Who: Noriko Rice, Museum Educator

Where: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA)

What it/they do/does: Rice is a Museum Educator who works with all populations of students, including those with learning disabilities. In addition to teaching, Rice does administrative work that focuses on art and healthcare. She started the volunteer internship at the JSMA and leads educational outreach programs in the Eugene area.

Impact: Because Eugene school districts have cut art education funding, students are not receiving a strong art education. The JSMA has reach out programs that bring art back into the classroom. Rice works with students who often have a hard time fitting into a traditional classroom setting, and artwork gives them an opportunity to express themselves.

Funding: The art education programs at the JSMA are funded by grants on the federal and local level. The museum also receives private donations and funding from the University of Oregon because it is a school institution.

Success story: Rice has never considered herself a professional artist. For her, art wasn’t about talent or technical skills, but more used as a form a stress release.The moment she realized her passion for art therapy was the break into where she is today. She now works to make art accessible so that students can find the same personal fulfillment that she has.

Parting words: “Art has the ability to have a big impact on kids. I think everyone has different methods of learning and I think art is super accessible and can reach out to those kids who don’t necessarily find strengths in other subjects…it gives them a reason to go to school. I think its more of something where they can express themselves…It’s less about right and wrong or A’s and B’s, it’s more just about self-expression.”