Curatorial and Community Partnerships Fellow – Native Art Focus

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Posted 01/01/2022 | Full-time, Non-exempt | 19.57 min – $22.50 mid – $25.44 max

Job Description

The Portland Art Museum has been awarded a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for a paid, full-time fellowship for 18-months. The fellow will serve as the Curatorial and Community Partnerships Fellow slated to begin in January 2022 to support two Native American art exhibitions.

This collaborative position jointly works in the Curatorial and Learning and Community Partnerships Departments. We are currently seeking candidates who have a strong interest in Native American art and culture, contemporary art, building community partnerships, and working on project teams. Through their work at the Museum, the Fellow will meaningfully develop broader community outreach and involvement with the Museum’s upcoming exhibitions Dakota Modern:The Art of Oscar Howe, a retrospective, and They Came from Fire, a site specific installation by Jeffrey Gibson. The fellow’s primary focus will be developing programming for these exhibitions, including assisting with the organization of a symposium. In addition, responsibilities pertaining to Native American collections will provide additional professional opportunities.

The position is a dual report to the Curator of Native American Art and Director of Learning and Community Partnerships, and will work closely with staff in Curatorial, Learning and Community Partnerships, and other departments across the Museum.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Work closely with the exhibition’s curators and LCP staff to develop programs and partnerships that place significant emphasis on Native American community involvement, collaboration with community groups and students, and the interpretation of work in the exhibitions Dakota Modern and They Came from Fire..
Help to further relationships with a diverse range of local organizations, non-profits, and artists to build partnerships and help ensure that the Museum develops programming that is relevant to local communities, with a focus on Native American communities in the greater Portland area; scheduling and facilitating meetings; making presentations about the exhibitions to community members and groups.
Help coordinate, and sometimes lead, educational programming related to both Dakota Modern and They Came from Fire with PAM staff and the artist Jeffrey Gibson. Programs may include blog posts, podcasts, guest speaker communications and arrangements, and workshops (virtual or in-person).
Work closely with the exhibition’s curator and LCP staff to organize and hold a one-day symposium about the artist Oscar Howe, including development of the program and speaker list, communication and coordination with special events staff, correspondence with guest speakers, outreach and PR coordination, and management of the event.
Work as part of a collaborative team to develop programs and partnerships that align with the Museum’s ongoing commitment to racial equity and inclusion.
Promotes equity and inclusion goals and supports the work of the Portland Art Museum.

Institutional Responsibilities

Support the Museum’s mission, vision and core values of creativity, connection, equity, learning, accessibility and accountability.
Contribute to and support the PAM strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives.
Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement.
Use the equity lens in decision making. Promote equity and inclusion goals and have a “people first” mindset.

Requirements

B.A., B.F.A., or higher; or individuals working on a graduate degree.
Demonstrated knowledge or previous study of Native American or contemporary art history and practice, and/or Native American studies or Native American history required.
Knowledge of art history and/or museum education is preferred.
Interest in pursuing a professional position or graduate study in the visual arts, museums, social practice, art history, art education, community outreach, studio art, or a related field.
Experience with developing community partnerships and community-centered programming or events.
Experience with public speaking, teaching, or facilitating meetings or workshops.
Work collaboratively in an equitable and inclusive framework with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Comfort working on multiple team-based projects at once.
Effectively communicate verbally and maintain an active working relationship with supervisors, colleagues in LCP and Curatorial departments, and other co-workers.
Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration and openness to many perspectives.
Strong accuracy, detail orientation, and adherence to schedules.
Flexibility to occasionally work outside of office hours (M-F 9-5), as needed.
Strong written communication skills. Comfort with telephone and email.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace is required; Museum collections database software experience is strongly preferred (Mimsy, TMS, etc.).

Job Conditions

Occasional evening and weekend hours for lectures and special events required.
Some local and regional travel to visit donors, artists, dealers, and/or exhibitions, as opportunities arise.
Extensive computer work.
Temporary, 18 month funded role.
On-site work will be required full-time in the early stages of this role, with potential to transition to part-time remote work.

Physical Activities

Frequent sitting in an office environment
Occasional standing and walking; inside office and to event locations
Continuous use of fingers; high computer and phone use, office supplies
Continuous repetitive motions of hands/wrists; high computer and phone use, office supplies
Frequent grasping/handling of devices such as mouse, work material
Frequent talking in course of work
Lift/carry/push/pull up to 10lbs items such as brochures, files, etc.
This list does not represent a complete representation of all physical requirements

Benefits

This role is non-exempt, full-time, 35 hours per week
Budgeted compensation is pay grade F ( $19.57 min – $22.50 mid – $25.44 max) per hour, depending on experience. This role is grant funded
Up to $1,000 relocation stipend, if applicable
Research allowance for travel, conferences, etc.
Eligible for a $500 hiring bonus to new hires who join the team October 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022, and stay with the Museum 6+ months
Health Care (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy)
Life Insurance (employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance & employee paid voluntary life and short-term disability)
Paid Time Off (6 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays to allow employees to meet their own religious observances and uphold value of equity and inclusion, vacation time, sick time, jury duty, and bereavement leave)
Flexible spending accounts
Employee assistance program: free, confidential counseling for employees and family
Discounted TriMet or C-Tran passes
Bike to work benefit
Complimentary admission to the Museum for employee and guest(s) accompanied by you
Access to Museum lectures and programs
Discounts at Museum Shop
R.E.A.P (Reciprocal Employee Attraction Pass) card for full and part-time employees, providing free general admission to local destinations
Affinity groups — BIPOC & White Learning Space
Buddy system for BIPOC new hires
Annual BIPOC TLC retreat

Application Process for Curatorial and Community Partnerships Fellow – Native Art Focus

Apply online at: www.portlandartmuseum.org/careers, follow the link to create a profile. The Museum engages an equity hiring committee to review applications.

In order to be considered eligible submissions require a resume, cover letter, references, and all application questions answered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For questions or accommodation please contact hr@pam.org.

Please note, start date is January – February 2022.

Closing date: Open Until Filled

The Portland Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Company Description

Equity, Inclusion and Accommodation

The Museum and Film Center strives to be an inclusive institution that facilitates respectful dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas. With a deep commitment to artists – past and present – and freedom of expression, the Museum and Film Center’s collections, programs and staff aspire to reveal the beauty and complexities of the world, and create a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. We are a Museum for all, inviting everyone to connect with art through their own experiences, voices, and personal journeys. We are committed to advancing equity and inclusion by creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will continue learning as we work to evolve as an Institution, recognizing that this journey has no end and our commitment must remain. We have an active equity team currently engaged in a journey to examine our internal culture and the work we do through an equity lens. We look forward to having all colleagues join and contribute to this important work. Learn more at https://portlandartmuseum.org/portland-art-museum-announces-equity-statement/.

The Museum and Film Center are equal opportunity employers, committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political belief, disability or any other legally protected status. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application, interview, and hiring process. Alternative formats of this application are available upon request. If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@pam.org or 503.276.4358.

COVID-19 Information

The current COVID-19 crisis has resulted in severe and unprecedented disruptions to revenue generation at the Museum. Currently, the Museum has recently reopened to visitors and the Institution is running on reduced staffing levels. The task ahead is not easy, but a challenge our staff are taking on with a deep commitment to the mission. The successful incumbent in this role will be willing to enter the situation with energy, flexibility, and a vision to overcome obstacles. This position requires a desire for understanding and adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols set forth by the Museum at all times. Masks are required indoors per the state mandate. In addition, the Museum’s intent is to move toward requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for staff with verification of vaccination status. Accommodations available for staff under the ADA.

About the Portland Art Museum

Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum’s collection of 42,000 objects reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection is distinguished for its holdings of arts of the native peoples of North America; modern and contemporary art; Asian and American art; photographs, prints, and drawings; and English silver.

With more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space, the Museum ranks in the top 25 museums in the country with the most gallery and exhibition space. An active collecting institution, the Museum dedicates 90 percent of its gallery space to its permanent collection. In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum is recognized for its special exhibitions and intimate exhibition series, including the APEX program, a contemporary art series, and presentations in the Gilkey Center galleries.

Annual membership consists of 16,000 member households, representing more than 92,000 individuals. More than 350,000 visitors are welcomed annually, including more than 50,000 schoolchildren.

The Museum’s annual operating budget is approximately $13.5 million.

About the Northwest Film Center

The Museum’s sister organization, established in 1971, the Northwest Film Center is a Portland, Oregon-based year-round organization and space where artists and audiences explore our region and the world through cinema and cinematic storytelling in all its forms.

Our mission is to expand the reach of cinema as an art form and challenge for whom, by whom, and how stories can be told. Through our screenings, events, guest speaker programs, classes, and workshops, audiences and artists form vital connections that bind our community and encourage a more vibrant, accessible, and diverse media-arts ecosystem.

The Northwest Film Center acts as an advocate for pioneering filmmakers and artists, giving a platform to voices that might not otherwise be heard and serves as a catalyst for cultural appreciation, conversation, collaboration, and community-building around new ways of seeing locally and globally. For more information, visit www.nwfilm.org.