Facilities

Keeping our facilities and technology on the cutting edge is essential to our hands-on educational approach that prepares our students to hit the ground running in their chosen fields. 

Our students get real, industry-ready experience as professionals-in-training on our film and video production and post-production equipment, as well as in our photography labs, graphic design computer labs, dance studios, concert halls, theater stages, radio station, recording facilities, art studios, animation labs, performance spaces, design studios, film and television studios, and galleries. 

Some of these facilities are highlighted here. More information is available on the departmental sites and in the course catalog. 

Studio, Exhibition and Performance Spaces

Galleries Columbia supports a museum, eight galleries (three of them devoted exclusively to student work) and an art shop. At any given time, our venues are buzzing with activity and ideas.

• Center for Book and Paper Arts A resource of the Interdisciplinary Arts Department, the CBPA is devoted to furthering knowledge and appreciation of book art, including letterpress and offset printing, bookbinding, papermaking, and artists’ books.
• Anchor Graphics Anchor Graphics is a not-for-profit fine art printshop and press.
• ShopColumbia Columbia’s student art store features original designs and products created by emerging artists.

Concert Halls In addition to individual, small-ensemble practice rooms, the Music Center features a concert hall with state-of-the-art digital sound-recording and amplification capabilities for student and guest recitals.

Dance Facilities As the Midwest’s leading presenter of contemporary dance, the Dance Center boasts a state-of-the-art performance space as well as practice and rehearsal studios. [link to Dance Dept. Facility?]

Film/Media Arts Facilities As the largest film program in North America, Columbia’s film department offers a wide range of cutting-edge equipment, production spaces, and screening spaces. 

Media Production Center The MPC is an extraordinary educational facility designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration among students in film, interactive arts and media, and television. 

Semester in L.A.  Located on a Hollywood studio lot, Semester In L.A. is an immersion program for Columbia students from various disciplines to experience the business of Hollywood while networking with industry professionals.

Photography Facilities One of the largest photography programs in the nation, the Photography department is equipped with a state-of-the-art Digital Printing Lab, studios, and darkrooms. 

Theater Spaces The Theatre Center has a variety of performance and production venues for Columbia’s plays, musicals, concerts, and directing projects.


Centers for Arts and Research

Center for Asian Arts and Media The Center is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and presenting arts and media programs by and about Asians and Asian Americans.

Center for Black Music Research  The only organization of its kind, the CBMR promotes and preserves black music from throughout the African diaspora, by means of performance, research, and an extensive collection.

Center for Community Arts Partnerships CCAP unites artists, educators, students, corporations, schools and community-based organizations to form meaningful, sustainable partnerships in the arts.

Institute for Science Education and Science Communication The Department of Science and Mathematics’ Institute for Science Education and Science Communication (“Science Institute”) seeks to encourage and stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.M.) through its programs: Junior Research Scientists, Scientists for Tomorrow, and Scientists for a Day.

Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media The Institute creates, presents, and collaborates on multidisciplinary programming and initiatives relating to gender, culture, creativity and community.

Museum of Contemporary Photography The Museum of Contemporary Photography is the only museum in the Midwest exclusively committed to photography and to the expanding field of image making.

Other Academic Spaces

Center for Teaching Excellence The CTE supports the continuing efforts of all Columbia faculty members to become more informed, confident, creative, reflective, and effective practitioners of the art of teaching.

Center for Instructional Technology The CIT provides leadership in exploring and promoting new technologies that enhance teaching and learning at Columbia.

Learning Studio The Learning Studio works with students across all majors and at all levels of achievement and abilities to assist them in reaching their academic goals.

Library The Library’s collection features art and photography books, film scripts, artist's books, and music scores as well as print, digital audiovisual, and electronic resources focusing on visual and performing arts, media, and communications.

Residences  Columbia is home to the most innovative student housing in the country, designed specially for the creative student, and located right in the middle of campus.