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 Eternal Forest, a debut memoir by Writing alum Elena Sheppard '20, will be making its way to bookshelves on September 30, 2025.
Forastera won the International Federation of Film Critics' FIPRESCI Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2025.
The 63rd New York Film Festival, taking place from September 26 to October 13, 2025, will spotlight works by Columbia alums, placing their stories at the heart of one of global cinema’s most prestigious events.
Several projects by School of the Arts alums are on the slate for this year's Gotham Week Project Market.
Professor Moisés Kaufman and Michel Hausmann '14 Direct Shows for Miami New Drama’s 2025-2026 Season
Adjunct Professor Moisés Kaufman and 2014 Directing alum Michel Hausman '14 will both direct shows as part of Miami New Drama’s 2025-2026 season.
The Association for Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS), has awarded Film student Marta Kalnina the Jānis Grundmanis Postgraduate Fellowship for study in the US.
The Sisters Grimm, developed by Film alum and Emmy Award nominee Amy Higgins '06, will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 3, 2025.
The 52nd Telluride Film Festival held annually in Telluride, Colorado during Labor Day weekend saw Columbia Filmmakers and faculty shine.
From filmmakers to writers, sculptors and more, these groundbreaking Columbia artists broke ceilings and took the future with them.
The new action-packed thriller-comedy Caught Stealing opened in theaters on August 29, 2025. The film was associate produced by Emmy Award nominee and Film alum Justin Gonçalves '22.
The city has left an impression on generations of students, and to celebrate the School of the Arts' 60th anniversary, we're taking a look at the impression the students have made on New York City.
Rory Haines '11 and Sohrab Noshirvani '12 met in their first screenwriting class at the School of the Arts over ten years ago and quickly developed a creative partnership. Since then, they've collaborated on dozens of projects.