I'm very pleased to have joined the Princeton University Art Museum as its new director in April 2009. This Museum is one of the finest university art museums in the world, with a history extending back 128 years and collections of over 72,000 works of art spanning the world of art from antiquity to the present. As one of few university museums of truly universal scope in its collecting practices, we are delighted to share with you our collections, exhibitions, educational activities, social opportunities, whether via this Web site or, we hope, in person.

Located at the heart of Princeton University, one of the world's great research universities in the charming small-city setting of Princeton, New Jersey, but within easy reach of both New York and Philadelphia, the Museum is committed to advancing the teaching and research missions of this great institution while serving as a gateway to the University for visitors from the community and from distant locations. Welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year, the Museum is pleased to offer a respite from the rush of daily life, a revitalizing experience of extraordinary works of art past and present, and opportunities to delve deeper into the study of art for those who wish it. We look forward in the coming months to refreshing the look of the Museum and of this Web site, to further invigorating our exhibitions and other public programs, and to continuing to build our collections and their on-line presence with you, the visitor, in mind.

Whether your visit is virtual or in person, we hope you enjoy your time with us, and welcome your comments.

James Christen Steward
Director