Giving Opportunities

Why Give?

Choosing to become an artist is always a brave undertaking. Such a life requires unencumbered time for creative work, a willingness to take risks and an acceptance that success might be elusive, and, if it does happen, it might take years. Nonetheless, our students come to the School of the Arts to focus intensely on their practice in visual arts, writing, theatre, and film. The School of the Arts is among the finest graduate art schools in the world—your support helps the School continue to attract the very best students and faculty, facilitate collaboration across all disciplines, and take our artists’ work to ever larger audiences. 

Naming Opportunities

Consider honoring a friend or memorializing a loved one with a gift starting at $10,000. You can also establish an endowed fund, one of the most powerful ways to have a lasting impact, as endowment gifts support students, faculty, and programs for centuries to come.

Giving Opportunities

Man hanging mural
Support the Next Generation of Artists

At this moment of unprecedented challenges, we are doubling our efforts to recruit and support our student artists. Over the next five years, we will partner with extraordinary alumni, families, and friends to raise 50 new full scholarships for student artists at Columbia. Every gift from our donors is meaningful and signals the belief that artists and their work are essential to society.

Actors on stage
Support the Next Generation of Artists Matching Program

Columbia University School of the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of a Matching Program for endowed fellowship gifts.

Artist working
Student Relief

Help build the Student Relief Fund, which provides much-needed relief for emergency travel, rent relief, groceries, and more.

Students in classroom
Student Support for Fellowship

Make a gift towards student fellowships through the Student Support Fund—one of the most valuable ways to support School of the Arts students.

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Art Discretionary

Provide general support of the School of the Arts for wherever they are most needed in a given year.

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Student Productions

Support art production directly by providing funds for student projects. Gifts will help emerging artists create the work that will launch their careers.

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Student Showcases

Support the annual Columbia University Film Festival, the Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition, Columbia Stages Theatre productions, and the annual Writing Program Anthology. These showcases launch student careers and afford emerging artists essential exposure on the global stage.

Professors David Henry Hwang and Lynn Nottage on stage
Teaching and Curriculum

Make a gift in support of our talented, visionary faculty and the work they do to help our students grow through intensive engagement with their craft and lively, often profound exchanges of ideas and work.

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Lenfest Center for the Arts

Columbia University School of the Arts’ Lenfest Center for the Arts is home to exhibitions, theatrical performances, and lectures that present new artistic voices and perspectives from around the globe. Contact Roberta Albert to learn more about naming opportunities.