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
Alumnus Roberto Bentivegna ’10 co-wrote the screenplay for House of Gucci (2021).
Acting alumni K.K. Moggie '07 and Luis Moreno '06 both star in Hillary Miller’s new comedy, Preparedness, presented by the Bushwick Starr and HERE.
This month, Professor David Henry Hwang, Playwriting alumna Paola Alexandra Soto ’20, and Playwriting student Goldie E. Patrick introduced a newly formatted festival that brings theatre to a digital audio environment.
Alumna Deborah Chow '03 currently directs the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+.
Recent graduates of the Visual Arts MFA are featured in a new online exhibition with New York-based Project Gallery V. Ivana Carman ’21, Kevin Claiborne ’21, Noga Cohen ’21, and Keli Safia Maksud ’21 are among the thirteen artists whose works are on display in an exhibition curated by alumna Farah Mohammad ’21.
Professor and alumna Adama Delphine Fawundu '18 is featured in two shows, one as part of the Newark Artist Collaboration and another alongside alumna Priscilla Aleman ‘19.
Alumna Jasmin Freitas Tenucci '20 has been named Best Director at the Rio De Janeiro short film festival for her thesis film August Sky.
Constructing Futures is a biweekly series that features artists who use found materials, natural resources and the landscape to construct work that addresses the harsh realities of our ecological age.
Dramaturgy student Kate Foster was the assistant director of Pankrác '45 in Washington, D.C. at The Atlas Performing Arts Center.
Film MFA student Adewale Olukayode and Ameer Kazmi had never met before last week, when they were brought together to participate in the online event One Story Up: Filmmaker Fireside Chat. The two young New York filmmakers discussed art and life as if they had just met at a party, excited to be sharing their passion and convictions with a fellow artist.
Alumnus Noah Breuer ‘07 has a solo show, Cabbage, at Concourse Gallery, VisArts, in Rockville, Maryland. It is on view until January 2, 2022. According to the press release, the exhibition is named for the “pieces of cloth cuttings leftover in the process of creating custom garments and traditionally kept as perquisites by the dressmakers."
The Conference of the Birds, a feature film directed and edited by alumnus Kevin Contento '18, won the Feature Narrative Jury Award at the 2021 New Orleans Film Festival.