Luce Curatorial Fellow

Company Description

Hello, art person! We’re so glad you’re here.

When you think of an art museum, you might picture paintings or sculptures. But art is so much more than the “traditional” forms you’re used to seeing in galleries. Nobody knows that better than Portland. Our city is bursting with all kinds of art forms–from craft beverages and comic books to artisan chocolate and collectible sneakers. There’s no one way to make art, and there’s no one way to be an art person.

That’s why you belong here. We’re a place that has room for all kinds of art (and art people).

We are a dynamic institution with multiple locations. Adjacent to the Museum campus in downtown, Portland, PAM CUT // Center for the Untold Tomorrow is an inclusive, modern, and welcoming hub serving a broad range of artists and audiences across all media art. Also nearby is the nonprofit Rental Sales Gallery representing regional artists. Across the river, in SE Portland PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater embraces cinematic storytelling in all its form through unique one-night-only events.

Job Description

The Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow role at the Portland Art Museum will report to the Curator of Native American Art. With a focus on the Museum’s permanent collections and galleries, the Fellow is responsible for a wide range of activities including collections research and care, assisting the Curator in the research and development of a long-term renovation and reinstallation of the Native American Art permanent collections galleries, working on related public programs, liaising with curatorial and design/architectural consultants, assisting with acquisitions and/or artwork commissions, and writing and speaking about Native American art.

In this role, you will

• Assists the Curator with research and development of a long-term renovation and reinstallation of the Native American Art permanent collections galleries, which includes the following:
• Improving and correcting existing collections database records with the Registrar and Collections Manager, and strategizing on department-specific records improvements
• Liaising with consulting curators, artists and community members
• Working with the exhibition project team, including Assistant Curator of Native American Art, members of several internal departments and external design firm
• Assisting with object selection, label writing, and exhibition texts
• Facilitates access to collections for research by Native artists, community members, and visiting scholars as appropriate, including creating database-generated object reports; liaising and scheduling collections access for researchers with registrars and conservators
• Assists Curator with acquisitions, including artist correspondence, object research, and acquisition record keeping as needed
• Assists with building relationships and partnerships with Native artists and scholars, curatorial consultants, and communities in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond
• Work as part of a collaborative team to develop programs and partnerships that foster equity, inclusion, and meaningful community engagement in alignment with the Museum’s core values
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Assists visiting researchers in the Collection
• Assists the Curator, as needed, with programming and activities for the Native American Art Council (membership group)
• Prepares and gives gallery talks and public presentations on relevant exhibitions and aspects of the permanent collection
• Participates in the professional and intellectual discourse related to Native American art as well as the museum profession; provides services to the disciplines through participation as an active member of professional organizations
• Is willing to engage the Native American art market: Builds professional network by growing and maintaining contact with dealers, galleries, collectors, fellow professionals, and other constituencies as appropriate as a basis for collection growth and exhibition development
• Fields and responds to inquiries from the public, as assigned
• Performs other related duties as assigned
  
  

To be successful in this role, you have these requirements

• Minimum M.A. in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field or 5 years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience; Ph.D or A.B.D preferred; knowledge of museum and display theory a plus
• Experience with exhibition development, including writing exhibition texts preferred
• 1-2 years experience assisting or working directly with Native American artists and/or Native community members in a research and/or exhibition development context
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required; Museum collections database software experience is strongly preferred (Mimsy, TMS, MuseumPlus, etc.)
• Broad knowledge of Native American historical and contemporary art history and practice with a focus on North American Indian tribes, nations and cultures
• Comfort with public speaking in a variety of environments such as public gallery talks, staff meetings, or student workshops
• Excellent written communication skills for tasks such as writing museum labels and short object descriptions
• Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills to carry out the responsibilities of the position, including managing multiple projects simultaneously within a complex, fast-paced environment
• Must possess strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and communicate effectively and respectfully in both group and individual settings, both in person and in virtual meetings
• Must respectfully build and maintain effective long term relationships with staff, colleagues, volunteers, and the Native American Art Community
• Experience with working both independently and as a collaborative member of the team with a diverse array of people
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and persistence in completing assignments with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Committed to promoting and enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at the Portland Art Museum, especially through internal practices. Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration and openness to many perspectives
  
  

If you have any questions along the way including wanting to talk about a nontraditional career background, please reach out to HR.

Job conditions & physical activities

• Schedule/hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (35 hours/week)
• New hires are required to be onsite full time and have the option to move to hybrid work agreements after six months, subject to the approval of their supervisor
• 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; further travel as required for professional development, research and planning
• Frequent sitting in an office environment
• Occasional standing and walking; inside the office and to event locations. More frequent extended standing and walking while working in Collections
• 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
• Frequently talking in course of work
• Occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 10lbs items such as brochures, files, books, etc.
  
  

This list highlights key physical and environmental conditions related to the role but is not an exhaustive representation of all job requirements. Additional tasks and expectations may apply based on operational needs.

Benefits

• This role is exempt/salaried and temporary. The estimated end date is 1 year from the start date
• The budgeted compensation falls within pay grade I ($55,722 minimum - $65,352 midpoint - $74,982 maximum), based on experience
• Eligible for relocation stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Employee perks and discounts
  
  

Application Process for Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow

Ready to join our team? To be considered please submit your resume, cover letter, and four references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.

Application deadline

We will begin reviewing applications immediately, so please apply as soon as possible. The closing date is subject to change at any time.