How can I wire an array of ceiling lights for easy reconfigurability?
While you are talking about switches, I would suggest using dimmers, if your light source allows you.  Incandescent, low voltage, LED and some screw in CFLS can be dimmed and that would really change the look of your room.  Straight plug in PL's like 4 pin compact fluorescents in most cases wont be dimmable.  Also, watch your wattage, but from the sounds of what you want to do, it probably wont be a problem.  You can get dimmers from probably $5.00 to $50.00, depending on the quality and the light source.  Lutron is my favorite dimmer, but there are other brands that are well made.
Here's another way that won't be cheap, but it's probably the cheapest in 'home automation'.  There are many systems out there, most are easily customized for zones or scenes.  They come in switches and dimmers, even some can be set up as a switch and dimmer.  All of these wire up like a switch of dimmer would, and are easily expandable. It just depends on what is in your wallet, the rest is up to your imagination. Here is the Insteon brand;


Here are some of the brands that I can think of, Leviton Viziz RF, Cooper Wiring Device Aspire RF or as shown in the pictures, Insteon.
All are good but Insteon is backwards compatible with X10 and has more security, garage door monitoring, remote monitoring and as with all above, you can easily access your system from your browser, anywhere in the world.