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.
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.