Campus Art

The Campus Art Program at Princeton University seeks to enrich the University’s visual and intellectual environment by placing works of art in strategic locations across the campus. The Campus Art Program gives expression in intelligible and symbolic form to the experience of University members and visitors as members of a public society, relating individual works of public art to the educational, cultural, historical, social, or political dimensions of its environment.

Works of campus art enrich the broad University community as well as visitors by enhancing the educational experience; deepening a sense of place and the experience of space; stimulating diverse viewer responses; encouraging questioning; and creating lively gathering spots. As such, the Campus Art Program extends, and is a reflection of, the University’s core educational and research missions.

All proposed works of public art for the Princeton University campus—whether to adorn outdoor spaces, the facades of buildings, or the public spaces of University buildings (particularly those buildings serving a significant public function)—must be reviewed and recommended by the Campus Art Steering Committee. The Committee reviews all proposed works of campus art and forwards its recommendation for or against to the Executive Vice President for a final decision.

The work of the Committee is led by two co-chairs, who are the Director of the University Art Museum and the University Architect. The Committee membership is composed of various members of the University community who serve at the invitation of the Executive Vice President. Because one of the goals for campus art at Princeton is to elevate the stature and volume of public art on the University campus, individual units are advised to contact one of the Committee co-chairs early in the process of considering acceptance of a gift, considering a purchase or commission, or otherwise considering siting or re-siting of an extant work of campus art.