Public Art Administrator

Job Appointment:  Full-Time

Position Summary:

Portland is a city shaped by its creativity—where public art transforms streets into stories, bridges history with the present, and fosters a sense of belonging in every neighborhood. The City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture seeks a visionary Public Art Administrator to guide the evolution and refinement of Portland’s public art programs.

This role is not just about managing what already exists—it’s about imagining what’s next. The Administrator will oversee the City’s public art collection, Percent for Art program, coordination with contractors, and public engagement initiatives, ensuring that public art reflects Portland’s diversity, enriches civic spaces, and strengthens cultural vitality.

The Office of Arts & Culture is committed to supporting public art in all its diverse forms—from monumental sculptures in parks to original paintings that line the walls of City Hall. Public art serves as a platform for storytelling, civic dialogue, and creative expression, helping to shape Portland’s evolving cultural landscape. The Public Art Administrator will play a key role in strategic initiatives, including the Portland Monuments Project, stewarding and expanding the City’s public art collection, and ensuring that new installations reflect and honor the diversity of Portland’s communities.

Portland’s Commitment to Public Art

Under Portland City Code, 2% of eligible City infrastructure project costs are dedicated to public art. These funds commission, purchase, and maintain artworks across the city, support artist-in-residence programs, and help develop creative spaces. Since the 1980s, more than 1,700 works of art have been added to the collection and showcased across neighborhoods, parks, and public buildings. Today, the program emphasizes acquiring work from underrepresented artists and bringing art to historically underserved communities.

As the Public Art Administrator, you will not only oversee the conservation and expansion of this collection, but also shape the future of public art in Portland. Working across city bureaus, with community partners, contractors and directly with artists, this position offers a unique opportunity to develop policies, launch new initiatives, and ensure that public art remains a central and accessible part of Portland’s identity.

As the Public Art Administrator, you will:

• Coordinate Portland’s Public Art Program, developing policies, initiatives, and partnerships that grow the City’s artistic presence.
• Oversee the management, conservation, and promotion of the City’s public art collection, ensuring it remains relevant, well-maintained, and accessible.
• Guide and refine the Percent for Art Program, working with contractors including the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) and Capital Project Managers across city bureaus.
• Champion new strategic public art initiatives, exploring innovative ways to activate civic spaces through placemaking, engage communities, and support emerging artists.
• Develop community engagement strategies, ensuring that Portlanders—particularly historically underrepresented communities—have a voice in shaping the city’s public art landscape.
• Cultivate strong relationships with local artists, arts organizations, and neighborhood leaders, fostering an ecosystem where public art thrives.
• Work collaboratively with city leadership and external partners on high-profile initiatives such as the Portland Monuments Project, helping to redefine cultural storytelling in public spaces.
• Promote public art education, awareness, and appreciation through public programs including temporary installations and workshops.

This role is ideal for someone who sees public art not just as a decorative element, but as a catalyst for civic engagement, equity, and storytelling.

Who we’re looking for:

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, creative leader, and effective project manager with a passion for public art, cultural policy, and civic engagement. We are looking for someone who:

• Has a deep understanding of public art administration, including policy development, project management, and curation.
• Can envision and implement new programs, pushing the boundaries of what public art can be in a rapidly changing urban environment.
• Understands the intersection of art and urban planning, ensuring that public art is integrated meaningfully into the city’s infrastructure and landscape.
• Values collaboration, building strong relationships with artists, community groups, contractors and city stakeholders.
• Is deeply committed to racial equity and cultural representation in public art, advocating for historically marginalized communities.
• Has experience managing budgets, grants, and fundraising efforts in order to support and expand public art initiatives.
• Is an excellent communicator, capable of articulating the importance of public art to a wide range of audiences.
• Has strong problem-solving and negotiation skills, particularly in working with contractors, developers, and government agencies.

About the Office of Arts & Culture:

The Office of Arts & Culture puts creativity at the heart of public life, ensuring that arts and culture thrive in every corner of Portland. Through the Arts Access Fund, General Fund, and Percent for Art Fund, we invest in arts education, cultural planning, public art, performing arts venues, and direct support for artists and nonprofit arts organizations. We steward Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the region, providing world-class spaces for artists and audiences to connect. From murals to live performances, we activate public spaces, celebrate Portland’s artistic talent, support a creative economy and expand access to the arts for all.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
 troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience managing public art programs, arts organizations, or large-scale cultural initiatives.
2. Knowledge of public art policies, conservation practices, and installation processes.
3. Experience in project management, particularly with government, nonprofit, or community-based projects.
4. Experience managing budgets and contracts effectively.
5. Ability to build and sustain relationships with artists, community groups, and government agencies.
6. Ability to develop policies, lead public meetings, present to city leadership and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Although not required you may have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Architecture, Urban Planning, Arts Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in arts administration, creative placemaking, or public space activation.
• Familiarity with public art conservation, permitting, and ADA compliance.
• Experience as a practicing artist, curator, or cultural producer.

STEP 1: Apply online between February 24 – March 17, 2025

•  Required Application Materials: Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• If you would like to request Veteran’s Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the “To Qualify” section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.  It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You may use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please be sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City’s online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of March 17, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant’s training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of March 24, 2025

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): April

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment

Step 6: Start Date: 

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process – Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

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