Portland State University announced today that Portland real estate developer and philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer and his charitable family foundation have made a $10 million gift commitment to support arts education and access at PSU while investing in downtown Portland.
The funds will provide capital support for a new PSU building dedicated to art and design, as well as operational funding for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, a free campus art museum launched in 2019 with support from Jordan Schnitzer. The $10 million gift will also help enhance the PSU campus as a downtown arts destination.
“My grandparents, my late parents Harold and Arlene Schnitzer and I believe in the importance of education,” Schnitzer said. “Education not only helps us have a great quality of life, but helps us get better jobs and build our communities. An arts education is the best background to think creatively, to learn to be innovative, to help build our workforce and economy, and most importantly, help solve society’s great challenges! My hope and the hope of my late parents is that this gift is also a sign of our commitment to downtown Portland, and Portland State University! In my opinion, this is a worthy philanthropic investment to help PSU continue to be an active part of a thriving downtown Portland. This is not only for students but everyone in the region.”
“I came to PSU eight months ago convinced of the power of urban universities to spark opportunity for students and for cities, and it was an absolute dream to immediately find in Jordan Schnitzer someone who shares that vision,” said PSU President Ann Cudd. “We at PSU are proud to partner with Jordan to offer inspiring spaces and places for arts students and for everyone who visits our downtown campus.”
A new name for PSU’s arts school recognizes PSU’s most generous benefactor family
In recognition of the Schnitzer family’s longstanding support, PSU will name its school of art and design the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design.
With this most recent gift, Jordan Schnitzer is furthering the PSU legacy begun by his parents, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer, who created at PSU the James DePreist Visiting Professorship in Art, the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies, and the Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize. In 2013, Arlene Schnitzer supported construction of the glass tower at Lincoln Hall to provide space for studios, an art gallery and a black box theater in honor of her husband. Together, the Schnitzer family’s total philanthropic commitment to PSU tops $21 million, making them PSU’s most generous benefactor family overall.
“It is a privilege to name our art school in honor of Jordan and his remarkable family,” said Leroy Bynum, dean of the PSU College of the Arts. “Ours is the most diverse art school in Oregon, and we take that mantle seriously. By supporting PSU, Jordan is also supporting an important place for artists, designers and makers from all backgrounds and lived experiences to question, reflect and create.”
The Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design is the primary provider of university-level public arts education in the Portland region, and it includes nationally ranked programs in graphic design and arts practice. Its degree program in Art and Social Practice is among the first of its kind in the nation to explore the relationship between art practice, community engagement and social justice.
An investment in Portland’s future and downtown Portland
Portland and Oregon legislators are celebrating this gift as an important moment for PSU and for downtown Portland.
“Last year, I launched the Portland Central City Task Force to bring together business, civic and educational leaders in a call to action to help revitalize downtown Portland,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “The success of Portland State University is integral to the vision we share for downtown, and I greatly appreciate Jordan Schnitzer for his commitment to the arts, to PSU and to the City of Portland, the economic engine of the state.”
“This investment comes at a critical time for Portland and Portland State University,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, whose district includes the PSU campus. “Art and culture are central to Portland’s identity and economy. With this gift, PSU will be positioned to cultivate the next generation of artists and creative thinkers in the region. I share the Schnitzer family’s understanding that the arts are foundational to our community and that arts help bring people together, share different perspectives, and foster the creativity, innovation and problem solving we need to meet the challenges of the future and to realize Portland’s potential. I commend Jordan Schnitzer for his ongoing support of the creative arts — and Portland State as well. Both profoundly benefit our state and community.”
“Jordan Schnitzer has never been one to sit on the sidelines when our community faces tough challenges,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “This investment is an important vote of confidence in Portland, just when we need it most. It will take this type of partnership between our community leaders, businesses and academic institutions to restore Portland’s thriving downtown arts, education and entertainment core.”
“This is a welcome investment in Portland's future that will provide significant resources toward revitalizing downtown Portland through arts and educational infrastructure,” said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. “Portland State University continues to positively impact our city through the advancement of education, economic and cultural programs."
What this gift will make possible
Five million dollars of the gift will support construction of a new home for the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, scheduled to open in 2026 at the southern edge of the South Park Blocks. The new facility will allow PSU to strengthen and expand key programs and offer additional resources to the campus community and public. Schnitzer’s gift provided philanthropic leverage to help unlock the $81.7 million in public bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature for the capital project.
Four million dollars of the gift will support operations for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, allowing free access to the most renowned artists of the 20th and 21st centuries from the collections of Jordan Schnitzer and the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation. The museum’s mission is to provide free, accessible art experiences to the PSU community and the Portland public by offering programs for all ages. It presents exhibitions by regional, national, and international artists and offers creative, educational, and research opportunities for PSU students, faculty, and staff in departments across campus.
One million dollars of the gift will help PSU enhance its urban campus through additional signage, lighting and outdoor art. This year, PSU launched an international design competition to generate innovative ideas for additional campus improvements, which the university plans to fund over time through philanthropy.
Schnitzer family ties to PSU campus
“In 1905, my grandfather, Sam Schnitzer, came to Portland from Ukraine. As an immigrant he came to America with dreams of having a family and building a business,” Schnitzer said. “Renting a small one-bedroom home, two blocks from the site of the new Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, he, along with my grandmother Rose, raised seven children, all of whom attended Shattuck Grade School two blocks away and Lincoln High School, now Lincoln Hall at PSU. My family is fortunate today to be able to help financially fund the new Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design at Portland State University.”
He continued: “My parents often said ‘to whom much is given, much is expected,’ but this applies to all of us. With this significant contribution, one of the largest in PSU’s history, we are joining others who also are thankful for all the opportunities we have had living and working in downtown Portland! I feel honored to be able to help construct a new home for the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, and hope that all of Portland’s citizens will do what they can to give back to this wonderful place we call home!”
“The Schnitzers’ is a family legacy at PSU that will stand the test of time,” said Sarah Schwarz, president of the PSU Foundation.