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
Eight Columbia filmmakers were recently invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of an initiative to change its otherwise long-term white-male dominance.
The School for Good and Evil, the first book of a fairytale fantasy novel series written by film alumnus Soman Chainani '08, will be adapted into a feature film by Netflix.
Many Columbia faculty and alumni were successful at the 65th annual Drama Desk Awards.
Slingshot by recent alumnus Cyrée Jarelle Johnson ’19 was a finalist for the prestigious Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) Firecracker Award.
Want, a novel by Adjunct Assistant Professor Lynn Steger Strong ’14, headlined a Vulture review as “the summer book I couldn’t put down.”
The South Bend Museum of Art’s first online exhibit, Making a Way, is the museum’s response to the nationwide coronavirus lockdowns which began in mid-March.
Alumna Jaqueline Cedar ’09, the exhibition curator for the Brooklyn-based gallery Good Naked, debuted the gallery’s show Night Swim with a livestream event on May 29.
Many alumni and current students showed their work at last week’s Palm Springs International Shortfest 2020.
It has already been a successful year for alumna Grace Edwards '10.
Alumna Xixi Wang '19 and current student Nehir Tuna have been selected as 2020 Director and Screenwriting Lab Fellows by the Sundance Institute.
Destination Wedding by alumna Diksha Basu ’14 will be available June 30.
Ayaan, a short film written and directed by alumna Alies Sluiter '20, produced by alumna Meng Xiong '19, and associate produced by alumna Federica Belletti '18, is currently screening at two of Australia’s biggest film festivals. It had its world premiere at the Sydney Film Festival where it was nominated for the Dendy Live Action Short Award. The film will also screen at the St Kilda Short Film Festival where it also received nominations for Best Short Film and Best Actor for Trevor Jamieson. Both festivals are Academy Award accredited.