Fall Public Programs

Columbia University School of the Arts Presents…

“Please join us—during the 60th anniversary year of the School of the Arts—for a season of readings, screenings, exhibitions, conversations, and more with these and other extraordinary artists.” —Sarah Cole, Dean of Columbia University School of the Arts and Parr Professor of English and Comparative Literature / Gavin Browning, Director of Public Programs and Engagement

 In September, the School of the Arts is proud to present Joan Jonas: Moving Off the Land II (Excerpts) by illustrious alumna Joan Jonas '65 as a highlight of its yearlong 60th anniversary celebration. Jonas’ stunning drawings of red fish—each digitally scanned, scaled up, printed in banner form, and installed in the lobby of the Lenfest Center for the Arts—invite viewers to contemplate oceanic environments alongside the educational one that fostered Jonas’ pathbreaking career 60 years ago. More. 

Miller Theatre and the Arts Initiative will present the 14th Annual Morningside Lights: TIMEFRAME 1965, a celebration of images, icons, and influences of the year 1965—also the year Columbia University School of the Arts was founded. Concept and Direction by Processional Arts Workshop. More. 

The vibrant work of Tania León—lauded composer, conductor, educator, and the newest recipient of the William Schuman Award—will be showcased in a program in Miller Theatre. More. 

In October, alumni are welcomed back to campus to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the School of the Arts. Featuring presentations by Esteban Cabeza de Baca ’14, Lisa Cholodenko ’97, Hugh Hayden ’18, Sanaë Lemoine ’15 and Professors Rivka Galchen ’06, Gary Shteyngart, and Rirkrit Tiravanija; a conversation about free speech with Alex Abdo, New Yorker General Counsel Fabio Bertoni ’95JRN, ’97LAW, and Carolyn J. Casselman ’03LAW, ’03SOA; work by Dineo Seshee Bopape ’10, Déa Kulumbegashvili ’18, Greg Mottola ’91, and Saim Sadiq ’19; a politically engaged Write-In led by Mina Seçkin ’18; and much more. 

Celine Song ’14, the celebrated Writer and Director of films such as Materialists and Past Lives, will return to the School of the Arts for a conversation about creativity with her teacher, Anne Bogart, Theatre, as part of Dean Sarah Cole’s signature series, Speak Now. More. 

Writing Professors Anelise Chen and Leslie Jamison will discuss Clam Down: A Metamorphosis, Chen’s highly-praised memoir in which “a woman retreats into her shell in the aftermath of her divorce, and must choose between the pleasures and the perils of a closed-up life.” More. 

In November, Writing Professor Gary Shteyngart will present his latest novel, Vera, or Faith, a “a boldly imagined story of family and country told through the clear and tender eyes of a child.” Followed by a conversation with Bruce Robbins, English and Comparative Literature. More. 

The LeRoy Neiman Gallery will present twelve works by Dennis Scholl that draw from an archive of tabloid newspapers, Civil War letters, draft cards, Olympic memorabilia, fashion ephemera, and more. Curated by Rafael Domenech ’19. More. 

Throughout the semester, Film faculty will spotlight films by their graduates: Jack Lechner will present Point Break by Kathryn Bigelow ’81; Ramin Bahrani CC ’96 will present Joyland by Saim Sadiq ’19, which Bahrani also Executive Produced; and Bette Gordon will present High Art by Lisa Cholodenko ’97. More. 

And Lenfest Kids will celebrate 60 years of the School of the Arts with a season of wonderful family movies, all made by School of the Arts alums, including: Frozen and Encanto, Jennifer Lee ’05; The Outsiders, Anne Goursaud ’73; Hook, Malia Scotch Marmo ’88; and Klaus, Jinko Gotoh ’82. More.

Visit the School of the Arts website for the full season of events.