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
Through her work, School of the Arts playwright Amalia Oliva Rojas gives voice to immigrants and women of color.
Marinaro Gallery is presenting Wet Feet, the first solo painting exhibition in New York by multidisciplinary artist and Visual Arts alum
Columbia University School of the Arts alum Marie Howe ’83 has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her collection
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Yuri Yuan ’21 opened her third solo exhibition with Alexander Berggruen Gallery, Hide and Seek
Jennifer Sears’13 has won the 2025 John Simmons Short Fiction Award for her short story collection What Menn
Acting alum Daniel Irizarry ’04 directs and performs in Class Dismissed at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.
These series — all from alumni showrunners, producers, directors, or screenwriters — are worth watching and rewatching.
After a successful festival tour, Kulumbegashvili’s second feature, April, debuted in U.S. theaters April 25.
Inside a classroom at Columbia’s Kraft Center, students aren't only reconstructing their memories through writing—they're also building remembered
Columbia filmmakers feature up and down the lineup of this year’s Tribeca Festival, which runs from June 4 to 15 at venues across Manhattan.
Columbia University will make its mark at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this May with five filmmakers featured in various programs.
Cannes Directors' Fortnight recently unveiled their selection for 2025, and several Columbia filmmakers are screening their films at this prestigio