With a focus on elevating and enhancing the visibility and impact of the arts and humanities, Greg Reihman, vice provost for Arts and Libraries, oversees and helps align these core resources with the universityʼs broader strategy.
What is the goal of Arts and Libraries?
Our main goal is to strengthen and elevate the arts and libraries. That means making sure these organizations are on firm footing as we think about the future in terms of curating resources, strengthening our collections and enhancing programming.
It also means setting ambitious goals to ensure that every student has a transformative engagement with the arts and connects in a meaningful way to the vast resources that are available to them within our library systems.
How will Arts and Libraries build upon the success of Lehighʼs arts organizations?
There are many vibrant and active partnerships among faculty, staff and students across the university, and thereʼs more that we can do to deepen and expand those connections. My hope is that every student knows that these resources and programs are here for them, and to help ensure that, whenever we describe whatʼs amazing about a Lehigh education, we highlight how you can engage in your disciplinary work and also have these amazing aesthetic, artistic, scholarly and creative experiences.
How will you explore ways to deepen Arts and Libraries experiences for community members?
Thereʼs an opportunity for more synergy and collaboration. For example, as people come to a Zoellner show or LUAG, it would be great for them to get a glimpse of whatʼs also happening in Special Collections through an exhibition of our books or materials that are connected to the exhibits or a performance. And vice versa: There are countless opportunities to showcase the arts in, on and around the libraries.
How do you envision Arts and Libraries strengthening Lehighʼs relationships with the surrounding community?
We are looking into new possibilities for partnerships and strengthening existing partnerships. I encourage people across the Lehigh Valley to come on campus—which too is a work of art—and be inspired and transformed by Lehighʼs remarkable architecture and outdoor sculpture. When you visit, seize the opportunity to benefit from the remarkable collections, performances and programs we have to offer.
What aspects of your new role are most exciting?
I've been at Lehigh for 22 years. It's exciting to engage with and deepen my own appreciation of our world-class resources, inspiring programs and brilliant staff. When you engage deeply with scholarly materials or artistic moments, they transform you. As a teacher and scholar, those transformational moments have been so important to me, and I am energized by the opportunity to make it easier for more people to have more of those moments.
