A Welcome Message from Laila Maher
Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs
Now more than ever it is crucial for artists to be supported as they pursue their craft. The life of an artist as well as that of a student involves much more than the classroom and the work itself, and this is where the Office of Student Affairs comes in. In addition to guiding new students through the process of transitioning to the School of the Arts, we plan the School-wide orientation, School of the Arts Convocation, and support student groups, events, and activities.
We also play a critical role in connecting School of the Arts students to the larger university and necessary services, and help students navigate many of the central offices including Health Services (which houses the Office of Disability Services, Insurance, Immunization, and Counseling and Psychological Services), Columbia Residential, Public Safety, University Life, the International Students and Scholars Office, and the Registrar's Office. Our office also helps to uphold many of the School and University-wide policies and we manage the School’s disciplinary procedures.
The Artists’ Resource Center, also part of our Office, maintains information on funding opportunities and career resources for students and alumni at the Columbia University School of the Arts, and provides consultations to students and alumni to help them look for professional development opportunities and more.
After graduation, the Office of Alumni Affairs provides more than 7000 alumni artists, creators, and leaders with opportunities to stay connected with the School of the Arts, the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA), and one another through alumni programming, benefits, a monthly newsletter, and collaborations with CAA Arts Access.
Our ultimate goal is to support our students and alums while they pursue their education as valued members of our dynamic community and as they navigate their time after graduation.
Student & Alumni News
An interview with producer and Undergraduate Film alum Gabriel Mayers (CC '17).
Laurie Anderson '72 (BC '69) and Kambui Olujimi '13 are among the 110 artists invited to participate in the Venice Biennale's 61st International Art Exhibition, In Minor Keys, presenting works alongside the likes of Marcel Duchamp and Pauline Oliveros.
A slate of Columbia Film alums and faculty are screening their feature and short films at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place in theaters across lower Manhattan from June 3-14, 2026.
May 12 through 23 is an exciting time for the Film Program. It might mark the last weeks of spring before summer unofficially takes hold, but for a few lucky filmmakers, it means the 2026 Cannes Film Festival is underway.
Lizzie Zelter '22 has long been interested in interiors—the built environments we encounter in domestic, commercial, and bureaucratic settings—and how they invite intervention.
The National Book Foundation recently announced its list of the 5 Under 35 honorees for 2026. Among this year’s awardees are two School of the Arts MFA Writing alums, Anika Jade Levy '23, author of Flat Earth, and Stephanie Wambagu '24, author of Lonely Crowds.
Taiwan Travelogue, translated by Writing alum Lin King '22, has just been awarded the International Booker Prize.
This past month, two floors of the Lenfest Center for the Arts have been bustling with artists, visitors, and performers. Curated by Amal Issa, the Sound Art + Visual Arts Class of 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition comes to a close on Saturday, May 24, 2026.
Joana Urtasun '22 has published a translation of Between Fish Scales by Basque poet Leire Bilbao.
Swapped, a new animated feature written by Christian Magalhaes '10, Robert Snow '10 and Johan Whittington, enjoyed its Netflix premiere on May 1, 2026.
The 2026 Tony nominations are out, and the highest award in theatre has honored the work of dozens of Columbia theatre-makers.
Silent Voices, a short film directed and produced by Film students Nadine Jin and Yuwen Zhang respectively, has been accepted into the prestigious La Cinef short film competition at the 79th Festival de Cannes.