QU E RY & QUOTES
ARTISTIC ENRICHMENT
JSMA: THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTING THE IN-PERSON EXPERIENCE QUOTED: Jill Hartz, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
HOW DID THE JORDAN SCHNITZER MUSEUM OF ART FIRST GET ITS START?
HOW DOES THE JORDAN SCHNITZER MUSEUM OF ART PROMOTE CREATIVITY IN THE COMMUNITY?
Our founding collector and first director, Gertrude Bass Warner, offered the University of Oregon her Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art—if it would build a museum to house the collection. The new museum, designed by UO’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts Dean Ellis Lawrence, opened in 1933.
Those of us who work at and love museums believe that there is no substitute for seeing a work of art in person. That direct connection with art has always been one of the most effective ways for a person to get outside their daily routine and get recharged and refreshed; that leads to creativity in so many ways. We also offer art workshops, family days, exhibitions and public programs that invite us to challenge our ideas about ourselves and our world and envision new possibilities.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES YOU PARTICULARLY PROUD? We have fantastic collections, exhibitions and public programs, but we especially have brilliant staff who are visionaries and practical. They are committed to making this museum both one of the finest teaching museums in the country and a world-class art museum for our community.
“Direct connection with art has always been one of the most effective ways for a person to get
HOW DOES THE CREATIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE JORDAN SCHNITZER MUSEUM OF ART TRANSLATE TO THE EMPLOYEES? Creativity and innovation are hallmarks of our staff, and our visitors benefit as a result. Many of our staff members are artists, so they have a special connection to what we show and how visitors might respond. Many staff members also participate in our arts workshops and attend our public programs, so they can be inspired by the power of art. We have a pretty low turnover, with many employees staying with us for years. I think they find that our arts environment and mission enrich their lives and energize their work. WHAT MAKES YOUR ORGANIZATION UNIQUE? The JSMA is the only accredited academic art museum in Oregon. It was the first academic museum in the U.S. to be founded as an Asian art museum. Our Masterworks on Loan program brings unbelievably important works to Eugene for our entire community to enjoy.
outside their daily routine and get recharged and refreshed.”
WHICH CHAMBER EXPERIENCE HAS IMPACTED YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS THE MOST THIS YEAR? Arts After Hours, the annual Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene event in April, is always a highlight. It provides the JSMA an opportunity to make connections with our business community, whose members can help support what we do for the community—from our exhibitions to art workshop and outreach for family, youth and underserved populations—they help us to think big!
See current JSMA collections, exhibitions and upcoming events at jsma.uoregon.edu
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