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
For her thesis production, Kelly O’Donnell '21 directs a devised, brand-new, brave new production, New World Radio, inspired by radio drama and questions about our future.
Seven films by Columbia alumni will screen at the 17th annual Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles from September 23 until October 1, 2021. The festival will take place in person at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood as well as virtually.
During last month's Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund, the 2021 Arne Hestenes Journalism Award was presented to Writing alumna Ida Lødemel Tvedt '17. The award—which was founded in 1993 by Dagbladet journalist Arne Hestenes in collaboration with the Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund and Institute for Journalism—is awarded to journalists for outstanding work in cultural criticism.
Production has begun on La Cabeza de Joaquín Murrieta, a new action-packed Amazon Original series, co-created by alumnus Mauricio Leiva-Cock '13.
Alumnus Adam Salky ’08 will have his new film, Intrusion, premiere on Netflix later this month.
Adjunct Assistant Professor Julia Sanches and Writing alumna Tracy K. Smith '97 recently made the longlist for the 2021 National Translation Award. Sanches was longlisted for her prose translation of Natalia Borges Polesso's Amora: Stories (Amazon Crossing, 2020). Smith and co-translator Changtai Bi made the poetry longlist for My Name Will Grow Wide Like a Tree: Selected Poems (Graywolf Press, 2020) by Yi Lei.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
Lambda Literary recently announced the winners of their 2021 Lammys, naming alumna Nancy Agabian '03 the winner of their 2021 Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction.
Alumna Kristin Slaney ’16 was named one of Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2021 Sloan Playwriting Commission awardees.
Child in the Valley, a debut novel by alumnus Gordy Sauer '11, was released this week by Hub City Press to high praise from authors and reviewers.
Soon After First Light is a series where we talk craft, process, and pandemic with Columbia's accomplished writing professors.
Two Columbia Filmmakers have been awarded the prestigious 2021 Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowships. They are: alumnus Ryan Craver ’20, for his screenplay, Tadpole, and Film student Rachel Ward, in recognition of her screenplay, Typhoid Mary.