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
This past December Playwriting alumnus Santino DeAngelo ’18, who according to the New York Times has a “gift for engaging melodies,” co-wrote and directed Porn Awards: The Musical at The Rockwell in Los Angeles. The production is a wacky vaudeville act and comedy burlesque about a small-time musical theater producer, Max, who tries to bring his dream of hosting a sexy award show to the big time. Along the way, Max introduces the audience to his famous Hollywood friends such as Susan Sarandon, Liza Minelli, Jennifer Coolidge, and more (all…
The next thesis production, Medea directed by Miriam Grill, premieres January 23rd at The Flexible Performance Space at Lenfest Center for the Arts.
Alumna Dana Schutz '02 is has a solo exhibition at Petzel Gallery in Chelsea from January 10 through February 23, 2019. Entitled, Imagine Me and You, the exhibition is her third at the gallery and features paintings and sculptures. The exhibition will mark the first time Schutz has exhibited sculptures.
Alumna Emily Mae Smith '06 is in a solo exhibition with Le Consortium, their first ever institutional exhibition devoted to the artist. Running through April 14, 2019 at Le Consortium in Dijon, France, the exhibition gathers over 40 pieces made between 2014 and 2018 to present in one retrospective.
Seven Theatre alumni came together to create the new hit web series, Tuesday Nights. It is a true collaboration of minds, including creator Shiva Kalaiselvan '15 and fellow actors Julia Joyce-Barry '15, David Fierro '11, as well as playwrights Celine Song '14, Harrison Rivers '09 and Laura Zlatos '15, and dramaturg Jolene Noelle '15.
Producing alumnus and faculty mumber, Shrihari Sathe '09, won the Producers Award at the Spirit Awards Filmmakers Grant 2019. The 22nd annual Awards were presented at the Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 5, 2019 in West Hollywood. The purpose of this award is to honor emerging producers who, "despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films,” as stated on the Film Independent website. As a recipient of this award, Sathe has become a Film Independent Fellow and received an unrestricted…
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, a screenplay written by alumni David Light '02 and Joseph Raso '04 that premiered last year, was nominated for a Humanitas Prize for Children's Teleplay.
Aralık (Lacuna), a feature film written by current student Selman Nacar has been awarded a grant of 100,000 TL from the Malatya Film Platform. The Official Selections were announced at the 8th Malatya International Film Festival in Istanbul, Turkey.
At the 76th Golden Globe Awards, two films by Alumni were nominated, Green Book, directed and co-written by writing alumnus Peter Farrelly '86 and Ralph Breaks the Internet co-directed and co-written by film alumnus Phil Johnston '04.
Current student Ellyn Gaydos is the recipient of the 2018 Richard J. Margolis Award for nonfiction writers of social-justice journalism.
Current student Kiyan Williams '19, and Alumni Asif Mian '18 and Hugh Hayden '18 have been selected to commission new work at The Shed, a new visual and performing arts center currently being built in Hudson Yards. They will showcase their work in The Shed’s black-box theater and open-air plaza beginning in late spring 2019.