Message from Dean Cole

At the School of the Arts, we believe that in pushing the bounds of creative expression, we contribute to our societies, helping to shape our collective future for the better. There can be no society that does not benefit from the arts. Whatever form it takes, whether it aims to disrupt, entertain, amaze, soothe, teach, or demand urgent change, art does something; it forces us to think deeply, to see our surroundings and ourselves anew, and it finds ways to reimagine what connects us all, our humanity. 

The School of the Arts at Columbia University is an intellectual home for great artists and scholars, both established and in formation, who work across and among the areas of film, theatre, visual arts, and writing. Our faculty and alumni are leading figures in their fields, true luminaries who inspire us with their work, and our students stand ready, when they graduate, to add their own creative voices to this august tradition. These artists never cease to dazzle with their creativity and productivity, in work that is original, pressing, innovative, beautiful, challenging, and much more.

Our School is thoroughly integrated into the arts world of New York City, a scene that is unmatched for its depth, diversity and richness. Our students and faculty take full advantage of this remarkable place, including participating in the arts communities of our neighborhoods in Morningside Heights, on the Upper West Side, and Manhattanville, in West Harlem.

Ours is a breathtaking community of artists working at the height of their fields—screening their work at the world’s most renowned film festivals and within major movie-houses, creating and starring in performances at some of the most established venues in the theatrical industry, exhibiting perspective-shifting work in major museums and internationally acclaimed art galleries and throughout the public sphere, and publishing writing in the most distinguished venues. Our faculty and alumni have been awarded the highest recognition in their fields, including Academy, Emmy, and Tony Awards, MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, Guggenheim Fellowships, Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, and the Nobel Prize for Literature.

In challenging moments, artists are always at the forefront, and our faculty, students and alumni are no exception. Their work helps to lead us through the most torturous times, not because it evades the pressing issues, but because it addresses them. 

We hope you will take time to peruse our news, where you will find detailed this most remarkable panoply of artists and their creative output, along with an array of free events and initiatives. If you are looking to engage one of the most exciting locales for art-making in the world, the School of the Arts is for you. For prospective students, our Admissions & Financial Aid Office is eager to help guide you through the extraordinary possibilities our School offers.

Sincerely,
Sarah Cole, Dean, Columbia University School of the Arts