• The 2009 US News & World Report Visual Arts and Design rankings have just been released and VCUarts is once again ranked as the #1 public university school of arts and design in the country. Click here for all our ranking information.

• The VCUarts Commencement will take place Saturday May 17 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center at noon, following the University ceremony which takes place at 10:00 a.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. Students should arrive at the Convention Center at 11:30. There are no tickets required.

VCU School of the Arts in Qatar holds its 7th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at 5 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton in Doha, Qatar. Thirty-nine students will graduate including 5 from Fashion Design, 23 in Graphic Design, 10 from Interior Design and one Interior and Fashion Design double major.

• In Fall 2008, the award winning French feature film writer/director Mr. Claude Miller, the director of "Un Secret" (2007), "La Classe de Neige" (1998), and "The Accompanist" (1992) will be the Distinguished Director in Residence at VCUarts Cinema. He won the Cesar for screenwriting in 1981 for "Garde a vue" and is one of the major producer/directors in France.
Prof. Miller is also the President of La Femis film school in Paris.

• VCU Dance alumni and faculty were a strong force at the 2008 Performática Festival in Puebla, Mexico which took place March 24-April 4. Co-directed by Mayra Morales and Ray Eliot Schwartz (VCU Dance alumnus 1992), professors of dance at Fundación Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Performática is a festival, a conference, a workshop, a community builder, an exchange project, and a creative vision. VCU participation included Jason Somma, Rob Petres, Damion Bond, Reggie Crump, and Rachael Shaw, all of whom taught classes and performed and presented their own work. VCU Dance faculty member Scott Putman also taught and performed a self-created solo, and faculty member Lea Marshall performed a solo created by alumna Damion Bond.

• Interior Design faculty members Rab McClure and Kevin Wyllie both won design awards at the International Interior Design Educators Council Conference in Montreal, Canada. Rab won for his Breezecatcher's house and Kevin for a restaurant design.

• Music professor Taylor Barnett has announced the release of his debut album. "For Someone" features the Taylor Barnett 10-tet playing 10 of his original compositions, including new arrangements of pieces by Bela Bartok and John Lennon.

• VCU School of the Arts in Qatar hosted an Oscar-themed Leadership Awards Night 2008 to recognize students who participate in student clubs, activities and workshops. The categories and winners include adviser - Mahmoud Abdulaziz; coach - Seth Ganz and Jesse Ulmer; quiet influence - Maha Adheir; outstanding leader - Sara Mustafawi; emerging leader - Khaoula al-Asmakh; best activity - Miriam Greiss, student organization - Isadora and Al Dar Club. The work study students of the year winners were Cynthia Batir and Anfal Berair.

• Photography and Film BFA alumnus Lucas Krost, who was the local winner of the 48-Hour Film Festival, has just learned that he will be showing his six minute film "Feels Like Drowning" at the Cannes Film Festival.