Latest news with #VCUartsQatar
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- General
- Qatar Tribune
DDD and VCUarts Qatar collaborate tofoster sustainability through design
QNA Doha Doha Design District (DDD) and VCUarts Qatar have collaborated with artist Abdelrahman Al Muftah to design an innovative, sustainable sanctuary for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. The Bird Cluster project, which includes a planter, bird nest, watering tray and feeding tray, has been brought to life in Msheireb as part of DDD's commitment to advancing Qatar's Vision 2030, a future driven by sustainability and innovation. By encouraging collaboration and empowering emerging designers, this project exemplifies how DDD and VCUarts Qatar are cultivating local talent to create impactful solutions that benefit the community. Director of Doha Design District Dana Kazic said: 'This collaboration with VCUarts Qatar and Abdulrahman Al Muftah reflects our mission to nurture creativity and empower young designers to address real-world challenges through meaningful design. By merging sustainability with innovation, we're not only working towards contributing to our national vision but also inspiring the next generation of designers to think critically about their role in shaping a better future for our society.' Rab McClure, professor and director, MFA in Design, VCUarts Qatar, said: 'The Bird Cluster project embodies significant and meaningful ideas. It stands out for its research-driven design approach, supported through the collaborative efforts of VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District. This work exemplifies the kind of locally rooted, socially conscious design we strive to cultivate, creating projects that help to advance the broader vision of a sustainable urban environment for all.' Al Muftah worked closely with DDD and VCUarts Qatar to ensure the structure was both sustainable and innovative. Inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, the design seamlessly integrates into the urban landscape while providing functional nesting spaces for smaller birds. The compact yet secure structure features entry points specifically designed to exclude larger invasive species, ensuring a haven for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. This attention to detail highlights the project's dual focus on preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with the environment. Abdulrahman Al Muftah, designer of The Bird Cluster, expressed: 'Working with Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar's Boost Lab to bring this project to life was truly rewarding. As a designer, I'm passionate about integrating flora and fauna into public spaces because it creates environments that support biodiversity and multiple species can thrive together. For me, thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics - it's about understanding and considering the broader environmental impact of what we create. Every design decision ripples outward, affecting not just human users but entire ecosystems.' This initiative emphasises the broader significance of collaborative efforts between DDD and VCUarts Qatar. By bringing together creative minds, local expertise, and forward-thinking design principles, projects like this contribute meaningfully to society, benefiting both the environment and the community. Through this partnership, DDD and VCUarts Qatar continue to demonstrate how design can be a powerful tool for driving positive change and building a more sustainable future for Qatar.
Zawya
5 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar collaborate to foster sustainability through design
Doha, Qatar: Doha Design District (DDD) and VCUarts Qatar have collaborated with artist Abdelrahman Al Muftah to design an innovative, sustainable sanctuary for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. The Bird Cluster project, which includes a planter, bird nest, watering tray, and feeding tray, has been brought to life in Msheireb as part of DDD's commitment to advancing Qatar's Vision 2030, a future driven by sustainability and innovation. By encouraging collaboration and empowering emerging designers, this project exemplifies how DDD and VCUarts Qatar are cultivating local talent to create impactful solutions that benefit the community. Dana Kazic, Director of Doha Design District said: 'This collaboration with VCUarts Qatar and Abdulrahman Al Muftah reflects our mission to nurture creativity and empower young designers to address real-world challenges through meaningful design. By merging sustainability with innovation, we're not only working towards contributing to our national vision but also inspiring the next generation of designers to think critically about their role in shaping a better future for our society.' Rab McClure, Professor and Director, MFA in Design, VCUarts Qatar said: ' The Bird Cluster project embodies significant and meaningful ideas. It stands out for its research-driven design approach, supported through the collaborative efforts of VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District. This work exemplifies the kind of locally rooted, socially conscious design we strive to cultivate, creating projects that help to advance the broader vision of a sustainable urban environment for all.' Al Muftah worked closely with DDD and VCUarts Qatar to ensure the structure was both sustainable and innovative. Inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, the design seamlessly integrates into the urban landscape while providing functional nesting spaces for smaller birds. The compact yet secure structure features entry points specifically designed to exclude larger invasive species, ensuring a haven for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. This attention to detail highlights the project's dual focus on preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with the environment. Abdulrahman Al Muftah, designer of The Bird Cluster, expressed: 'Working with Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar's Boost Lab to bring this project to life was truly rewarding. As a designer, I'm passionate about integrating flora and fauna into public spaces because it creates environments that support biodiversity and multiple species can thrive together. For me, thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics - it's about understanding and considering the broader environmental impact of what we create. Every design decision ripples outward, affecting not just human users but entire ecosystems.' This initiative emphasises the broader significance of collaborative efforts between DDD and VCUarts Qatar. By bringing together creative minds, local expertise, and forward-thinking design principles, projects like this contribute meaningfully to society, benefiting both the environment and the community. Through this partnership, DDD and VCUarts Qatar continue to demonstrate how design can be a powerful tool for driving positive change and building a more sustainable future for Qatar. About Doha Design District Doha Design District (DDD), located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is a leading hub for design, innovation, and cultural exchange in Qatar. Guided by a vision to position Doha as the capital of creative imagination, DDD serves as a platform where design is continuously reimagined, challenged, and celebrated. With a clear mission to inspire a design movement, DDD supports emerging and established talent, facilitates international and cross-sector collaboration, and creates purposeful experiences across a programme of exhibitions, installations, workshops, and talks. As a strategic initiative of Msheireb Properties, DDD plays an important role in advancing Qatar's National Vision 2030, contributing to cultural development, innovation-led growth, and a more sustainable, creative-based economy.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Msheireb Museums unveils wide-ranging summer workshops this month
DOHA Msheireb Museums has announced wide-ranging workshops this August as part of its 2025 Summer Programme. It has successfully engaged young cultural ambassadors throughout July, further establishing its reputation as Qatar's leading heritage education destination whilst building anticipation for August's expanded programming. It further added that the programme's initial success stems to its distinctive approach to cultural preservation, moving beyond traditional display methods to create immersive, participatory experiences that connect the country's heritage with contemporary creative expression. Its mission is to raise awareness, foster a love of reading and discovery, as well as change how people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment. This month workshops include a digital art session inspired by Qatari architecture, targeting participants aged 10 and above, a clay and storytelling workshop designed for children aged 6 to 12, and a visual storytelling session using collage and drawing, open to participants aged 8 and above. In addition, an inclusive discovery camp will be held, tailored for children and youth with diverse educational needs. "The success of this summer programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships can transform heritage education. By combining DDD's design expertise with Msheireb's cultural vision and the excellence of various stakeholders, we're creating meaningful pathways for young people to engage with Qatar's rich architectural heritage while developing contemporary creative skills," noted Dana Kazic, Director of Doha Design District. For her part, Director of Strategic Engagement at VCUarts Qatar Lejla Niksic highlighted: "This collaboration with Msheireb Museums and Doha Design District reflects a shared commitment to strategic, impact-driven partnerships that advance arts and design education through cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem rooted in innovation, contemporary practice and cultural heritage. The Community Education programme at VCUarts Qatar aims to expand access to meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that empower participants of all ages to engage with art and design in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and future-focused, and this collaborative summer programme was perfectly aligned with this mission". The Museums has so far organized a series of diverse workshops last July, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar and the Doha Design District. The programme featured exceptional educational and cultural experiences, including an interior design workshop that explored the traditional architectural principles of Radwani House; a creative patterns session examining the distinctive architectural vocabulary of Msheireb, and an Arabic calligraphy workshop aimed at preserving the classical Diwani script tradition.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Msheireb Museums' Summer Programme advances cultural education
Tribune News Network Doha Msheireb Museums' 2025 Summer Programme has successfully engaged young cultural ambassadors throughout July, further establishing its reputation as Qatar's leading heritage education destination whilst building anticipation for August's expanded programming. The programme's initial success stems to Msheireb Museums' distinctive approach to cultural preservation – moving beyond traditional display methods to create immersive, participatory experiences that connect the country's heritage with contemporary creative expression. July achievements through strategic collaboration The partnership between Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) and Doha Design District (DDD) delivered outstanding cultural learning experiences: Interior Design: Past Meets Present enabled participants to examine Radwani House's traditional architectural principles whilst developing contemporary design solutions that honour cultural authenticity. Creative Msheireb Patterns engaged participants in exploring Msheireb's distinctive architectural vocabulary through design-focused art techniques and the Arabic Calligraphy workshops preserved classical Dewani script traditions through heritage-inspired narrative creation. Moreover, CamelCode's innovative technology integration proved particularly successful, with Reviving the Past Through Robotics demonstrating how contemporary tools can enhance historical understanding. The Memory-Inspired Game Design sessions encouraged participants to recreate family and community narratives into interactive digital experiences, offering a contemporary way to engage with heritage through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital media. August programming: connecting heritage with creativity Building upon July's achievements, the August programming continues to showcase a range of workshops led by VCUarts Qatar, in collaboration with DDD, inviting participants to connect with Qatar's cultural heritage through both traditional craftsmanship and modern artistic techniques. The sessions include digital art inspired by Qatari architecture, clay and storytelling activities designed for younger participants, and visual storytelling using collage and illustration based on Msheireb's cultural themes. Alongside these, CamelCode continues to offer its technology-focused workshops, enabling participants to engage with heritage through robotics, memory-inspired game design, and immersive virtual experiences. This month features the comprehensive Inclusive Discovery Outing Camp by Life Skills Hub, running from 3 to 28 August at Msheireb Museums This pioneering programme ensures cultural accessibility for children and young adults with diverse learning requirements through specially designed activities, educational outings, and sensory experiences. 'The success of this summer programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships can transform heritage education. By combining DDD's design expertise with Msheireb's cultural vision and the excellence of various stakeholders, we're creating meaningful pathways for young people to engage with Qatar's rich architectural heritage while developing contemporary creative skills,' noted Dana Kazic, director of Doha Design District. 'This collaboration with Msheireb Museums and Doha Design District reflects a shared commitment to strategic, impact-driven partnerships that advance arts and design education through cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem rooted in innovation, contemporary practice and cultural heritage. 'The Community Education programme at VCUarts Qatar aims to expand access to meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that empower participants of all ages to engage with art and design in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and future-focused, and this collaborative summer programme was perfectly aligned with this mission,' added Lejla Niksic, director of Strategic Engagement at VCUarts programming focuses on heritage innovation
ILoveQatar.net
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ILoveQatar.net
VCUarts Qatar's year end show Art and Design Now 2025 officially opens
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university, has officially opened its highly anticipated Year End Show: Art and Design Now 2025 to the public. The exhibition will run from 5 May to 5 July at M7 in Msheireb Downtown Doha. A special opening event was held on Sunday, 4 May, drawing a full house of over a thousand attendees. The evening welcomed key figures from Qatar's creative industries, industry partners, members of the joint advisory board, university leadership, faculty, and proud family and friends of the graduating students. The exhibition showcases the innovative and often boundary-pushing work of VCUarts Qatar's graduating students. It features projects from the undergraduate programs in Art History, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting + Printmaking, and Fashion Design, as well as the Master of Fine Arts in Design program. For the first time, the exhibition also includes contributions from Foundation Year students and the newly launched Bachelor of Fine Arts in Kinetic Imaging. Students have explored a wide range of media and techniques in their final projects, incorporating light, sound, video, animation, textile design, silk printing, fabrication technology, typography, coding, digital painting, screen printing, lithography, and photographic techniques. The result is a dynamic and diverse showcase of creativity and technical skill. 'Reflecting on the extraordinary range of themes and creative expressions presented by our students, I'm truly inspired by the depth and originality of their work,' said Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts Qatar. 'This year's cohort has produced an outstanding body of work that speaks to a wide array of ideas—from vibrant celebrations of Qatari culture to innovative designs that carry powerful messages of hope, sustainability, and social awareness. The M7 space provides a dynamic and fitting backdrop for this diverse showcase of emerging talent. I encourage the public to experience it firsthand—there's something meaningful and memorable for everyone.' The launch also coincided with 'Hayakom', VCUarts Qatar's traditional welcome event for newly admitted students for the Fall 2025 semester. After visiting the campus, incoming students and their families were invited to continue on to explore the Year End Show at M7, offering them a firsthand look at the creativity, energy, and achievement that define the school's dynamic academic and artistic culture. VCUarts Qatar offers undergraduate degrees in Kinetic Imaging, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting + Printmaking, and a BA in Art History, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Design. To learn more about VCUarts Qatar and its programs, visit Source and cover image credit: Press release
