I enter one room and feel my eyes widen as I observe the detailed pictures taken many decades ago of the west. I exit that room only to find myself face-to-face with the armor of a Samurai. I look to my left and find a work of a famous contemporary Japanese artist. All of this and more can be found a hop, skip and a jump away from the Knight Library. Yet we walk by it every single day on our way to class without flinching.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is currently showcasing the “National Geographic Greatest Photos of the West” exhibit but it currently has a handful more including a rare Korean art exhibit. At any given time, JSMA has 5 percent of its total collection out on the floor for the public to view, a collection that boasts over 13,000 items. The exhibits rotate constantly but most of the rest has been put online for people to easily access.

“A lot of people can’t get here, so we’re trying to reach them in other ways,” said Communications Manager of the museum, Debbie Williamson-Smith.

The only academic museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in the state of Oregon is actively working to make each of its pieces more interactive. They have installed iPads in various rooms so that visitors can learn more about each piece of art. Among other interactive devices within the museum, JSMA has a YouTube channel where lectures can be observed, as well as a Twitter, Facebook and an Instagram account.

Students often only visit the museum because a class forces them too. That’s how Williamson-Smith met her former intern, now assistant Victoria Reis.

“First step would be just walking through the door,” said Reis, explaining how students can get involved with the museum.

In fact, you don’t have to be an art history major to be involved at the museum; there are opportunities for digital arts majors as well as marketing majors in the form of design internships. Or, if you would rather come visit the museum, you’re welcome to do that too.

“I think everyone cares about art and responds to art for a different reason,” Williamson-Smith said. She went on to say that you don’t have to have background knowledge of art history to enjoy the museum for what it shows.

The membership to the museum is free for students and it comes with some stellar benefits. In addition to a discount to the museum’s café, Marché, members receive emails about upcoming events and an alumni benefit program that gives you one year of free visits to the museum.

Because JSMA has an astounding K-12 program, on any given day you might see children on the steps getting their photos taken. In fact, many local schools rely on JSMA due to budget cuts.

Reis is attending a year-long curating class where she and her team will create a proposal, implement that proposal and then set up their own exhibit by spring term.

“It really is intended to supplement our education,” Reis said.

For Williamson-Smith, her favorite part of her job is talking to students and getting fresh, new ideas from them in exchange for giving lectures to students about how the museum operates.

“It’s these kinds of things that really bring the joy to my job,” Williamson-Smith said.

I have been guilty of neglecting the museum in the four years that I’ve attended the University of Oregon. I’ve actually probably been to Marché more than I’ve been to the museum itself.

But I don’t think I’m alone.

Last year, slightly more than a third of the visitors of the museum were students. For a resource that is free for us, gives us great benefits and is just plain interesting, we should really go check out JSMA more. Study there, observe art or get involved. It’s a “portal for education” as Reis calls it.

“We’re here for students, we want to be here for students, so come check us out,” Williamson-Smith said.

Don’t worry, Debbie. I know I will. And so should you.