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 alumnus Kamrooz Aram ’03 has been announced as one of the winners of the prestigious Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome.
From April 6 to May 13, 2023, Microscope Gallery is presenting Phantom Power, a solo show by Sound Art alumnus Kamari Carter ’18.
Lying In, a new book of poems from alumna Elizabeth Metzger ’15, is out now from Milkweed Editions.
The Columbia University Film Festival (CUFF) will present its annual Andrew Sarris Award to Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq ’19. Sadiq will accept the award remotely at Screenwriting Night on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
In this series, we catch up with Columbia filmmakers who have recently graduated to chat about their time in the Film Program, what they’re doing now, and their goals for the future. This week, we spoke with alumna Cheryl Xiaoning Wang ’22.
Three short films created by Film alumni have been selected to screen at the prestigious event.
Acting alumnus Isaiah Dòdó-Williams ’22 will star in ABC’s single camera comedy pilot, Public Defenders. The pilot was written by Eddie Quintana and will be directed by Randall Einhorn.
In Times to Come, a third novel from alumnus Kristopher Jansma ’06, has been acquired by Ecco for publication next year.
Angela Tucker ’08 is one of six filmmakers chosen by Film Independent to partake in their second annual Amplifier Fellowship, sponsored by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity.
International film distribution company Kino Lorber will theatrically release The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future (2022), a debut feature film from alumna Francisca Alegría ’16.
Until April 8, 2023, Visual Arts Alumni Kevin Claiborne ’21 is exhibiting 14 works on wood panels at Sean Horton (Presents) gallery in New York City. Service? (18 x 14 in., 2023), the first acrylic and ink on wood panel piece one encounters in Family Business, is relatively small and difficult to decipher.
Directing alumna Tara Ahmadinejad ’14 directs Lunch Bunch, co-produced by The Play Company (“PlayCo”) and Clubbed Thumb, at 122CC.