EVDOL 40 - Arts and the Rule of Law

“A government of laws, not of men.”
—Massachusetts Constitution, 1780

With these seven words, John Adams gave voice to a revolutionary ideal: that justice is not the whim of rulers, but the shared promise of a people. The Rule of Law—an enduring cornerstone of a just society—holds that no one is above the law, and that all laws must be public, fair, and grounded in respect for fundamental rights.

But what does it feel like to live in a society that adheres to those principles - or one that does not? How have they been celebrated, challenged, or shattered in the human story—and how have artists responded?

From Beethoven’s Fidelio to Picasso’s Guernica, from courtroom dramas to protest songs, artists across time have interpreted and illuminated the moral force of justice. Their works have given voice to the voiceless, questioned authority, and offered vision where law alone could not reach.

This special course, led by Lesley Rosenthal—Juilliard’s Chief Operating Officer, a leading figure in the worlds of law and the performing arts —explores the Rule of Law, not as a static legal theory, but as a living ideal. Questions about democracy and authoritarianism have stirred imaginations, provoked conscience, and inspired transformative works of art. 

In this class, student will: 

• Examine the historical and philosophical foundations of the Rule of Law
• Explore its expression across music and other genres
• Engage in discussion connecting civic ideals with aesthetic power
• Create original work, or expound upon existing work, that responds to and reinterprets these enduring principles

Ideal for artists, educators, lifelong learners, and anyone curious about how law and the arts intersect in the pursuit of justice, this course invites you to consider: How can creative expression uphold, question, or redefine the laws that govern us? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn with one of Juilliard’s most inspiring leaders.

Ability to read music is not required for this course. 

Biography: Lesley Rosenthal is a transformative leader at the intersection of arts, law, and cultural diplomacy, serving as Chief Operating Officer of The Juilliard School after a distinguished tenure at Lincoln Center, where she led groundbreaking initiatives in law, governance, and public access programs. In 2021, she co-led the historic rescue of 273 Afghan musicians from Taliban danger, securing their safety and asylum. An accomplished artist and scholar herself, Rosenthal is also the author of Good Counsel, an influential guide to nonprofit leadership. She is also an active performing artist, co-librettist of the jazz opera Dear Erich, and a visual artist whose work has been exhibited in the U.S. and abroad. Her leadership and humanitarian contributions have been recognized her alma mater, Harvard University, the National Organization for Women, and the New York State Bar Association, among others. In 2025 she received the Maria Callas Festival Medal in Verona, Italy.

One Section Available | 11 Classes Total | Extension Holiday Schedule

Mondays 5:30–7pm ET

September 29–December 15

In Person Only

$495 

Register by Phone: (212) 799-5000 ext. 273

Our phone line is open Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am–5:00 pm ET.