Art Bridges Curatorial Project Coordinator (Full-Time)

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 Art Bridges Curatorial Project Coordinator role at the Portland Art Museum serves as the central liaison between the museum, Art Bridges, and three partner institutions within Oregon to ensure the successful execution of the traveling cohort exhibition and its related programs. This role oversees all aspects of project coordination, from managing timelines, logistics, and reporting requirements to supporting curatorial, marketing, and educational initiatives.

The coordinator works collaboratively across departments, including registration, curatorial, education, finance, and marketing, to facilitate smooth communication, efficient workflows, and accurate documentation throughout the research and exhibition project cycle. This position requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

This role is supported by the Art Bridges Foundation as part of the Cohort Program. The Art Bridges Cohort Program expands access to American art by supporting multiyear, multi-institutional art-sharing partnerships among museums nationwide. Each cohort, composed of a lead museum and cohort members, works together to share their collections, making art lending, borrowing, and display more efficient and environmentally sustainable. The goal of the Cohort Program is to create self-sustaining ecosystems of art sharing, collaboration, and community engagement across the country.

In this role, you will

Project Coordination

• Serve as primary liaison to Art Bridges and three partner museums within Oregon, ensuring smooth communication and exhibition project alignment.
• Oversee exhibition timelines, loan logistics, and object movement in coordination with registration, curatorial, and collections teams.
• Attend object installations, deinstallations, and related exhibition activities at three partner museums in Oregon.
  
  

Meetings & Reporting

• Schedule and facilitate regular partner and internal meetings; prepare agendas, materials, and follow-up documentation.
• Plan and execute logistics for in-person convenings.
• Track and coordinate all reporting requirements, applications, and submissions to Art Bridges.
• Participate in Art Bridges’ Cohort Program annual convenings.
  
  

Budget & Procurement

• Monitor project budgets and expenditures; maintain accurate financial records and projections.
• Collaborate with finance and development teams on invoices, ledgers, and payment processes.
• Identify and coordinate vendors for project needs.
  
  

Marketing & Outreach

• Partner with marketing staff to develop promotional materials, press kits, and digital content.
• Manage image permissions, photography scheduling, and content creation for social media and publications.
  
  

Curatorial & Education Support

• Conduct research on artists and objects, assist with exhibition development, and support interpretive content such as labels, gallery guides, and educational materials.
• Collaborate with partner museums on object selection, programming, training, and public presentations.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Provides occasional project management support for additional Museum-driven exhibitions and installations beyond the Art Bridges cohort, as schedule permits.
• Participation in occasional museum field-related conferences and convenings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

To be successful in this role, you have these requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, art history, arts administration, or a related field
• 2–3 years of experience in project coordination, exhibitions, or museum administration
• Familiarity with collections management, registration processes, or art loan logistics
• Experience managing grants, budgets, or reporting for funded programs
• Knowledge of marketing, communications, or public engagement in an arts or cultural setting
• Experience working with partner institutions, community organizations, or collaborative projects
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and partner institutions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic project management tools
• Experience tracking budgets, timelines, and reports
• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Commitment to collaboration and community engagement
• Ability to travel between different institutions as needed
  
  

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 to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm (40 hours per week)
• Hybrid - Onsite & Remote
• Occasional travel and evening hours
• Extensive computer work
• Extended periods of sitting, typing, and viewing a computer screen
• Occasional standing and walking during exhibition installations, meetings, and events
• Occasionally lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds (e.g., project binders, laptops, presentation materials)
• Occasional travel to partner museums, conferences, or convenings
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, document handling, and digital tools
  
  

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 non-exempt and full-time. This is a grant funded role approved through August 2027, with a potential extension through March 2031 contingent on grant approval.
• The budgeted compensation falls within pay grade G ($24.78 minimum - $28.64 midpoint - $32.51 maximum), based on experience.
• Shift differentials (for hourly/non-exempt staff working onsite):
• Evening hours (6:00 pm-12:00 am) will be paid an additional $1.00 per hour
• Night hours (12:01 am-6:00 am) will be paid an additional $2.00 per hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Employee perks and discounts
  

Application Process for Art Bridges Curatorial Project Coordinator

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.