VCU will host a Creative Jam experience to give students and faculty learning and creating opportunities using the Adobe suite of software programs, which are available free to all VCU students. The week begins with an orientation and overview of softwares and will wrap up with student-made materials judged for prizes and presented in a finale session.

Billed as Adobe Week at VCU, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, the week’s purpose is to learn, explore and create using these programs. “Access to the Adobe suite can be a game changer for students looking to go into creative fields, and we’re excited to equip them with the knowledge they need to get started,” Oscar Keyes, the teaching and learning librarian in The Workshop. Cabell Library’s The Workshop provides hardware, software, spaces and expertise to help the VCU community produce creative work of all kinds. Practically, that means concentrating in three main areas: graphics, audio and video projects; the world of hands-on making; and exploring new and emerging technologies. 

“The da Vinci Center is prototyping the future of higher education, and we are thrilled to be joined by such an innovative technology leader in Adobe to help expand access to critical 21st Century skills such as digital literacy and design thinking,” said Garret Westlake, Ph.D., executive director at the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation. “Making digital literacy a priority for all students and faculty across all disciplines is the goal underlying the partnership between VCU and Adobe.” 

VCU students, faculty, and staff have free access to all Adobe Creative Cloud apps on any device, for use at any time. This means that any class in any discipline becomes an avenue for students to practice digital literacy through critical thinking, problem solving and creative communication.

The upcoming Creative Jam is organized by VCU Libraries, the da Vinci Center and Academic Technologies.  

In addition to the main event–a creative competition with prizes–workshops for faculty and students and a networking event are planned. All events are free and open to all students. See the full schedule of events online.  

Creative Jam kickoff on Monday, Oct. 31
Noon to 4 p.m., James Branch Cabell Library Lecture Hall (room 303)

All students are invited to drop by for games, snacks and giveaways and informal one-on-one coaching on Adobe Creative Cloud. All VCU students have free access to Adobe Cloud products.   

Noon to 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31
Hallow-Screen at The Workshop
The Workshop, Lower Level, Cabell Library  

Join The Workshop for a night of spooky spectacles, haunted hosts and wicked works of art. This year's Hallow Screen event will be a curated collection of student-made works using creative technologies including green screen demonstrations. Wear your costumes. Works may include video art, sound art, film, photography, virtual/augmented reality, video games, interactive art and more.

4-5:30 p.m.
Creative Jam Kickoff
Cabell Library Lecture Hall, Room 303

The official creative challenge begins with a focus on Adobe Rush, a video editing app with desktop and mobile tools for audio, motion graphics and other elements that make video creation a snap. The creative challenge will be announced. An expert trainer will demonstrate how to use Rush. Instruction will be for beginners and more experienced creators.  

Tuesday, November 1
Noon to 1 p.m.
Adobe Express (for Faculty)
Virtual Workshop: Registration Link

This hands-on workshop covers the basics of designing and assigning creative digital projects such as podcasts, infographics, and video projects.

5-6 p.m. 
Adobe Rush (for Students)
Virtual Workshop: Registration Link

Participants will learn the basics of creating video content using Adobe Rush. This editor is excellent for resizing and sharing materials across social media platforms.

6-7 p.m.  
First-time Comic Creator Workshop
Virtual Workshop: Registration Link
Facilitator: Leah Bonanni, The Workshop 

This interactive workshop is for beginner-level comic creators, both artists and non-artists. Participants will make their own simple comic layouts using Adobe Express with stock images or simple drawings. This workshop is in partnership with the 2023 Jurgen Comics Contest at VCU Libraries.[LINK] 

Wednesday, November 2
Noon to 1 p.m.  
Adobe Rush (for Faculty)
Virtual Workshop: Registration Link

This interactive workshop for faculty focuses on using Adobe Rush for video creation and how to integrate the software into online instructional content or for assigning video projects.  

3–4:30 p.m.  
Inclusive Teaching with the Adobe Creative Cloud
Virtual Workshop: Registration Link

This seminar addresses equity and accessibility issues that can arise when designing or assigning digital media projects. By the end of this session, faculty participants will be able to see how to use creative assignments in their courses and overcome any  technological barriers to student success. 

Thursday, November 3

3-4 p.m.  
Adobe After Effects for All
Cabell Library, Room 203  
Registration Link

Students should bring their laptops to this session designed for beginners using After Effects to make animated motion graphics.  

6-8 p.m.  

Student Networking Night
Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W Broad Street

Students, faculty, alumni and others in the VCU community gather at the Shift Retail Lab. 

Friday, November 4

12:30 - 2:00 p.m. 
Adobe Portfolio Workshop with Career Services and VCUarts
Art Foundation (top floor of the Bowe Street Parking Deck), Room 535

Need help creating a portfolio? Majors in the School of the Arts are invited to a session on how to use Adobe Portfolio to showcase work.  

3 – 5 p.m. 
Adobe Rush Creative Jam Awards Ceremony
Cabell Library Lecture Hall, Room 303

Winners in the Creative Jam will be announced. Their work will be shown on the large screen in the Lecture Hall. A panel of experts will score each team’s finished project against criteria, select winners and provide feedback to the teams. Winners will receive prizes..