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
I'm No Longer Here (Ya No Estoy Aquí), a feature film written and directed by alumnus Fernando Frias de la Parra '15 and produced by alumnus Gerry Kim '11, was chosen as the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences’ nominee for Best Foreign Film for next year’s Academy Awards. It took the edge over five other finalists as its country’s representative.
Inspector Ike, a feature film co-written and directed by alumnus Graham Mason '11, won the Jury Award in the Narrative Features Competition at the 31st New Orleans Film Festival.
Alumna Pirronne Yousefzadeh ’09 was named a finalist for the 2020 Zelda Fichandler Award, an award which recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to-date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community.
Troublemaker, a short film written and directed by student Olive Nwosu, is making waves on the festival circuit.
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.
Alumnus Jackson Polys ‘15 in the New Red Order’s exhibition Crimes Against Reality at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Curated by Pat Elifritz, Crimes Against Reality is NRO’s first solo museum exhibition.
Mizaru, a short film written, directed and edited by alumnus Sudarshan Suresh '18, screened as part of the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2020. It ran in the Shorts section of the 9th edition of the festival from October 29 to November 4.
Visual Arts student Júlia Pontés received a Grant from National Geographic for her project on COVID-19 impacts in mining communities and the environment.
Keene by Alumna Anchuli Felicia King ’18 recently presented an online reading at Red Bull Theatre in conjunction with American Shakespeare Center. Keene is billed as an ode to always being the second-class genius of color, the play riffs on early-career academia, Shakespeare’s Othello, and the power of American pop.
Alumnus Jeffrey James Keyes ’10 was honored with the PEN America/L’Engle-Rahman Prize for Mentorship last week.
Alumnus Michael Scholar, Jr. ’16 directed Duncan Macmillan's Lungs for Mitch & Murray Productions at Studio 16 in Vancouver, Canada.
Karen, I Said directed by alumna Tara Ahmadinejad '14, premiered last month in an encore livestream production. Karen, I Said is a three-part, 45-minute Zoom presentation. The production was written by and starred Eliza Bent who performs the entire play as a 45 minute monologue.