CU LT I VAT I N G C R E AT I V E T H I N K I N G
Portfolio Development Courses & Children’s Programs The goal of VCUQatar is to deal with every step of a student’s progress through our programs, from the moment one becomes a prospective student to the time that he or she has graduated into the ranks of VCU alumni. The community programs for children, the portfolio development classes and portfolio crit classes are important steps in this direction. They give older students the invaluable opportunity to sharpen their portfolios and get a taste of university life, while younger children explore and learn about art materials and design techniques to develop their appreciation and understanding of art and design in a fun and creative way. VCUQatar offered three portfolio development courses in Fall 2011 and four portolio crit classes in Spring 2012 to 95 high school students. The university also offered a short holiday program with classes in ceramics, painting, character drawing and animation to 35 Arabic-speaking girls below the ages of 12; and in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Affairs, created a skill-building program in graphic and fashion design for 20 female Qatari students. In the summer, VCUQatar offered community programs to 100 K-12 level students; it was taught by VCU Richmond’s art educators along with VCUQatar faculty. Design Intensive course was geared for students aged 16 and above; Creative Discovery targeted students aged 13–15, introducing them to art and design through creativity exercises, group activities and classes in drawing, painting, digital media. VCUQatar also offered opportunities for younger students, hosting week-long classes: Art Exploration for 10 to 12 year olds was offered for the second time; and a new course Art Fun, was introduced for students aged 5–9. The younger students transformed the Gallery into a wonderland of color, shapes and incredible creations in a whole variety of media.
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