“For me, waking up each day without art around me would be like waking up without the sun. When you live with art around you, your mind and soul are filled with the beauty of life and the creativity of the human spirit.”Jordan D. Schnitzer
At age 14, Jordan D. Schnitzer bought his first work of art from his mother’s Portland, Oregon contemporary art gallery, evolving into his lifelong avocation as collector. He began collecting contemporary prints and multiples in earnest in 1988. Today, the collection exceeds 10,000 works and includes many of today’s most important contemporary artists. It has grown to be the country’s largest private print collection. He and his Family Foundation generously lend work from the collections to qualified institutions and have organized over 100 exhibitions at more than 100 museums.
Mr. Schnitzer is also President of Harsch Investment Properties, a privately owned real estate investment company based in Portland, Oregon, which owns and operates over 24 million square feet of office, multi-tenant industrial, multi-family and retail properties in six western states.
Professional Affiliations
- President, Harsch Investment Properties, Portland, Oregon – 1976–Present
Privately-held family real estate investment and development company which operates industrial, retail, office and multi-family properties in six western states. - President, Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, Portland, Oregon – 1997–Present
- Director, Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Portland, Oregon – 1997–Present
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Current
- President, Arlington Club Heritage Foundation, Portland, OR – 2011–Present
- President, Friends of Astoria Column, Astoria, OR – 1988–1993 / President 1993–Present
- Board of Visitors, Lewis & Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Portland, OR – 1982–Present
Previous
- Trustee, Northwest Academy, Board of Trustees, Portland, OR – 2014-2016
- Co-President, Congregation Shaarie Torah, Portland, OR – 2012–2015
- Chairman, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Portland, OR – 2004
President, 2004–2007
Co-President, 2007–2009
Chairman, 2009–2014 - Trustee, Greater Portland Hillel, Portland, OR – 2008–2013
- Director, Arlington Club, Portland, OR – 2008–2011
Vice President 2010–2011 - Trustee, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, DC – 1995–2007
- Trustee, University of Oregon Foundation, Eugene, OR – 1997–2007
- Trustee, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland, OR – 2004–2006
Vice President, 2004–2006 - Member, Portland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Citizens Crime Commission, Portland, OR – 1995–2005
- Member, University of Oregon Museum of Art Council, Eugene, OR – 1978–2002
President 1981–1983
Director Emeritus 2005–Present - Trustee, The Trust for Jewish Philanthropy, New York, NY – 2000–2003
- Member, Young Presidents’ Organization, Oregon Chapter – 1982–2001
- Trustee, The High Desert Museum, Bend, OR – 1992–2000
- Commissioner, Oregon Arts Commission, Salem, OR – 1997–1999
- Co-Chairman, $14 million Rose Schnitzer Manor Assisted Living Center, Portland, OR – 1987–1998
- Member, Governor’s Task Force on Cultural Development, Salem, OR – 1998
- Member, METRO (Metropolitan Service District) 2040 Means Business Committee, Portland, OR – 1995–1997
- Director, Portland Center Stage, Portland, OR – 1995–1997
- Member, City of Portland Downtown Alignment Oversight Group, Portland, OR – 1995–1997
- Director, The Japanese Garden Society of Oregon, Portland, OR – 1977–1997
President, 1987–1989 - Director, Providence Medical Foundation, Portland, OR – 1993–1997
- Member, ArtFair/Seattle Advisory Committee, Seattle, WA – 1992–1997
- Co-Chair, Multnomah Athletic Club Exercise and Conditioning Committee, Portland – 1990–1994
- Trustee, Robison Jewish Home for the Elderly, Portland, OR – 1981–1994
President, 1991–1993 - Chairman, City of Portland Light Rail Transit Committee, Portland, OR – 1989–1990, 1994
- Chairman, City of Portland Rail Alignment Committee, Portland, OR – 1991–1992
- Trustee, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Portland, OR – 1990–1992
- Member, University of Oregon Business Advisory Council, Eugene, OR – 1985–1990
- Trustee, Temple Beth Israel, Portland, OR – 1982–1988
- Trustee, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR – 1981–1987
Secretary, 1986–1987 - Chairman, $1.5 Million May Senior Apartments Committee – 1981–1983
- Executive Committee, Boy Scouts of America, Columbia Pacific Council, Portland, OR – 1980–1985
- Member, Associates of Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR – 1980–1983
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Southern Graphics Council International, Distinguished Advocate of Printmaking Award – 2016
- Architecture Foundation of Oregon, Honored Citizen Award – 2015
- Chehalem Cultural Center, Galaxy Award – 2015
- Washington State University, Honorary Degree, Doctor of Fine Arts – 2014
- Daily Journal of Commerce, Newsmakers Award – Portland, OR – 2014
- Portland State University, Simon Benson Award – 2012
- International Print Center New York, Honoree – 2011
- Lewis & Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Distinguished Business Law Graduate Award – 2011
- Mittleman Jewish Community Center Tribute Dinner Awardee – 2010
- Association of Fundraising Professionals, Oregon Chapter, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – 2009
- Catlin Gabel School, Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Portland, OR – 2008
- Portland Parks Foundation Legacy Circle Honoree, – Portland, OR – 2008
- Honorary Knight of the Royal Rosarians – Portland, OR – 2008
- City of Indian Wells, CA, Cultural Arts Proclamation – 2007
- University of Oregon, Presidential Medal Recipient – 2006
- Volunteers of America, Oregon DePreist Award for Excellence – 2005
- University of Oregon, Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, of Fame – 2005
- University of Oregon Art Museum renamed Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art – 2004
- State of Oregon Governor Arts Award – 2003
- Portland State University, President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy– 2002
- Marylhurst University, Leadership in the Arts Award – 2000
- University of Oregon Alumni Association, Portland Chapter Outstanding Alumnus – 1998
- Federal Republic of Germany, Friendship Award – 1997
- German-American Concord, Distinguished Service Award – 1997
- Astoria Regatta, Admiral – Astoria, OR – 1996
HONORARY AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
- Honorary Co-Chair, Volunteers of America DePriest Award Event – 2015
- Honorary Chair, Oregon Ballet Theater Gala – 2015, 2016, 2017
- Honorary Chair, Oregon Symphony Gala – 2015, 2016, 2017
- Honorary Chair, Northwest Academy 7.5 Million Capital Campaign, Portland, OR – 2012
- Director, International Print Center New York Advisory Council, New York, NY – 2007
- Honorary Board, Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale, WA – 2003–Present
- Honorary Co-chair, University Club Grand Reception, Portland, OR – 2010–2012
- Honorary Chair, Pacific Northwest College of Arts Auction, Portland, OR – 2009–2010
- Member, Advisory Council, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Pendleton, OR – 2003–2010
- Member, Executive Committee, Spirit of the Salmon Fund, Portland, OR – 2003–2010
- National Resource Advisory Council Member, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR – 2003–2010
- Member, Oregon Humane Society Chairs Council, Portland, OR – 1992–2010
- Honorary Chair, Rosemary Anderson High School Inaugural Dinner, Portland, OR – 2007
- Honorary Chair, Sitka Art Invitational Collectors Preview evening, Otis, OR – 2006
- Honorary Chair, Oregon Ballet Theater Nutcracker Campaign, Portland, OR – 2003
- Honorary Chair, Oregon College of Art & Craft Art on the Vine, Portland, OR – 2003, 2015
- Honorary Chair, Volunteers of America Award of Excellence Dinner, Portland, OR – 2003
- Honorary Chair, Cascade AIDS Art Auction, Portland, OR – 2000
Education
- Graduated Catlin Gabel High School – 1969
- Graduated University of Oregon – 1973; B.A., Literature
- Graduated Lewis & Clark College Northwestern School of Law – 1976; J.D.