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
The last two years have been busy for Film alumnus and novelist Garth Stein ’90.
Alumnus David Brooks ’09 has artwork in two shows, one of which includes artwork by fellow Columbia visual artist, Mentor Mark Dion.
The group show Happy Hardcore at Brooklyn-based Miriam Gallery features work by recent alumna Judy Chung ’18.
Alumnus Saheem Ali ’07 joins The Public Theater as one of its new Associate Artistic Directors, along with Shanta Thake.
Alumna Gethsemane Herron-Coward '19 was selected as one of the six winners at the 2020 Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival from Samuel French lead
The Nashville Film Festival’s Screenwriting Competition is underway with Has Been Beauty Queen, a script co-written by alumna Jennifer Gerber '13,
Alumna Felicia King ’18 joined the writers of Shakespeare Now, an anthology of adaptations of Shakespeare’s work for television.
Four Columbia films have been selected to show at the 58th New York Film Festival from September 17 to October 11.
The Telluride Film Festival released the official program selections to its 47th edition with two films by Columbia filmmakers on the list.
The oldest film festival in the world, the Venice International Film Festival, returns for its 77th edition from September 2 to September 12, 2020
Playwriting alumnus Johnny Lloyd ’20 has been named the Director of Artistic Development for the nonprofit, the Tank.
Conversations with Artists in Art Getting Art is a bi-weekly series and a play on Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.