We believe that the arts can foster conversations across lines of difference, create shared experiences that bring people to a place of mutual understanding, inspire empathy and compassion, and lead to innovative collaborations that benefit us all.

As an arts and design school that operates within a Research I university, we maintain a special commitment to collaboration, research, excellence and creating for the public good. We foster programs and discoveries that confront real-world challenges through interdisciplinary arts research, such as using dance to address systems of racial oppression, or building empathy in health practitioners towards ALS patients using VR.

We support our community of artists, designers, performers and scholars in their ability to catalyze transformational knowledge and to contribute new insights and understanding to the institution and the world.

Explore

Partnerships and programs formed with the support of VCUarts Research

v c u students working at Middle of Broad studio

Middle of Broad (mOb studiO)

mOb is an experimental design lab uniting the departments of Graphic Design, Fashion Design and Interior Design, and engaging the school’s up and coming designers.

students collaborating in a classroom working on laptops

Center for the Creative Economy (CCE)

CCE promotes the creative economy at VCUarts through The Entrepreneurship Program; and Co-Lab, a post-disciplinary internship program.

Summer Intensive Cinema Students filming Prety When You Die, a film that explores the not too hidden underbelly of influencer culture at the Canal Walk Murals.

iCubed

VCU iCubed – The Racial Equity, Arts and Culture Transdisciplinary Core fosters critical dialogue about and develops mechanisms for advancing the fair treatment of people of all races in and through arts and culture.