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As The Creative Circus prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, the now Richmond based institution dedicated to creative advertising and design education has received a transformative lifeline. Thanks to the VCU School of Business Foundation, the Creative Circus is not only surviving but will thrive, with a renewed focus on foundational skills and creative craftsmanship.

This month, the Creative Circus unveils its newly launched program, culminating efforts to sustain and enhance its reputation as a leader in advertising education. The collaboration between VCU’s School of Business Foundation and the Creative Circus has been nothing short of groundbreaking.

This story begins with VCU’s acquisition of the Creative Circus, which came at a pivotal time. Tasked with the challenge of reopening the school and ensuring its continued success, Dr. Sharon Rauch, Director of Operations, an academic leader with a passion for creative education, took the helm. Joining her was Professor Berwyn Hung, who now serves as the Director of the Creative Circus, bringing a clear vision and commitment to maintaining the values established by the school’s founders.

“Our mission remains strong to prepare students for a career in the advertising industry,” said Dr. Rauch. “The support from the VCU School of Business Foundation has been invaluable in preserving and advancing that mission. Their belief in the importance of creative education has made all the difference.”

Professor Hung echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of honoring the Creative Circus’ legacy while paving the way for its future. “We’ve worked tirelessly to build a program that respects our history but also adapts to the evolving landscape of the advertising industry. The Foundation’s partnership has been key in making this vision a reality,” he said.

The turning point came with the involvement of Vann Graves, Executive Director of the VCU Brandcenter. Graves identified the Creative Circus as a natural complement to VCU’s existing programs and sought to build a robust support system for its relaunch. Recognizing the need for a strategic partner, he reached out to colleague Laura KottKamp, Executive Director of the VCU School of Business Foundation.

“We saw the Creative Circus as an institution that embodies the ideals of creativity and student accessibility,” Graves stated. “Dr. KottKamp and her team have been instrumental in turning that vision into reality.”

Founded in 2005, the VCU School of Business Foundation supports the VCU School of Business’ mission by providing resources for student education, faculty development, and groundbreaking research. This nonprofit organization’s dedication to fostering innovation made it the ideal partner for the Creative Circus’ resurgence.

Dr. Kottkamp expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “we are always eager to collaborate to make our campus partners successful. empowering students to achieve their full potential is one of our key tenets.”

As The Creative Circus embarks on this new chapter, the partnership with the VCU School of Business Foundation serves as a powerful reminder that belief in education and creativity can lead to transformative change. Together, they’ve ensured that the Creative Circus not only celebrates its 30th anniversary but also looks ahead to an even brighter future.