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
Poetry alumna Emily Simon ’21 has published her first book titled In Many Ways (Winter Editions, 2023), a lyrical essay on selfhood, memory, and language in New York City during the pandemic.
From April 21, 2023 to March 10, 2024, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Adama Delphine Fawundu ’18 is presenting In the Spirit of Àṣẹ at the Newark Museum of Art.
Five films from Columbia filmmakers will take part in the prestigious international 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Adjunct Assistant Professor Catherine Lacey ’10 and Adjunct Professor Brenda Wineapple have been named 2023 Fellows of the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers.
Directing student Tanasia Lewis staged her energetic take on Fabulation, the wickedly warm, wide-ranging satire written by Associate Professor of Theater Lynn Nottage, this past February as her thesis.
We talked about defining the practice of dramaturgy and dramaturgical consulting around the world with Dramaturgy alumna Anne Hamilton ’94.
Brown Girls, the debut novel from alumna Daphne Palasi Andreades ’19, has been shortlisted for the inaugural Carol Shields Prize for Fiction.
Acting alumna Kristin Dodson ’22 will star in Bernarda’s Daughters, a new play by Diane Exavier that premieres off-Broadway in May.
Several Columbia University School of the Arts alumni have received Guggenheim Fellowships, one of the most prestigious awards in the arts and humanities.
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.