EUGENE, Ore. -- (July 1, 2019) - John Weber, the founding director of the University of California Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences, will be the next executive director for the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
Weber is set to join the museum staff Oct. 1 and will replace Jill Hartz, who announced her retirement last fall.
As the Santa Cruz institute’s founding director, Weber has a solid history working in both academic and public art museums, said Scott Pratt, UO’s executive vice provost.
“John brings a lot to the table when it comes to experience in executive leadership and working in a teaching museum,” Pratt said. “His skill set makes him an excellent choice to help guide the JSMA. We are excited to have him join us at UO.”
Jordan Schnitzer, the president of Harsch Investment Properties and the namesake of the UO museum, said he is excited about the chance to collaborate with Weber.
“I have known and worked with John for over 30 years and am confident he can fill the ‘big shoes’ that retiring director Jill Hartz wore for the last 12 years,” Schnitzer said. “John understands the role of a university museum, as well as leading an art museum for the community and state. Eminently respected in the art world, he brings amazing connections and leadership to our museum.”
Weber has been in his position at UC Santa Cruz since 2013, and he established strong ties among faculty members, students and the community around art. He was responsible for establishing and building the institute’s national and international reputation by bringing in visiting artists, scholars and curatorial projects to UC Santa Cruz.
“John’s hire signals the University of Oregon’s strong commitment to the future of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art,” said UO President Michael H. Schill. “The JSMA is a campus treasure, one that not only serves as a beacon to our students, faculty and staff but also plays a critical role in extending the impact of art and arts education throughout our community and across the state. I look forward to enhancing that reach under John’s leadership.”
To read Pratt’s announcement about the selection of Weber, visit to the provost’s website.
About the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
The University of Oregon's Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a premier Pacific Northwest museum for exhibitions and collections of historic and contemporary art. The mission of the museum is to enhance the University of Oregon’s academic mission and to further the appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts for the general public. The JSMA features significant collections galleries devoted to art from China, Japan, Korea, Europe, and the Americas as well as changing special exhibition galleries. The JSMA is one of seven museums—and the only academic art museum-- in Oregon accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located on the University of Oregon campus at 1430 Johnson Lane. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. Free admission is given to ages 18 and under, JSMA members, college students with ID, and University of Oregon faculty, staff and students. For information, contact the JSMA, 541-346-3027.
Contact: Debbie Williamson Smith, 541-346-0942, debbiews@uoregon.edu
Links: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, http://jsma.uoregon.edu
