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
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
Alumni Nicole Holofcener '88 and Ashley Lyle '07 ('02 CC) are among the honorees of the 2022 Final Draft Awards.
Miracle, written, directed, produced, and edited by Assistant Professor and Film Program alumnus Bogdan George Apetri '06, won the Don Quixote Prize at the 2022 Tromsø International Film Festival.
Reinventing Jenna Rose by alumna Joni Marie Iraci '17 was recently announced as the first-place winner of the Firebird Book Awards in two categories, Coming of Age and Women's Issues, and the second-place winner in Legal Thriller and New Adult Fiction.
From April 6 to September 5 2022, the Whitney Museum will present the 80th edition of its flagship exhibition, the Whitney Biennial.
The American Indian Library Association (AILA) recently awarded alumnus Brian L. Young '19 with the American Indian Youth Literature Award for his book Healer of the Water Monster (HarperCollins, 2021). The book is available for purchase here.
Two Columbia Playwriting alumni, Gethsemane Herron-Coward ’19 and Johnny G. Lloyd ’20, were selected to participate in this year's Ars Nova Play Group Residency.
Three Columbia alumnae have been selected to participate in this year’s 20th edition of Berlinale Talents at the Berlin International Film Festival. Alumna Maya Korn '19, alumna Ellie Foumbi '17 and alumna Marta Cruañas Compés '20 are part of the 200 new additions to the Berlinale Talents network and will connect with their new cohort digitally from February 12-17, 2022 during the festival.
Cha Cha Real Smooth, a feature film produced by alumnus Erik Feig '92 (CC), won the Audience Award in the U.S. Drama Competition at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
Five Columbia artists have projects that have been nominated for the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards. They are: Ray Yeung ’13, Manuela Sosa ’19, Joey Odom ’19, Ashley Lyle '07 ('02 CC), and Professor Tom Kalin.
Patch of Sky, a debut book written and illustrated by Film alumna Nic Yulo '18, will be published in July of 2022. Patch of Sky is now available for pre-order.
A unique exhibition of video art by students enrolled in Columbia’s Visual Arts MFA will be shown in Times Square between 6-8pm this Thursday, February 3, 2022.