School of the Arts Honors Celebrated
Artists at
Columbia University School of the Arts 2024 Spring Gala
On the evening of March 25, 2024, under the
spectacular dome of Low Library, 250 guests gathered for the
Columbia University School of the Arts’ annual Spring Gala.
Alumni, artists, and art lovers alike came together to
celebrate the School and recognize the stellar
accomplishments
of the night’s three honorees.
This year, visual artist Hugh Hayden received
the Award for
Excellence in the Creative Arts, and iconic theater
producer Paul Libin and
powerhouse documentary producer Sheila Nevins both
received
Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Katharina Otto-Bernstein, Chair
of the School of the Arts Dean’s Council, who co-chaired the
event along with Barbara Whitman, opened the evening
with these words: “Art and artists preserve the history of
our time. They record our present, and their creativity and
imagination pave the path for the future. Art is perhaps the
most important discipline.”
In her remarks, Interim Dean Sarah
Cole spoke
glowingly saying, “It gives me such pride to find myself, as
Dean, right at the beating heart of this university, a place
where new thinking is born and taught, and where the works
of human accomplishment are studied and propelled.”
Columbia University President Minouche
Shafik offered
gracious remarks, followed by an elegant
dinner and stunning performances from Broadway stars Callum
Francis and Tony Award-winner Ali Stroker. Visual Arts
student Aristotle Forester summed up the experience: “The
evening was splendid. It was an honor to attend such a rich
and diverse gathering to celebrate the School of the Arts.” https://arts.columbia.edu
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