Student & Alumni Affairs

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 Columbia filmmakers have been selected to participate in this year’s Cine Qua Non Lab’s Script Revision Labs. 

Alumnus Kiyan Williams ’19 was featured in the solo exhibition something else (Variations on Americana) at Recess Art in Brooklyn, New York as part

Filmmaker Magazine has named Columbia Alumnae Victoria Rivera ‘20 and Moara Passoni ‘20 to The 25 New Faces of Independent Film 2020. 

The Alumni Spotlight is a place to hear from the School of the Arts alumni community about their journeys as artists and creators.

Happily, a short film co-written and directed by alumnus Aaron David DeFazio '15, screened in the Drama section of the 24th Los Angeles Internation

Alumna Francesca Giacco ’16 recently sold her debut novel, Six Days in Rome, to Karen Kosztolnyik at Grand Central Publishing at auction.

Alumnae Nana Dakin ’18 and Ikumi Kuronaga ’20 were selected to join The Civilians’ R&D Group.

The 2020 MFA Actors Showcase is available for online viewing, following a large pivot in production. 

Alumnus Daniel Penny '16, along with contemporary art advisor Daniel Malarkey, has launched the monthly podcast Art Unscene. 

Sprinting Through No Man's Land, a debut narrative nonfiction book by alumnus Adin Dobkin ’20, will be published by Little A in 2021. 

Conversations with Artists in Art Getting Art is a bi-weekly series and a play on Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.