The mission of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts is to enhance Ellington’s reputation as a composer beyond category.  By encouraging the production of Ellington’s large works, and their study in classrooms, our mission is to promote this composer’s oeuvre not only as a body of music but as works that invite collaboration with artists in many fields: lyricists, and musicians: writers, dramatists, and actors: choreographers and dancers: painters, film-makers, and other visual artists.

written by Bob O’Meally

approved unanimously by

The Board of Directors