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
Healer of the Water Monster, a middle-grade chapter book by Fiction Alumnus Brian L. Young '19, will be released by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins, on May 11, 2021.
The British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) has announced the newest roster of its Newcomers program with an impressive showing of Columbia filmmakers.
'Blue Grey' by Fourth-Year Katie Kim and Alumna Flora Jiwu Hwang '20 Wins Best Short Award at SESIFF
The short film Blue Grey, written and directed by Directing Student Katie Kim, with Creative Producing Alumna Flora Jiwu Hwang ’20 as Producer and lead actor, won Best Short Award at the 12th annual Seoul International Extreme Short Image and Film Festival (SESIFF).
Assistant Professor Aliza Nisenbaum, Professor Rirkrit Tiravanija, and Adjunct Assistant Professor Gina Beavers are featured alongside Alumni Uri Aran ’07 and Mika Rottenberg ’04 in the group exhibition 100 Drawings from Now in New York, NY at The Drawing Center.
Postman, written & directed by student Minkyu Kang and produced by students Bofan Zhang and Robert Jones, will screen at the San Diego International Film Festival (SDIFF) from October 15-18. A short, shown in the "On Pins & Needles" category, Postman is about a mail carrier who finds a dying painter left alone in an unlocked apartment.
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'.
Alvarez Keko Salazar Productions and Poseidon Theatre Company are adapting short plays by Theatre Alumnus Jeffrey James Keyes ’10 into the new podcast series Drama: an aural experience.
Unnatural Selection, a teleplay co-written by Karlee Roberts ’20 and her sister Marlee Roberts, is a finalist in the Humanitas Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Fellowship.
Anita, written & directed by student Sushma Khadepaun and co-produced by Sasha John '17, was selected as a 2020 National Board of Review Student Grant winner.
Down Dog, a short film directed by student Shae Xu, written by alumna Claire Brooks ’20 and produced by alumna Mackenzie Lyle '20 and student I-Hui Lee, was screened virtually at the Urbanworld Film Festival through September 27, and will screen at the NewFest New York LGBTQ + Film Festival from October 16-27. NewFest is New York’s largest presenter of LGBTQ film & media and the largest convener of LGBTQ audiences in the city.
Student Kevin Haefelin won the Maverick Award for Best Student Short Film at the Woodstock Film Festival 2020 for his film Trumpet. Written and directed by Haefelin, produced by Youmi Haefelin-Roch and with student Alex Yarber serving as Unit Production Manager, Trumpet took the edge over five other shorts in its section.
Theatre Alumnus Shayok Misha Chowdhury ’16, Writing Alumni Ricardo Alberto Maldonado ’08 and Ge Gao ’17, and Visual Arts Alumni Vivianne Chiu ’19, Alison Taylor ’05, Elif Uras ’03, and Writing Assistant Professor Shane McCrae were all named NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellows for 2020.