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
Mengtai Zhang '19 is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York. Employing sculpture, sound, and simulation technology, his works create ambivalent allegories of power, where personal and sociopolitical factors encounter each other. He is a PhD candidate in Electronic Arts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He holds an MFA in Sound Art at Columbia University, an MFA in Fine Arts at School of Visual Arts, and a BA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London. Mengtai's works have been presented internationally, including IDFA (Netherlands); Sundance Film Festival, New York Fashion Week,…
Lemon Guo '18 is an interdisciplinary artist, composer, and vocalist from China. Drawn to the visceral and evocative nature of the voice, she creates voice-based performances and installations that connect people to current environmental and cultural realities. She holds an MFA in Sound Art from Columbia University and has performed and exhibited her works internationally, in places such as Rubin Museum of Art (US), BBC Radio 3 (UK), International Computer Music Conference (Korea), and Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (China). Lemon has held residencies at the Headlands Center for…
Adjunct Professor Robert O’Hara ’96 will direct Richard III for The Public Theatre’s free Shakespeare in the Park series this upcoming summer in New York City.
Three projects worked on by School of the Arts alumni featured performances that were celebrated at the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Columbia Directing alumnus Keenan Tyler Oliphant ’20 will direct Ebru Nihan Celkan’s play, Will You Come With Me?
Alumna Nancy Cohen ‘84 is featured in a show at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts.
Mabrook (Congratulations), a short film written, directed and produced by alumnus Asad Farooqui '19, won the Georgia Film Critics Association's Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgian Cinema.
Update: The Lost Daughter, a feature film written and directed by alumna Maggie Gyllenhaal '99 (CC), was the big winner at the 2022 Independent Spirit Awards.
Jacob Sexton directs Indian Summer by Gregory S. Moss. Below is an interview with Sexton about philosophies on directing, new work, and a glimpse at his own perspective on Indian Summer.
Second-year Playwriting student, Deandre C. Short ’23 has signed on as the assistant director for Dominique Morisseau’s new play, Confederates.
Alumna Rebecca Miller Kratzer ’22 will direct Rage by Playwriting student ’22 Greg T. Nanni as a part of Emerson College’s Newfest New Plays Workshop.
Alumna Yuri Yuan ‘21 was recently announced as a recipient of her second grant from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation.