The Foundation seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the visual and built arts. Integral to its mission is the experience of the building, which provides a tranquil place for contemplation, enjoyment and study. As James N. Wood, Director and President of The Art Institute of Chicago and a member of the PFA Board, explains, "One of the great strengths of America's cultural institutions is their remarkable variety. The opening of the Pulitzer Foundation adds a new and distinctive voice to this extraordinary company. There is no single or preferred way of experiencing the art of our time or that of the past. I am confident that the Foundation's contribution will be both subtle and essential.