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
The Nashville Film Festival’s Screenwriting Competition is underway with Has Been Beauty Queen, a script co-written by alumna Jennifer Gerber '13, reaching the final round in the Feature Film section of the festival.
Alumna Felicia King ’18 joined the writers of Shakespeare Now, an anthology of adaptations of Shakespeare’s work for television.
Four Columbia films have been selected to show at the 58th New York Film Festival from September 17 to October 11.
The Telluride Film Festival released the official program selections to its 47th edition with two films by Columbia filmmakers on the list. Both Silento, written and directed by alumnus Esteban Garcia Vernaza '20 and produced by alumna Susie Jean Kim '19, and Something to Believe In (Algo en lo que creer), written and directed by alumna Fany de la Chica '18 and produced by alumnus Luca Marcovici '18, were chosen to compete in the Student Prints category alongside six other student short films.
The oldest film festival in the world, the Venice International Film Festival, returns for its 77th edition from September 2 to September 12, 2020 with three Columbia films in its lineup.
Playwriting alumnus Johnny Lloyd ’20 has been named the Director of Artistic Development for the nonprofit, the Tank.
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'.
Four Way Books will publish The Life Assignment by alumni Ricardo Alberto Maldonado ’08 this September.
Theatre Alumna and Adjunct Assistant Professor in Film Ming Peiffer '16 wrote Finish the Fight, a digital theatre performance that focuses on 100 years of women’s right to vote, commissioned by The New York Times.
Two Columbia alumni received recognition at the Dramatists Guild and Lilly Awards unprecedented virtual joint ceremony last month. Dramaturgy alumna Jillian Walker '17 received The Stacey Mindich ‘Go Work in Theater' Award as part of the Lilly Awards, while alumna Kia Corthron '92 took home the Flora Roberts Award from the Dramatists Guild in recognition of her previous work and encouragement of future endeavors.
This Is Why They Hate Us by recent alumnus Aaron H. Aceves ‘20 was acquired by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for spring 2022 publication. This is Aceves’s debut novel.
On Longing is the first solo show of visual art alumna Susan MB Chen ’20, who was recently featured in the New York Times for her organization of a virtual group show with her classmates at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.