Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center was constructed during 1996 and opened its doors for its inaugural season in 1997-98. The center was conceived as the home for both the academic departments and a professional guest artist series, all served by the same professional Zoellner staff. The Music Department, the Department of Theatre, the Art Galleries and the Guest Artist series share all building resources--space, equipment and personnel--with one another. The center's mission is to create an environment where artists and students of the arts develop and learn; to educate, captivate and inspire performers and audiences by presenting a variety of vibrant, high-quality performing arts events, exhibits and scholastic programs; and to develop new audiences.