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
Two films directed by alumnus Miguel Silveira ’15 screened this week at the 23rd Festival do Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.
The short story “Annulment” by alumnus Francisco González ‘19 was recently named a Distinguished Mystery and Suspense Story in The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021.
Nominations for the 79th Golden Globes have been announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and two films by Columbia filmmakers have made the list. The Lost Daughter, directed by alumna Maggie Gyllenhaal '99 (CC) received nominations in the Best Director, Motion Picture category and the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama category for Olivia Colman.
Here, we talk with Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, Director of Graduate Studies, and alumna Adama Delphine Fawundu '18 about getting her start in the golden era of hip-hop, studying for an MFA at Columbia University and finding her voice as a visual artist.
Two feature projects from Columbia University filmmakers were chosen to participate in the Fiction Track for Film Independent’s 2021 Fast Track Program. They are: Alien Kulture, written by Iesh Thapar '17 and produced by Sarah Seulki Oh '15, and The Mesopotamian, written and directed by Esra Saydam '11 and produced by Gerry Kim '11 and Alvaro Valente '14.
Alumna Nadja Verena Marcin ‘10 is featured in the solo show #SOPHYGRAY at Kunstverein Ruhr in Essen, Germany. Curated by Peter Friese, this show will be available for viewing until February 13, 2022.
Recent Directing alumnus Colm Summers ’21 is the assistant director for Wednesday by Raja Feather Kelly and his company, the feath3r theory.
The Page 73 Playwriting Fellowship recently announced ten Semifinalists for 2022. One of the semifinalists is Playwriting alum Melis Aker ’18. Aker was selected from more than 300 applicants.
Last year, The Office of the Provost issued a request for proposals to provide seed grant funding for faculty within the Columbia community that engage with issues of structural racism.
Stage Management alumna Krystle Henninger '15 collaborated with Indorican Multicultural Dance Project for the upcoming release of her instrumental EP, Gift of the Night Flurries.
Equestrian Monuments, a poetry collection by Luis Chaves and co-translated by two alumnae, Julia Guez ‘11 and Assistant Professor Samantha Zighelboim ‘11, will be published by After Hours Editions early 2022.