"Being in the art world is just an extraordinary place to be," says Sydney Rockefeller BFA ’66 (Painting). Currently serving as chair of the board
 of the Great Harbor Maritime Museum in Maine, Rockefeller’s life is infused with art and creation, and she credits UArts for setting her along her path. "PCA, as we still call it, was a very important place for me,” Rockefeller explains, using the old moniker "Philadelphia College of Art" to refer to the University of the Arts. "It opened up my eyes to what the world is really about." She recalls riveting art history lectures with F. Louis Finkelstein and speaks animatedly about "the excitement you can get having wonderful teachers."

In her current role at the museum, she uses her background in the arts to help inform her decisions as she puts exhibits together and assists with "Look to Learn, Learn to Look," a program for children that promotes discovery and creation through the exploration of neighboring islands. For a recent project, the children made artwork out of what she calls "detritus" and other items they had found on one of their trips, fusing two of Rockefeller’s passions: environmental stewardship and art. Rockefeller is also an active member of her community, serving as vice president of the board of the Island Housing Trust, a nonprofit organization whose aim is to create affordable housing on Mount Desert Island. The trust was recently given 10 acres of land upon which six houses were then built so that people working on the island could also afford to live there. She speaks passionately about where she lives, her home for the past 14 years. She enjoys the collaborative nature of the various projects she is involved in and still makes art—art that, very simply, she "just wants to make."

A member of the Haviland Society, which recognizes dedicated benefactors who make annual leadership gifts to the University, Rockefeller also recently increased her gift to participate in the Mandell Challenge for the second consecutive year. She explains that living in Maine makes it difficult to be as involved in the University as she wants to be, but she has strong feelings about being able to help others receive the quality of education she was able to receive, especially encouraging young students in this digital age to “keep drawing,” a skill that she feels is crucial in the artistic learning process.

When asked why she chose to increase her gift this year, Rockefeller states without hesitation, "The school completely changed my life." Now in giving back to the University, she helps to safeguard the education of a new generation of students and helps make sure that all qualified students, regardless of financial circumstance, can have access
to a degree in the arts.

Above: A friend's sketch of Sydney Rockefeller.