Call Number:

AC398

Repository:

Princeton University Library: University Archives

Extent:

18 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); (Collection Title), Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1969-2017 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Lewis Center for the Arts.

Form:

Photographs, Original., DVDs., and Born digital.

Abstract:

The Lewis Center for the Arts was created in 2006 to serve as the organizational home of several of the University's academic programs, including creative writing, dance, music theater, theater, visual arts, and the Princeton Atelier. The records currently contain files of the Princeton Atelier, photographs of dance at Princeton, recordings of public lectures, and books to commemorate visual arts thesis shows.

The Lewis Center for the Arts was created in 2006 to serve as the organizational home of several of the University's academic programs, including creative writing, dance, music theater, theater, visual arts, and the Princeton Atelier. Named for Peter B. Lewis '1955, the Center also hosts arts-related fellowships, programs, lectures, and performances for the university and local community in Princeton.

The study of dance at Princeton began with introduction of coeducation in 1969 and, under the forty year leadership of Ze'eva Cohen, strengthened until it became an official academic offering in 1975 and an autonomous program in 2009. The study of dance encompasses both theoretical and critical aspects as well as physical technique and performance. Over the years, students have practiced and performed at several venues including Alexander Hall in Richardson Auditorium, the Patricia and Ward Hagan '48 Dance Studio, the Roger S. Berlind Theatre and at the Lewis Center for the Arts.

Toni Morrison founded the Princeton Atelier, an interdisciplinary program of seminars in which guest artists--musicians, dancers, directors and actors, filmmakers, writers and visual artists--lead a collaborative effort with students. Artists have often worked in pairs or teams to teach the courses, often bringing at least two genres together. The program has tended to invite working artists who do not normally teach in a university. Faculty members in the arts have also co-taught the seminars. Courses have often culminated in a performance or exhibit.

The first Atelier seminar took place in 1994. Morrison served as the director until 2006, with poet Paul Muldoon joining her as co-director in 2004 and taking over the responsibility in 2006.

The Program in Dance records primarily consist of photographs of dance at Princeton collected by Professor Ze'eva Cohen. Also included are slides of Cohen's dance classes from the 1970s and DVDs of events sponsored by the Lewis Center, such as "The Best of Princeton: Alumni Choreographer and Dancers in Concert" and "40 Years of Dance at Princeton: A Tribute to Ze'eva Cohen."

The Program in Visual Arts series includes two volumes of images of student work from senior thesis shows in 2018 and 2019.

The recordings of lectures and programs in Series 3 come from events sponsored by the Lewis Center and various partners.

The records of the Princeton Atelier consist of administrative files, including planning and inception files, files on guest artists, and files on each course, including course proposals, course catalog ads, correspondence with guest artists and teachers, syllabi and schedules, application material, programs and flyers for performances. Publicity files contain flyers, posters and programs, promotional booklets and clippings. The series also contains photographs of courses, rehearsals and performances, as well as audiovisual material, primarily taped end-of-semester performances.