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
Playwriting student A.A. Brenner has received the inaugural 2021 Jody Falco and Jeffrey Steinman Award, which comes with a $5,000 prize.
Professor Rirkrit Tiravanija, Assistant Professor Aliza Nisenbaum, Adjunct Assistant Professor Gina Beavers, Mentor Mika Rottenberg ’04 and alumnus Uri Aran ’07 appear in 100 Drawings from Now at The Drawing Center in New York.
Visual Arts alumnus Derrick Adams ’03 is among the National Academy of Design’s 2020 inductees.
Two films written and directed by alumni will have their premiere at Slamdance this February. Comforter, written and directed by Cameron Bruce Nelson '20 and produced by Katya Skakun '20 will premiere in the Narrative Shorts Program, and Me To Play, a documentary feature produced and directed by Jim Bernfield '01, and shot by Saro Varjabedian '13 will premiere in the Documentary Features section.
New York State Council of the Arts recently awarded visual arts alumna Nadja Verena Marcin a $25,000 grant for her first feature film, Pocahontas Returns.
Theatre student Alison Savino is co-producer of Time (Is), a multimedia project weaving together original poetry, documentary filmmaking, movement, and music to delve into the lived experiences of persons of color during this era of social unrest and COVID-19.
The Brooklyn Public Library recently announced that alumnus Cyrée Jarelle Johnson '19 will be the library's first ever Poet-in-Residence.
Dutch Kills Press recently released 2020: Good Writing from a Bad Year, an e-book anthology edited by alumnus Gordon Haber '02.
Alumnus Rafiq Kathwari '00 recently published his newest collection of poems, My Mother's Scribe, with Yoda Press.
Conversations with Artists in Art Getting Art is a bi-weekly series and a play on Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. We interview artists about their art and 'getting art'.
Sounds Art students Yixuan Shao and Avishag Cohen Rodrigues collaborate on Visual Arts Mentor Michael Joo’s a Sensory Meridian in Chicago, Illinois.
Alumnus Sameh Zoabi '05 is set to serve as Executive Producer on the new series Dinner at the Center of the Earth for Sony Pictures Television Studios and Showtime.