School of the Arts Honors Celebrated Artists at Spring Gala

On the evening of March 25, 2024, under the spectacular dome of Low Library, 250 guests gathered for the Columbia University School of the Arts’ annual Spring Gala. Alumni, artists, and art lovers alike came together to celebrate the School and recognize the stellar accomplishments of the night’s three honorees.

This year, visual artist Hugh Hayden received the Award for Excellence in the Creative Arts, and iconic theater producer Paul Libin and powerhouse documentary producer Sheila Nevins both received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Following a cocktail reception in the Faculty Room, Katharina Otto-Bernstein, Chair of the School of the Arts Dean’s Council, who co-chaired the event along with Barbara Whitman, opened the evening’s ceremonies. “Art and artists preserve the history of our time,” she said. “They record our present, and their creativity and imagination pave the path for the future. Art is perhaps the most important discipline.”

Otto-Bernstein then introduced Interim Dean Sarah Cole, who expressed her pride by saying, “This is what we do in the School: We stand on the Columbia campus, and we create meaningful and bracing new ideas that help to shape the world around us, in a spirit of reciprocity. There was never a moment when the School could be seen as locked in the ivory tower; we are and always have been a place where the very big world and the creative imagination of the Columbia student or faculty member meet…and where the works of human accomplishment are studied and propelled.”

After gracious remarks from Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, award-winning British actor Callum Francis took to the stage to perform a poignant rendition of "Hold Me in Your Heart," from hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots. The performance was followed by dinner and the presentation of awards.

School of the Arts Dean's Council member Ramona Bronkar Bannayan presented the Award for Excellence in the Creative Arts to Hayden, whose work transforms the most ordinary objects—skillets, tree limbs, school desks—into the extraordinary, challenging our perceptions of ourselves and the environment. After noting the exceptional trajectory of Hayden's career, Bannayan shared a humorous story of Hayden's early days at the School of the Arts, revealing that his work with discarded Christmas trees required enrolling him in a fire-safety course.

Next, Otto-Bernstein returned to the stage to present the Award for Lifetime Achievement to fellow filmmaker, Sheila Nevins, who is widely considered the inventor of the modern documentary. Otto-Bernstein's remarks and an accompanying video presentation emphasized Nevins's early determination to follow her passions in the male-dominated film industry against difficult odds. Attendees included many filmmakers and producers whose careers were influenced by Nevins.

Finally Whitman took the stage, joined by Hal Luftig, to present the Award for Lifetime Achievement to Libin, who has produced more than 250 productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and on tour over the course of his decades-long career. Libin, former President of Circle in the Square Theatre, is also a former School of the Arts professor. His appearance on stage and warm remarks met with rousing applause from his students and mentees who credit their own successes to Libin's guidance. 

The award ceremony was capped by Tony Award-winning Broadway star Ali Stroker, who performed a lively rendition of "Can't Say No" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!, accompanied on piano by her music director Patrick Thompson. At the close of the evening, each attendee received a signature print by Visual Arts alumnus Garrett Ball, winner of the Betty Lee Stern Prize.