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
Francisca Alegria ’16 is one of eight participants selected by the Sundance Institute for the fifth annual Momentum Fellowship, a program designed to support mid-career artists with a focus on career development during a pivotal moment in their creative practice.
Former Adjunct Assistant Professor Cynthia Cruz has won the National Books Critics Circle Award in Poetry for Hotel Oblivion (Four Way Books, 2022).
Upon entering the studio of Visual Arts alumna Ann Gillen ’69, one is immediately amazed by the aura of creative energy suffusing the space.
Theatre Management and Producing alumnus Ryan Bogner ’15 is the lead producer on The Cottage, which will premiere on Broadway this summer.
Film alumnus Brian McAuley ‘13 has written a horror novel titled Curse of the Reaper, which was featured on Esquire’s list of Best Horror Books of 2022.
Until April 1, 2023, nine pieces by Visual Arts alumna Annette Hur ’19 are on view at Hesse Flatow gallery in New York City.
Film alumna Chantel Clark ’18 has been chosen to participate in the AuthenticA Series Lab, a training program for African episodic screenwriters hosted by Realness Institute, the African non-profit filmmaking organization.
True Biz (2022), the New York Times bestselling novel from alumna Sara Nović ’14, is out now in paperback from Random House.
Magma, written by Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir and translated from the Icelandic by alumna Meg Matich ’15, has been named among the seventy titles on the Dublin Literary Award longlist.
Several projects from Columbia filmmakers are headed to the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, which will take place March 10-19, 2023.
The winners of the 66th Annual Obie Awards, selected from over 400 productions spanning 2020-2022, were announced on February 23, 2023. The awards, which were presented on February 27, honored the work of several Columbia faculty, alumni, and students.
My Flawless Life, the fifth young adult novel from alumna Yvonne Woon ’10 (CC ’06), is out now from Katherine Tegen Books.