Doha, Qatar: Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner university, has opened registration for its 2026 Summer Art & Design Programmes offering preparatory courses for students aged 16-18, alongside programmes for middle school students.
“Early exposure to interdisciplinary art and design education plays a critical role in how students understand their creative potential and future pathways. These programmes are designed to mirror the academic depth and exploratory nature of our undergraduate experience, giving participants the opportunity to engage with both traditional practices and emerging technologies,” explained Rasha Alkasab, Programme Manager for Community and Continuing Education at VCUarts Qatar.
“By building technical skills alongside critical thinking and creative confidence, we are helping students make more informed decisions about pursuing a creative education at a university level.”
Held at the VCUarts Qatar campus from July 12—August 6, the four-week programmes offer a wide range of techniques, including 3D modeling and printing, digital artwork, virtual reality spatial design, visual storytelling and portfolio development.
For students aged 16-18, week one introduces participants to the fundamental principles of art and design, such as drawing, model-making, illustration, and art artistic expression. Students will also learn about VCUarts Qatar’s four core majors: Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting and Printmaking, and Kinetic Imaging.
In the following weeks, students will explore a discipline of their choice through coursework modeled on the University’s art curriculum. The programme provides firsthand experience of campus life and studio-based practice. An optional fourth week focuses on portfolio development for university applications.
For students aged 11-15, the Summer Children’s Programme features two courses: Creative Chronicles and Beyond the Layer: From Digital Models to Physical Artifacts.
In Creative Chronicles, participants will learn to develop fictional characters, storylines, and digital artworks, before transforming their ideas into immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experiences using tools such as Tilt Brush and Open Brush. Throughout the programme, participants will learn spatial drawing, 3D sketching, environmental design, and mixed-media artmaking techniques to create immersive virtual spaces.
The course concludes with participants presenting their projects through VR walkthroughs, recorded experiences, and short presentations explaining their creative process.
