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
Great American Desert, a collection of short stories by alumna Terese Svoboda '78, is a finalist for the Foreword Book Award.
Bye Bye Body, written and directed by current student Charlotte Benbeniste and produced by current student Barbara Twist, was selected to screen at
Current Student Moara Passoni’s debut feature film, Ecstasy, screened online as part of the CPH:DOX Festival in late March.
Conversations with Artists in Art Getting Art is a bi-weekly series and a play on Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Darling, directed and co-written by current student Saim Sadiq, co-written by current student Rodney Llaverias, co-produced by current student Jasm
Alumna and Visual Arts Adjunct Assistant Professor Alex Strada '16 is a recipient of the 2020 NYFA Women’s Fund for her documentar
Current student Aika Akhmetova ’20 and recent graduate Bat-Ami Rivlin ’19 are both recipients of this year’s A.I.
Columbia undergraduate alumna Anna Winger '93, along with Alexa Karolinski, created the acclaimed series Unorthodox, which premiered on Netflix Mar
As if nature were mirroring her own erratic life, the unnamed narrator of The Inland Sea by alumna Madeleine Watts ‘19 ca
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
Stars Behind The Stars is a bi-weekly series featuring theatre makers behind the scenes.
Current student Nicole Caplain Kelly has been awarded a Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University.