Jade Ichimura is an Art History Master’s student at the University of Washington whose work focuses on the intersections of art and technology in 20th- and 21st-century Japanese art. Her research examines how emerging technologies influence both the production of art and the ways audiences engage with it. By considering contemporary artistic practices within the evolving landscape of digital tools, Jade investigates how technology can both disrupt and expand traditional modes of art-making. Alongside her primary focus, her academic interests include digital humanities, gender, and the social perspectives of art history, particularly in relation to the ways art institutions can better reflect diverse voices and lived experiences. 

Following her undergraduate studies at UCLA, she joined the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), working across its sister institutions, the de Young and the Legion of Honor, as an Interpretation and Outreach Associate (IOA). As an IOA, Jade developed a dual focus on direct visitor engagement and institutional change. She regularly facilitated in-gallery discussions using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), encouraging visitors to think critically about works of art through dialogue, observation, and openness to multiple perspectives. Some of the interpretive projects include updating wall labels and museum didactics to reflect greater inclusivity and accessibility. She also contributed to research designed to study how BIPOC visitors experience the museum environment. The combination of visitor-facing work and behind-the-scenes interpretation convinced her of the importance of curatorial practice as a site of change-making, reinforcing her decision to pursue graduate study and ultimately a career in curatorial work. 

Beyond her museum experience, Jade brings a strong background in digital art, 3D modeling, and user experience (UX) design, which informs her approach to both art historical inquiry and exhibition strategies. She is particularly interested in how digital humanities methods can enhance archival research, visualize artistic networks, and create interactive modes of museum engagement. By combining critical art historical training with technological fluency, she hopes to expand the ways researchers and audiences encounter contemporary art.