Congratulations on being accepted to one of the nation’s top schools of arts and design! We can’t wait to see what you contribute to our vibrant community of artists, designers, performers and scholars.
We know choosing a university is a serious decision. We’re here to share seven reasons why you should choose VCUarts.
1. We’re top ranked.
VCUarts is among the top-ranked schools of arts and design in the country. That means you’ll graduate with credibility as an artist and a professional, with a degree that’s respected in the world of galleries, design and advertising firms, graduate schools, artistic directors and employers. When you graduate, you will join a global network of 25,000 VCUarts alums.
2. We’re not just an arts school.
You can find your path through our 16 arts departments and programs—but that’s not all. We capitalize on our place at the heart of a large public research university, meaning you can collaborate and learn with students and faculty from every corner of VCU, from engineering and business to medicine, technology and entrepreneurship.
3. You’ll love Richmond, Virginia.
Richmond is the perfect home for one of the nation’s leading public arts schools. You’ll be steps away from galleries and music venues, Fortune 500 companies and innovative start-ups, acres of parks and whitewater rapids. Plus, Washington, D.C., New York City, the beach and the mountains are all just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Our students regularly work, intern and volunteer with galleries, public parks, Hollywood film crews and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts—one of the largest art museums in the nation—all right here in Richmond. And the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU strengthens the link between VCUarts and the city’s creative cultures by serving as a space for internationally recognized artists, designers, performers and the community to convene.
4. You’ll get a global perspective.
Studying abroad can change your perspective and influence your creative work. At VCUarts, you can take part in a program led by our faculty, participate in an exchange program with a school in another country, or get a Dean’s International Research Grant to travel to new places and conduct research that matters to you. Our campus in Doha, Qatar, also offers opportunities to study abroad and participate in international conferences.
5. You’ll be welcome here.
VCUarts students are from all over the U.S.—and the world—and celebrate diversity in all of its forms. We have staff dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, and provide resources, counseling, training and events that encourage our faculty, staff and students to explore—and be inspired by—our diverse community.
6. You’ll learn from—and with—some of the best.
At VCUarts, our faculty are both teachers and doers. You’ll learn your craft from professors whose creative accomplishments have been seen in Tony Award-winning theater productions, nationally celebrated dance companies, world-class museums and international design competitions. We’re also a beacon for creatives—convening artists, designers and performers from every corner of the world. You’ll learn what it’s like to be a professional artist from conversations with practicing painters, sculptors and musicians, or from talking with pioneering curators and entrepreneurs about the business and culture of their work.
Your classmates will have just as much influence on your creative process. Check out myVCUarts for a candid look at how your future classmates find innovative ways of making, discover new ideas, and work through creative challenges.
7. You’ll love it here.
You don’t have to take our word for it—our students rave about their decision to come to VCUarts. Watch these videos in which students share their experiences in the classroom, in their studios, in Richmond and beyond.
Ready to commit?
Visit ugradaccepted.vcu.edu to accept your offer of admission and submit your tuition deposit. Please refer to your acceptance letter for your candidate reply deadline.
If you have more questions, contact the admissions team for help.