Diversity is central to student learning at Columbia College Chicago.

Columbia College Chicago's campus is an eclectic, urban cacophony of cultures that create the unique characteristics of our institution. It is universally understood at Columbia that diversity is integral to the learning experiences we create for our students, both within and beyond the classroom. We also believe that a diverse campus is central to our ability to produce high caliber, versatile artists and communicators of all races, cultures, and ethnicities.

As educators, we place great importance on racial and cultural diversity in our classrooms, residence halls, and various organized activities. It is our individual differences that help enliven classroom discussions and social interactions. By sharing and experiencing our differences, we can dissolve barriers that exist through stereotypes, help prepare our students to effectively integrate themselves in a global society, and function collaboratively with others.

Columbia College Chicago's Multicultural Affairs Office is a division of Student Affairs that exists to foster and support the intellectual, social and cultural development of all students, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds and lifestyles. Offices within Multicultural Affairs include African American Cultural Affairs, Asian American Cultural Affairs, International Student Affairs, Latino Cultural Affairs, and LGBTQ Office of Culture and Community. Together, these offices promote and celebrate diversity by creating a cultural agenda for the college community, and in doing so, we help retain and encourage our diverse students as they matriculate. By providing programming and services that are relevant to the experiences of our diverse students, we assist them to thrive and connect with all of their peers, mentors, faculty, and staff here at Columbia.

Diversity is hardly just a buzz word at Columbia; it is part of the fabric we weave in preparing all of our students to work together for the benefit of current and future generations.

Click here to find out how to share a Multicultural Affairs experience and get involved with any one of our offices.

Calendar Highlights

FEAST
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Multicultural Affairs Conference Room, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor
Join Columbia's office of Asian American Cultural Affairs for a lunch to kick off our celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! This is your chance to break bread and discuss your interests and issues of the day with Asian Pacific American faculty & staff. All Columbia students, faculty, and staff are welcome!

Seating is limited – first-come, first-served.

RSVP to rgupta@colum.edu by Monday, April 2.

Asian Student Organization – A2 Art Fair Prep Meeting
Thursday, April 5 | 5:30 p.m.
Multicultural Affairs | 618 S. Michigan Ave./4th floor
The Asian Student Organization (ASO) meets today to prepare for A2, its annual art fair to be held April 12, 2012.

 

The People’s Crisis: North Korea’s Refugees
Thursday, April 5, 2012
6:00pm – 8:00pm
916 S. Wabash
Join us as we screen the documentary The People’s Crisis, followed by a discussion and Q & A session with members of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), the only full-time grassroots organization in North America devoted to the North Korean humanitarian and refugee crisis. This organization provides protection and aid to North Korean refugees hiding in China and, utilizing a modern-day underground railroad through Southeast Asia, rescues refugees and helps them to reach freedom. LiNK provides a way for the international community to take part in bringing about effective change.

Presented by the International Student Organization (ISO) and co-sponsored by Asian American Cultural Affairs and the Asian Student Organization (ASO).


Cultural Excursion: Kavi Gupta Gallery
Friday, April 6, 2012
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Meet at Multicultural Affairs Conference Room, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor
Get an inside look at the contemporary art world through the eyes of a Chicago pioneer. Kavi Gupta opened his namesake gallery in 1999 and helped create a thriving arts district in the West Loop. He now represents artists like Theaster Gates, Curtis Mann, Angel Otero, Melanie Schiff, and Tony Tasset. This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event includes a tour of the gallery and a Q&A with owner Kavi Gupta.

We will meet at the Multicultural Affairs office (618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor) at 3:00pm and take the bus from there to Kavi Gupta Gallery (835 W. Washington).

Reservations required – email rgupta@colum.edu by Wednesday, April 4.



Cultural Excursion: Big in Bollywood
Monday, April 9, 2012
5:30pm – 7:45pm
Meet at Multicultural Affairs, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor
The 17th Annual Asian American Showcase features this playful documentary following the Bollywood saga of American-born actor Omi Vaidya as he is plucked out of obscurity to co-star opposite “the Tom Cruise of India” in 3 IDIOTS, the biggest blockbuster in the history of Indian cinema. We will meet at the Multicultural Affairs office (618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor) at 5:30pm and take the bus from there to the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State St.)

Seating is limited – first-come, first-served.

RSVP to rgupta@colum.edu by Thursday, April 5.

A2 Art Fair - ROOTS: Branching Out through Culture
Thursday, April 12, 2012
12:00pm – 9:00pm
Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor
Join us we celebrate the work of Columbia College Chicago’s Asian Pacific American community and the Asian Student Organization!
12:00pm – 5:00pm: Visual art exhibition
5:00pm – 6:00pm: Reception
6:00pm – 9:00pm: Performances

 

28th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival: Opening Night
Friday, April 13 | 5 p.m.
Contact daranda@colum.edu for details.
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the oldest and most comprehensive Latino film festival in the country, representing over 100 films in an array of genres (fiction, animation, documentary, and shorts) that reflect the great diversity of Latino culture from the United States, Latin America, and Spain.  For almost 30 years, the festival has cultivated an intricate network composed of Latino artists, creators, and innovators from the film and art universe. The festival has grown from 500 attendees to more than 35,000, clear evidence of the demand for quality Latino arts programming in Chicago. As noted in Hispanic Magazine, “The Chicago Latino Film Festival is now the largest, oldest and best Latino film festival in the country.” The festival aims to provoke the audience and challenge oversimplified, mainstream, and standardized images of Latino identity by demonstrating through cultural expressions that Latinos are defined by more than 20 different nationalities and come from diverse racial and social backgrounds.  Audience members from all walks of life enjoy the cultural and educational programming including film screenings, workshops, and special events held in various venues, colleges, universities and community-based organizations.

 

Gender Fusions 8: Gayme On featuring the Nara Movement
Saturday, April 14, 2012
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor
Gender Fusions, Columbia’s mind-blowing, genre-busting night of queer performances and community dialogue, features the Nara Movement, a collective of teaching artists working with immigrants for community development through popular education, performing scenes from Louie Pascasio’s original play Charlie.

Presented by the Office of LGBTQ Culture & Community.


Young Sun Han: Making the Personal Public
Monday, April 16, 2012
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Multicultural Affairs, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor, Multipurpose Studio
Join us for a discussion with Korean-American/Kiwi artist Young Sun Han, the runner-up on Season 2 of Bravo’s reality competition “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.” Han will address making the intimate/personal very public, a recurring theme in his work that was amplified by the reality TV experience.

A global citizen whose photography, installation, and performance art work has been exhibited and sold around the world, the SAIC graduate was named one of the country's top ten emerging artists to watch by the New Zealand Herald's Canvas magazine. Han considers himself as much a philosopher as an artist, using his art as a way to visually demonstrate his beliefs about the human experience, sexuality, intimacy between strangers, and the merging of life and art. He recently launched his artist book, sooner later, at Las Manos Gallery, Chicago, and Printed Matter, NYC, to benefit Life Funds for North Korean Refugees.

Co-sponsored by the Office of LGBTQ Culture & Community.


Theatre of the Oppressed: Decolonization of the Body
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Multicultural Affairs, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor, Multipurpose Studio
Join us for an interactive exercise in exploring classism and power structures that affect immigration policies. A departure from the conventional sit-down lecture, this workshop uses an experiential approach to pinpoint and hopefully solve these problems. It is based on the techniques of the Theater of the Oppressed, an organizing tool for communities in struggle that develops skills of observation, self-reflection, and cooperative group interaction. Led by Chicagoan Je Nepomuceno, a Filipina musician, activist, and teaching artist and founder of the Nara Movement Project.

Multicultural Student Call-a-thon
Tuesday, April 17 | 4:45 p.m.
Undergraduate Admissions | 600 S. Michigan Ave./3rd Floor
Multicultural Affairs has partnered with Undergraduate Admission to offer an extraordinary opportunity for students to be involved in the Call-a-thon program this fall. This opportunity involves current students making phone calls to prospective Latino students and answering their questions about Columbia. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with Latino students in high school who were once like yourself and wondered about college. Join us in spreading the word on why Columbia is such a wonderful place to learn and live what you love.  Free pizza and soda is always served to volunteers. If you are interested in joining our effort, please contact Gemini Wadley in Undergraduate Admission at gwadley@colum.edu.


28th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival: Night of Brazil
Wednesday, April 18 | 5 p.m.
Contact daranda@colum.edu for details.
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the oldest and most comprehensive Latino film festival in the country, representing over 100 films in an array of genres (fiction, animation, documentary, and shorts) that reflect the great diversity of Latino culture from the United States, Latin America, and Spain.  For almost 30 years, the festival has cultivated an intricate network composed of Latino artists, creators, and innovators from the film and art universe. The festival has grown from 500 attendees to more than 35,000, clear evidence of the demand for quality Latino arts programming in Chicago. As noted in Hispanic Magazine, “The Chicago Latino Film Festival is now the largest, oldest and best Latino film festival in the country.” The festival aims to provoke the audience and challenge oversimplified, mainstream, and standardized images of Latino identity by demonstrating through cultural expressions that Latinos are defined by more than 20 different nationalities and come from diverse racial and social backgrounds.  Audience members from all walks of life enjoy the cultural and educational programming including film screenings, workshops, and special events held in various venues, colleges, universities and community-based organizations.

 

APA Heritage Month Celebration featuring Bop Alloy
Thursday, April 19, 2012
7:30pm – 9:00pm
Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash, 1st floor
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Jazz Hop artists Bop Alloy (MC Substantial and producer Marcus D). Heavily influenced by Japanese hip hop producer and DJ Nujabes, this up-and-coming duo defines its sound with baritone vocals, fluid flows, and honest lyrics over hypnotic melodies and pounding drums.

RSVPs on Facebook or to rgupta@colum.edu are appreciated.

Multicultural Student Call-a-thon
Thursday, April 19 - 4:45 p.m.
Undergraduate Admissions | 600 S. Michigan Ave./3rd Floor
Multicultural Affairs has partnered with Undergraduate Admission to offer an extraordinary opportunity for students to be involved in the Call-a-thon program this fall. This opportunity involves current students making phone calls to prospective Latino students and answering their questions about Columbia. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with Latino students in high school who were once like yourself and wondered about college. Join us in spreading the word on why Columbia is such a wonderful place to learn and live what you love.  Free pizza and soda is always served to volunteers. If you are interested in joining our effort, please contact Gemini Wadley in Undergraduate Admission at gwadley@colum.edu.

Independent Hip Hop with Bop Alloy
Friday, April 20, 2012
11:00am – 12:30pm
Multicultural Affairs, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 4th floor, Multipurpose Studio
Join us for a special workshop with Jazz Hop artists Bop Alloy. MC Substantial and producer Marcus D will lead a discussion of hip hop history, independent hip hop in the Asian market, and their experience working with influential Japanese DJ and producer Nujabes.

RSVPs on Facebook or to rgupta@colum.edu are appreciated.

Latin Pop Rock Ensemble
Tuesday, April 24 | 12 p.m.
Concert Hall | 1014 S. Michigan Ave.
The Pop Orchestra specializes in music from the classic rock/contemporary era. The Ensemble utilizes the standard guitar, bass, drums, rhythm, and also employs trumpet, alto and tenor sax, trombone, and three to four vocalists.

 

12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates featuring the Dalai Lama
Wednesday, April 25
11:45am – 2:00pm
Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Select members of the Asian Student Organization and One Tribe Scholars will attend the last day of this international event to learn about peace and human rights from world leaders including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Jayantha Dhanapala, and Tawakkol Karman.

 Latin Jazz Ensemble
Wednesday, April 25 | 12 p.m.
Concert Hall | 1014 S. Michigan Ave.
Director Ruben Alvarez leads students in a performance of the musical traditions of Cuba (Bembe, Rhumba, Mambo, Songo, etc), Brazil (Samba, Bossa Nova), and Puerto Rico (Bomba) using the rhythms & performance techniques of various Latin percussion instruments.


28th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival: Closing Night
Wednesday, April 25 | 5 p.m.
Contact daranda@colum.edu for details.
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is the oldest and most comprehensive Latino film festival in the country, representing over 100 films in an array of genres (fiction, animation, documentary, and shorts) that reflect the great diversity of Latino culture from the United States, Latin America, and Spain.  For almost 30 years, the festival has cultivated an intricate network composed of Latino artists, creators, and innovators from the film and art universe. The festival has grown from 500 attendees to more than 35,000, clear evidence of the demand for quality Latino arts programming in Chicago. As noted in Hispanic Magazine, “The Chicago Latino Film Festival is now the largest, oldest and best Latino film festival in the country.” The festival aims to provoke the audience and challenge oversimplified, mainstream, and standardized images of Latino identity by demonstrating through cultural expressions that Latinos are defined by more than 20 different nationalities and come from diverse racial and social backgrounds.  Audience members from all walks of life enjoy the cultural and educational programming including film screenings, workshops, and special events held in various venues, colleges, universities and community-based organizations.


m a y
 
Friday May 4 - All Day
MANIFEST
Columbia College Chicago campus