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
Columbia University Film and Media Studies BA alumna Peier Tracy Shen ’17 (CC) and MFA Film student Olive Nwosu are both featured in Who Will Start Another Fire, a nine-part film anthology presented by the new distribution initiative, Dedza Films.
Alumna Yuri Yuan ’21 was recently named one of the finalists of the 2021 AXA Art Prize Competition.
All the Frequent Troubles of our Days, a thrilling true story of the American leader of a resistance group in Nazi Germany by Writing alumna Rebecca Donner '01, will be released by Little Brown and Co on August 3, 2021.
Numerous projects helmed by Columbia University faculty and alumni have been nominated for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. They are: Dick Johnson Is Dead, The Social Dilemma, Lovecraft Country, Indian Matchmaking, and The Handmaid's Tale.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced its list of 2021 invitees, and four Film alumni are among them. Ben Odell '04 (Overboard, How to Be a Latin Lover) and Adjunct Professor Shrihari Sathe '09 (The Sweet Requiem, It Felt Like Love) have both been invited to join the Producer's Branch, Cherien Dabis '04 (May in the Summer, Amreeka) has been invited to join the Director's Branch, and Angela Tucker '05 (Belly of the Beast, (A)Sexual) has been invited to join the Documentary Branch.
Among the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the closest to home for the School of the Arts community has been the effect on students' MFA experience. Thanks to shut-downs and a switch to remote or hybrid learning, many of our students have not been able to showcase or even practice their art in a typical way.
The winners of Columbia@Roundabout's 2021 New Play Reading Series have been announced. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the series.
Professor Robert O'Hara ’96 and alumnus Torrey Townsend ’13 unite for a creative collaboration in Off Broadway, a biting new satirical comedy.
Playwriting student Alaudin Ullah’s singular play and one-man show, Dishwasher Dreams, will come to life once again at Hartford Stage in Connecticut during its 2021-2022 season.
Alumni Nicholas Payne Santos ’19 and Maya Korn ’19 were both selected to participate in the 2021 Frontières co-production genre market.
Derick Whitson ’17 is among the eight artists whose work comprises Mighty Joy, the new exhibition presented by SPANTZO Gallery.
Visual Arts alumnus Ben Hagari ’14 will have his work exhibited by Fundación CALOSA in Mexico as part of a new solo show.