Community Members
Let’s design more impactful solutions together.
At the da Vinci Center, we believe innovation happens when communities and universities learn together. We connect partners, organizations, and changemakers with VCU students and faculty to explore challenges, test ideas, and design creative solutions that make a real impact.
Whether you’re a nonprofit, business, or individual innovator, we’ll meet you where you are, helping you imagine possibilities, build creative capacity, and launch ideas that move your work forward.
Featured Opportunities
Co-Host Innovation and Design Workshops
Collaborate with our team to design and co-host a fast-paced session tailored to your challenge. We’ll handle the facilitation and guide students, faculty, and staff through design thinking. You’ll leave with creative ideas, early prototypes, actionable insights for your organization, and opportunities to continue your work with engaged students.
Propose a Capstone Project
Partner with interdisciplinary student teams in University College courses to explore your challenge in depth. Students will research, ideate, and prototype solutions, while you provide feedback at key milestones. You’ll receive insights, deliverables, and documentation to inform next steps.
Custom Programming
Partner with us to design a hands-on session tailored to your team. We’ll help you apply design thinking and creative tools to achieve your goals.
Micro-Internships
Partner with VCU students through short-term, paid micro-internships. Bring new ideas to your projects while helping students apply their skills in real-world settings.
Turn curiosity into community. Join events, share ideas, and connect with others who are building, designing, and dreaming alongside you. Here’s how to get involved:
Time: Flexible, short modules
From Feedback Fridays and Demo Days to design jams, da Vinci events are where ideas come alive. Meet innovators, share your work, and find new collaborators.
Monday–Wednesday, 12–3 p.m.
Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W Broad Street
Connect with colleagues at da Vinci and University College, and discover new ways to bring creativity into your work. No RSVP needed.
Host a workshop, class, or event at the Shift Retail Lab (1235 W Broad Street) - a dynamic space designed for creativity and collaboration.
Get the latest workshops, design challenges, and stories of creativity from the da Vinci Community delivered straight to your inbox.
Not sure where to start?
We’d love to help you find your next step and explore ways to get involved. Email us at davincicenter@vcu.edu.