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
Uncovering the Heritage Silhouette is a bi-weekly series diving into how tradition influences the creation of art. We interview artists heavily influenced by their heritage.
Film alumnus Gregory Kershaw ’11, Associate Professor and Chair of the Creative Producing Concentration Maureen A. Ryan, and former staff member Lauren Domino have been recognized by the National Board of Review. Kershaw’s film The Truffle Hunters and Ryan’s film Dick Johnson is Dead were both finalists for Best Documentary 2020, and Domino’s film Time won in the same category.
On A Global Scale is a bi-weekly series about international co-productions by Columbia filmmakers.
One of Columbia’s most accomplished filmmakers and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Studios, alumna Jennifer Lee ’05, will executive produce Encanto, to be released by Disney on November 24, 2021. During their Investor Day 2020, Disney announced Encanto as their next animated film. A first look trailer for the new fantasy film can be seen below.
Beginning, the debut feature by writer and director Déa Kulumbegashvili '18 and producer Ilan Amouyal '17, is set to debut exclusively on MUBI starting on Friday, January 29, 2021.
Alumna Ama Quo '18 was chosen to participate in Disney's Creative Talent Development & Inclusion Writing Program.
An untitled drama series about COINTELPRO, co-written and executive produced by Leon Hendrix '15 and Ajani Jackson ‘15, is currently being developed by Peacock. An official release date has not yet been announced.
Alumnus Jeffrey Meris ’19 is in three Exhibitions this winter: Still Standing Statues Also Die, and Unmastered.
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) has announced that Golden Shield, written by Dramaturgy alumna Anchuli Felicia King ’18 and directed by Danya Taymor, will have its American Off-Broadway premiere in 2021—22. The performance dates will be announced at a later date, dependent on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Playwright’s Room is a series featuring the newest cohort of Columbia Playwriting students. These playwrights study under the tutelage of David Henry Hwang and Lynn Nottage.
“A Beginner’s Guide to National Cinema Theory,” written by Film alumna Alexandra James ’18, was named Film Inquiry’s Best Article of the Year.
Student Jon K. Jones has been selected by SFFILM to receive a Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship for his project Let There Be Light.