Jordan Schnitzer, in a partnership with the Jordan Schnitzer Museums of Art at the University of Oregon, Washington State University, and Portland State University, is establishing an $150,000 Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Artist Grant Program in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Each Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will award twenty $2,500 grants to artists who use their voices, experiences, and artistic expression to reflect on social justice efforts in response to systemic racism.
“I have often said artists are chroniclers of our time. We all feel anguish about the death of George Floyd and many others at the hands of racial oppression,” said Jordan Schnitzer, president of The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation and the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation. “We, more than ever, need artists to help us understand this issue and help us heal.”
Artists residing throughout Oregon and Washington are encouraged to submit proposals for new work or projects, or recently created work directly responding to the current Black Lives Matter movement, responding to marginalized communities, experiences with systemic racism and inequality, and artists whose work thematically connects to these experiences. Artists working in all mediums are invited to apply. Interested artists should submit their applications no later than September 30, 2020. Submission instructions may be found on the art museum’s website beginning on August 3. Winners will be announced on October 31 and selected works will be exhibited at the Jordan Schnitzer Museums of Art when the museums reopen.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE ARTIST GRANT PROGRAM:
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon will work in partnership with The Lyllye-Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center to determine grant recipients in mid-Willamette Valley responding to the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We believe museums and cultural centers have a responsibility to educate and teach from an anti-racist and equity lens through our cultural and education programs, and to amplify the voices of artists engaging in this critical work,” says John Weber, JSMA Executive Director. “I want to thank Jordan for establishing this program. When words are not enough, art can move people to change. Art can be a powerful tool for social justice. We need to do more, we can, and we must. The museum stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.”
Panelists at University of Oregon include:
- John Weber, Executive Director of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at UO
- Dr. Aris Hall, Coordinator, Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
- Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Phyllis and Andrew Berwick Dean, UO School of Music and Dance
- Jamar Bean, Program Director, Multicultural Center
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University will work in partnership with the WSU Office of Outreach and Education; the Black Student Union; the Department of Fine Arts; the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race; and the Honors College.
“We are committed to fostering greater equity, inclusion, and diversity in all our work, recognizing museums must do more as true allies in places of education, learning and community-building,” said Ryan Hardesty, interim executive director at the museum. “Coupled with progressive programming, art and artists act as powerful agents of social change moving people to new understandings of diverse perspectives.”
Panelists at Washington State University include:
- Ryan Hardesty, Interim Executive Director at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU
- Io Palmer, Associate Professor at the Department of Fine Arts WSU
- Lisa Guerrero, Professor of Comparative Ethnic Studies and American Studies and Culture at the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race WSU
- Trymaine Gaither, Recruitment and Career Coordinator at the Honors College WSU
- Representatives from the Office of Outreach and Education WSU; and the Black Student Union WSU
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University will work in partnership with Global Diversity and Inclusion to determine grant recipients in Portland Metro Area.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity to our Portland community,” said PSU’s Provost Susan Jeffords. “We witness the voices of our vibrant city growing stronger and we wish to acknowledge and amplify their messages, most importantly their calls for an end to systemic racism. As Tony Cade Bambara, civil rights artist and activist, once said, ‘The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.’” We look forward to showcasing these artistic endeavors on our museum walls once we can fully open our campus safely. We commend Jordan’s vision and commitment towards being proactive in this important movement. We thank him for his continued support of Portland State University and the Jordan Schnitzer Museums of Art.”
Panelists at the Portland State University include:
- Lisa Jarrett, Assistant Professor, Art Practices
- Arvie Smith, Portland-based artist
- Michael Stephenson, candidate for the MFA in Art and Social Practice
- Leroy Bynum, Dean of Portland State University’s College of the Arts
