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
Visual Arts alum Judy Chung '18 opened a solo exhibition of her paintings, Cafeteria, at the downtown gallery RAINRAIN on February 13, 2026.
Anniversary, a dystopian political thriller produced by Writing alum Steve Schwartz '73, makes its streaming debut on Hulu this week, March 13.
Since the Golden Age of Hollywood, Columbians have contributed to some of the Academy’s most awarded movies. Read more from Columbia Magazine.
Writing alum Elettra Pauletto '17 recently published a translation of Marzio F. Mian’s award-winning book of nonfiction, Volga Blues, with W.W. Norton & Company.
Stage Management alums Taeuk Kang '20 and Sage Spitz '23 will stage manage the Broadway National Tour of Moulin Rouge.
The Agharta City, a project co-created by Film and Media Studies Student Yinx Zhou, is one of six projects that have been selected to move on to the development phase of Biennale College - Blend, a new initiative by the Biennale di Venezia programme.
In collaboration with the Center for Buddhist Studies and the department of religion, Lenfest Center for the Arts hosted the two for a panel on Thursday. Read more from the Columbia Spectator.
Actor and playwright Jeena Yi '14 will premiere the role of Melissa Han in The Balusters, a new play by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire.
Carlie Hoffman '19 has been awarded the Mid Atlantic Individual Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Joining faculty, students, and friends in the audience of the Lenfest Center for the Arts the evening of February 12, were several ghosts. Read more about this recent event featuring poet Forrest Gander.
Columbia theatremakers bring the Olivier-nominated Blackout Songs to Off-Broadway for its United States debut.
From Wednesday, March 4 to Saturday, March 7, Baltimore, MD will be transformed into the epicenter of the US literary scene for the 2026 AWP Conference & Bookfair and many Columbia writers will be in attendance.