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
Film student Adewale Olukayode has been nominated for this year's NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form, Live Action for his film Home The film was produced by alumni Jungyoon Kim ’20 and Najah Diop ’20, and film student Henry Arroyo. There were four other short form films nominated in the category.
Recently the National Endowment for the Arts announced the recipients of its 2021 Creative Writing Fellowships, naming among them alumna Robin Beth Schaer '05.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
The Playwright’s Room is a series featuring the newest cohort of Columbia Playwriting students.
New work from Visual Arts Alumna Maria Antelman ‘11 is currently on exhibition at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts.
Alumna Marike Splint ’07 creates and directs You Are Here - a homebound travelogue as a part of the Digital Without Walls (WOW) series at La Jolla Playhouse.
Clara Sola, a feature film co-written and directed by alumna Nathalie Álvarez Mesén '19, won the TitraFilm Award in the Work in Progress competition at the 12th edition of the Les Arcs Film Festival in January 2021.
Three projects by Columbia filmmakers have been nominated for a Documentary Motion Picture Prize at this year’s PGA Awards.
Four short films by Columbia filmmakers are set to screen in the Shorts Selection at the Portland International Film Festival from March 5 to March 14, 2021.
Stage Management student Kait Mahoney writes LEGO Harry Potter And The Transgender Witch, a queer fanfiction parody adventure series. LEGO Harry Potter And The Transgender Witch is produced by Theatre Battery, where Mahoney also serves as General Manager.
Yasmine/Jasmine, a feature project written by alumna Yossera Bouchtia '19, was selected to participate in Cinephilia Productions' 2021 Film Development Workroom.
Professor Tom Kalin and Film Alumna Lisa Cholodenko ‘97 recently participated in a panel discussion for the Sundance Film Festival entitled The Big Conversation: Barbed Wire Kisses Redux.