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
Playwriting alumni Melis Aker '18 and Kyoung Park '12 were recently named 2019-2020 DGF Fellows by the Dramatists Guild Foundation.
Columbia University's Visual Arts & Sound Art Summer Show Aesthetically Functional Only is up now. The show runs from July 24 to August 10 with a Closing Reception on Saturday, August 10 from 5 to 9 pm ET. The Summer Show is a yearly off-campus exhibition by students at Columbia’s MFA program and includes work by both first and second-year students. Each year the Summer Show is initiated and created by students in the MFA Visual Arts Program. The aim of this process is to provide an opportunity for students to work together organizing a group exhibition in New York as…
Darling, a film directed and co-written by current student Saim Sadiq, co-written by current student Rodney Llaverias, co-produced by current student Jasmin Tenucci, and produced by alumnus Mahak Jiwani ‘18 will have its world premiere at the 76th Annual Venice International Film Festival. Darling will be the first ever Pakistani film to screen at the Venice Film Festival, which is the oldest festival of its kind. Darling is set in a dance theatre in Lahore and tells a tale of romance and coming-of-age. As a new show is introduced at the erotic dance…
Independent Filmmaker Project, a non-profit based in Brooklyn that hosts the annual Gotham Awards, has named producer and alumnus Jeffrey Sharp '01 as its new executive director. An award-winning international film and TV producer and publishing entrepreneur, Sharp brings decades of experience to IFP, including his work producing films such as Boys Don’t Cry, You Can Count on Me, Evening, and The Yellow Birds, and digitally publishing authors such as William Styron, Pat Conroy, and Pearl Buck as co-founder and President of Open Road Integrated Media.
Battleship Potemkin, an exhibit curated by alumnus Rafael Domenech '19, runs June 28 – August 24, 2019 at the Fredric Snitzer Gallery in Miami, Florida.
Feature script project Sisyphus, by recent graduates Meng Xiong '19 and Xixi Wang '19, was officially selected by FIRST Financing Forum as one of their Projects of the Year. FIRST Financing Forum is a major component of The FIRST International Film Festival, which prides itself on being a platform for new and groundbreaking Chinese filmmakers. The forum is designed to bridge emerging filmmakers with industry professionals through script workshops, pitch presentations, and one-on-one meetings. Previously-selected projects include An Elephant…
Current poetry student Nada Faris has a book out now through Daylight Books, titled Women of Kuwait. The collection features writing by Faris and photography by Maha Alasaker and has received favorable press from venues including Vogue Italy, Vogue Arabia, I-D Magazine, and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Columbia School of the Arts theatre community members won big at this year’s Tony Awards.
Many Columbia students and alumni took home awards at the 2019 Palm Springs Shortfest last week, the largest short film festival in North America.
Every year, our stage management students and alumni help put together and produce countless shows, and this year has been no exception. Below is a recap of many of the achievements from our current students and recent alumni.
The Kilroys have named their 2019 List and many Columbia alumni were recognized for their work. The Kilroys is a gang of playwrights, directors and producers in LA and NYC who are done talking about gender parity and are taking action. The group mobilizes others in the field and leverages their power to support one another. Founded in 2013, The Kilroys is named after the iconic graffiti tag “Kilroy Was Here” that was first left by WWII soldiers in unexpected places, a playfully subversive way of making their presence known. This year’s list from The Kilroys recognizes…