Qatar Week 2026 Brings Vcuarts Qatar And Vcuarts Communities Together

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Week 2026 brought Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar's (VCUarts Qatar) creative research, international exhibitions, and new academic ambitions to its home campus in Richmond, Virginia, connecting university leaders, faculty, students, and alumni across Virginia Commonwealth University's two art and design campuses.

The week opened with an October 12 reception at Scott House, where VCU president Michael Rao and Provost Arturo Saavedra welcomed colleagues and guests. VCUarts dean Carmenita Higginbotham and VCUarts Qatar dean Amir Berbić reflected on the strength of the two-campus partnership and the opportunities it creates for students, creative research and international blade-->

Connections with students and alumni gave those remarks a personal dimension. Students shared their interests and perspectives, while alumni spoke about their careers and the ways their education continues to shape their choices, work and ambitions. These exchanges offered a view of the university's impact through the people who carry it forward.

“Our relationship with Richmond is central to who we are and what we can achieve,” said Berbić.“This week brought that relationship into focus through the work of our faculty, the ambitions of our students and the experiences of our alumni. It also gave us time to think together about what comes next, from new academic opportunities to collaborations that draw on the strengths of both blade-->

The programme highlighted VCUarts Qatar's growing international reach, including its participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale through Aghrab Idrāk | Thresholds of Perception. Organised by the university's Institute for Creative Research, the exhibition brings together faculty, alumni, students, and international collaborators in work that explores the relationships between art, design, and technology. It remains open in Venice through November 22.

Discussions also looked ahead to VCUarts Qatar's forthcoming Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, planned to welcome its first cohort in fall 2027. With design at its core, the degree combines rigorous design study with a focused interdisciplinary learning area. Drawing on Qatar Foundation's Education City Multiversity, it will give students opportunities to apply design methods and creative thinking to challenges in other fields.

Qatar Week closed with faculty PechaKucha presentations that gave audiences a direct look into current creative research. Through the concise presentation format, faculty shared the ideas, methods and questions driving their projects, opening further conversations about their work and its possibilities.

Conversations will continue as colleagues develop opportunities for collaboration and begin shaping next year's Qatar Week.

Qatar Week 2026 VCUarts Qatar creative research international collaboration

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