The Lewis Center for the Arts location at 185 Nassau Street is the home of the Program in Visual Arts, including film. The building was converted from an elementary school many years ago and houses the Hagan Studio for exhibitions, James Stewart Film Theater for film screenings, lectures and panel discussions, and the Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio for theater performances and other presentations, all on the first floor, and the Lucas Gallery on the second floor. In addition, larger classrooms are sometimes used for small public lectures, and the annual Open Studios event provides a behind-the-scenes look at the art studios of junior and senior visual arts students.
How do I get to 185 Nassau?
Limited free parking is available adjacent to 185 Nassau Street in Lot 10 (after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends) or in Parking Lots 21 and 23 on the campus. The primary public entrance is from Lot 10; the Nassau Street/front door is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and usually for events scheduled in the building after regular business hours.Accessible parking, as well as medical permit parking, is available on a first-come, first-served basis for vehicles with handicapped placards and/or license plates in Lot 10 off Williams Street, directly behind 185 Nassau St. The lot is open and free to the public after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and at all times on weekends. Parking is available at meters in front of 185 Nassau Street. Find campus visitor parking options. To arrange for special parking during weekday hours, contact Princeton’s Transportation & Parking Services at 609-258-3157 or parking@princeton.edu during office hours, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Accessibility
Access from the Lot 10 parking lot is level and paved through the entrance to the back courtyard from the lot and into the doors of the building. There is a level change on the first floor served by a gently sloping ramp.
Performance Spaces and Galleries at 185 Nassau
James Stewart Film Theater, Floor 1
The James Stewart Film Theater is primarily a curricular space for the academic activities of the Program in Visual Arts and the Lewis Center for the Arts. As such, it is available only on rare occasions for public screenings and outside events. Should you wish to request use of the space, please use the EMS system, but please note that availability in the system does not translate to actual availability of the Stewart given the ongoing curricular and staffing requirements. We highly recommend that you also seek out other screening facilities on campus as you plan your event.
This 194-seat film theater is used for screenings, lectures and panel discussions. Entrance is from the back of the theater. The theater has raked fixed-chair seating reached via steps with spaces for wheelchair and companion seating in the top row.
A mechanized lift provides access to all levels in the Theater for a wheelchair or a patron with a mobility disability. See an event staff member in the Theater for assistance using the lift. It is suggested you plan to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance of the event start time for this assistance and for best choice of seating locations.
Hagan Studio, Floor 1
This is a gallery and exhibition space. Exhibitions may sometimes include three-dimensional works on the floor of the gallery, however effort is made to assure full access around and through the exhibition and to provide markers of work that may extend out from the walls.
Lucas Gallery, Floor 2
The Gallery can be reached via elevator from the first floor. Exhibitions may sometimes include three-dimensional works on the floor of the gallery, however effort is made to assure full access around and through the exhibition and to provide markers of work that may extend out from the walls.
Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio, Floor 1
This black box theater, which can seat up to 99, is configured in different ways for different productions with chairs that can be moved by house staff. The chairs are most often arrayed on risers with steps, but chairs or spaces for wheelchairs are also usually available on the floor. Patrons are encouraged to call in advance to inquire about the seating set-up, reserve a floor-level seat or wheelchair space (with companion seating) or let the house staff know of your need when you arrive (please try to arrive at least 15 minutes before curtain time).
The ticket counter serving the Acting Studio is somewhat high. If the counter height is not convenient, box office staff will come out to the lobby to serve you.