# Mission & History

**Source**: https://arts.princeton.edu/about/mission-history/
**Parent**: https://arts.princeton.edu/courses/fabric-logics-textiles-as-sculpture-fa-20/

#### About

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# Mission & History ---

## Mission Statement

At the Lewis Center for the Arts, we believe that art arises out of questions. Art, on a campus like Princeton’s, is so much more than an “outlet” for expressing what one already knows and feels, or an “escape hatch” for blowing off steam built up by more rigorous kinds of work. Our classes and minor programs in Dance, Creative Writing, Theater & Music Theater, Visual Arts and in the interdisciplinary Princeton Atelier operate on the principle that rigorous artistic practice is a form of research, innovation, discovery and intervention. Like scholarship of any kind, rigorous artistic practice is a way of interrogating that which is accepted or understood in an attempt to break into the territory of the unknown or under-explored.

Through their individual creative work, Lewis Center students investigate questions about themselves, others, and the events and systems that affect us all—systems like geography, politics, gender, race, the economy, the environment, and of course the wide realm of human choice and activity. This is fundamental to the formation of artists. It is also fundamental to the formation of alert, compassionate, creative, resourceful, and active rather than passive people.

The Lewis Center is committed to being an anti-racist space. We endeavor to frequently reappraise and redouble our efforts toward this goal. Our [commitment to diversity and inclusion](https://arts.princeton.edu/climate-inclusion-statement-of-purpose-principles-and-practices/) is not nominal or symbolic, but rather action-based. Our faculty, classes, public programs, co-curricular offerings and our engagement with the community beyond Princeton reflect these values.

## History

In a report presented to the University’s Board of Trustees on January 20, 2006, former President Shirley Tilghman heralded a [sweeping initiative for Princeton](https://arts.princeton.edu/arts-initiative/) “not only to expand its programs in the creative and performing arts, but to establish itself as a global leader in the quality of its offerings and in their integration into a broader liberal arts education.”

The result was the formation of a new Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, thereafter named the Lewis Center for the Arts in honor of its lead patron, [Peter B. Lewis ’55](http://arts.princeton.edu/in-memoriam-peter-b-lewis-55/ "Peter B. Lewis ’55").

The Lewis Center brings together Princeton’s academic programs in , , [Theater & Music Theater,](/academics/theater/)  and the , with guest artists and Fellows. Arts research, instruction, performance, co-curricular activities and public programming provide Princeton’s community with opportunities for engagement, reflection and inspiration.

Today, the Lewis Center encompasses multiple [venues](https://arts.princeton.edu/about/venues-studios/) on the Princeton campus, including 185 Nassau Street (Program in Visual Arts), New South Building (Program in Creative Writing), and the Lewis Arts complex (Programs in Dance, Theater & Music Theater, as well as the Princeton Atelier).

## Lewis Center Leadership

**Current Chair**: , 2022 –

Past Acting Chair: , 2021 – 2022

Past Chair: , 2019 – 2021

Past Chair: , 2012-2019

Founding Chair: , 2006 – 2012

Learn about members of the [Lewis Center Advisory Council](https://arts.princeton.edu/people/advisory-council/)

## Diversity and Non-Discrimination

Princeton University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. To maximize excellence, we seek talent from all segments of American society and the world, and we take steps to ensure everyone at Princeton can thrive while they are here. That is the sole rationale and purpose of our diversity and inclusion programs, all of which are voluntary and open to all, and which comply with federal and state non-discrimination laws. Princeton does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic, and Princeton does not provide special benefits or preferential treatment on the basis of a protected characteristic.