Arts Initiative

The Arts Initiative at Columbia University was created in 2004 by President Bollinger to promote "the role of the arts in the university, and the university's role in the arts". It is part of the Office of the President. The initiative's Director is Gregory Mosher. The initiative's website is CUArts.

Current Programs

Ticket and Information Center (TIC)

The Ticket and Information Center opened in January 2008 and dispensed over 30,000 free and discounted tickets to the Columbia community in its first fourteen weeks. Operating both in the Lerner lobby and online, the TIC features campus events of all sorts, NYC cultural events, and discount movies vouchers. By special arrangement with Telecharge and select Broadway producers, the TIC has at last created an alternative to student rush by selling student-priced tickets in advance. The Ticket and Information Center staff fields questions ranging from Carnegie Hall's address to when the Columbia Orchestra holds auditions. TIC operates in partnership with the Provost's office, with additional support from Columbia College and Student Services.

Passport to New York

Passport to New York is a program that grants student CUID holders free admission to 28 New York City museums and institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and more. Students only need their CUID with a valid sticker for that school term (i.e. Fall 2008) for admission. Passport to New York is one of the Arts Initiative's most popular programs.

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation Fund

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation fund, made possible by the generosity of Lord David (MBA '71) and Lady Susie Sainsbury, continues its extraordinary support for student arts projects. Grantees spanned Columbia's schools, with projects ranging from Project Bluelight, Columbia's first undergraduate film production company, to Follies, an original musical composed and performed by graduate students in the School of International and Public Affairs. Gatsby funds also support the CUArts website and subsidize student tickets. The Gatsby application form is now online at CUArts.

Arts Networking

Held in collaboration with the Columbia Alumni Association, networking sessions bring students and artistic alumni together to effectively schmooze. CCE may not have you back, but the AI does. More Info

Past Programs

Tierno Bokar

Legendary director Peter Brooks staged a production of this French-language play in Barnard's LeFrak Gymnasium. Most students weren't cultured enough to realize that magnitude of Peter Brooks directing a production on campus and complained about the track being closed. Website

New Yorker nights

Series of events at Miller Theater in 2005-2006 featuring speakers like Joan Didion, Oliver Sacks, Malcolm Gladwell, Simon Schama, and others.

Havel at Columbia

Vaclav Havel chilled at Columbia for the Fall of 2006. He delivered the CC Coursewide Lecture, students had to read a play of his in Lit Hum, the first time a Living White Man cracked the curriculum, and he shared the stage with Bill Clinton for a discussion. Website

Upcoming projects

Discount tickets

Now available through the TIC!

External links

• CUArts.com