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
A second solo exhibition by alumnus Hugh Hayden '18, titled Hues, has opened at C L E A R I N G in Brussels. Hues continues to explore themes and techniques that Hayden began working with in Summer of 2019.
Playwriting Alumnus Jay Stull ’20 was recently named a finalist for the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition for his play, The Singularity Play.
Alumna Sara Davis '12 recently published her debut novel, The Scapegoat (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) and will read from the highly acclaimed work, as well as chat about the book with Adjunct Professor Hilary Leichter '12, at a virtual event for Point Reyes Books on May 25, 2021.
The Playwright’s Room is a series featuring the newest cohort of Columbia Playwriting students. These playwrights study under the tutelage of Associate Professor David Henry Hwang and Associate Professor Lynn Nottage.
Directing alumnus Jeffrey L. Page '19 is set to choreograph the outdoor stage production of Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Songs of George Gershwin for the Barrington Stage Company. The concert will be performed a total of 25 times between June 10 and July 3, 2021 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Alumna Jean Kyoung Frazier '18 has joined the writing team for a new Netflix dramedy called Beef, created by Lee Sung Jin (Dave, Tuca & Bertie).
The Miami production of Seven Deadly Sins will transfer to New York this summer.
Numerous Filmmakers will have their films screened online through May 31, 2021 as part of Visual Communications’ Asian Pacific Virtual Showcase.
Left Bank Books recently hosted Writing Alumnus G’Ra Asim ’18 for an evening of reading and conversation.
The Visual Arts and Sound Art Class of 2020 Thesis Exhibition is now on display at the Wallach Art Gallery.
The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses recently announced its shortlist for the 2021 Firecracker Awards, given annually "to celebrate books and magazines that make a significant contribution to our literary culture and the publishers that strive to introduce important voices to readers far and wide."
Film Independent recently announced that film alumnus Iesh Thapar '17 has been chosen to participate in their 2021 Screenwriting Lab.