Jen Gordon
Artist | Activist | Administrator
Professional info
I have been civically engaged in advocacy for over 17 years in order to ensure that the inherent value of the arts in our culture is recognized and given the support and resources necessary to sustain and grow it within the community. It is my desire to make the creative process more accessible to both artists and the public and I feel it is important to instigate participatory collaborative projects that engage individuals in community development.
My current objectives include:
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making artwork that speaks to my interest in the interconnected nature of the human condition
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working with grassroots activators to develop community driven projects and events that address social issues and create dialogue about the necessity of cultural diversity and equity
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creating a production facility to houses multiple media labs with access to high end production equipment, artist studio space, and an immersion program that offers an authentic, hands on experiences in creation
Education
Humboldt State University
Bachelor of Arts, 2006
Studio Art & Art History
Certificate in Museum & Gallery Practices
Relevant Work Experience
Asheville Area Arts Council
Exhibitions Manager
Project Manager of The Refinery Creator Space
• Budget development and implementation
• Organizational branding
• Community relations
• Fund development through fundraisers, grants, sponsorships, and donors
• Exhibition organization and installation
• Create and implement community programming
Arts 2 People
Executive Director, 2011
Festival Director, 2010-2012
Treasurer, 2009-2011
• Board development
• Budget development and implementation
• Organizational branding
• Community relations
• Fund development through fundraisers, grants, sponsorships, and donors
• Exhibition organization and installation
• Create and implement community programming
(Artist Resource Center (ARC) 2011)
• Coordinate and facilitate large scale outdoor cultural events
(LAAFF Festival Director, 2010 - 2012, Goombay! Festival 2012)
City of Tampa Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs
Intern, 2008-2009
• Database Design (FileMaker Pro)
• Collection Management and Conservation
• Public Art Administration and Installation
Sutton Studios & Gallery
Artist’s Assistant & Gallery Manager, 2006-2008
• Office management
• Bookkeeping and accounting
• Budget administration
• Sales, inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer service
• Event coordination and planning
• PR and marketing, client development
• Exhibition design and installation
Morris Graves Museum
Gallery Assistant, 2005-2006
• Collection management
• Collection photography
• Database management
• Exhibition design
• Gallery maintenance
• Preparatory work
• Fine art handling
1st Street Gallery
Gallery Assistant, 2004-2006
• Exhibition design
• Gallery maintenance
• Intern supervision
• Preparatory work, installation, and fine art handling
• Public relations, marketing, and publication design
• Fundraising
• Art sales
Reese Bullen Gallery
Assistant Gallery Director, 2003-2006
• Collection and loan management
• Database maintenance (File Maker Pro)
• Gallery operations
• Preparatory work
• Gallery management
• Cultural program development
• Public relations, marketing, and fundraising
• Exhibition publication design
• Intern supervision and training
• Event coordination and planning
Student Access Gallery
Program Director, 2003-2006
• Gallery management (for 3 gallery spaces)
• Applicant evaluation
• Exhibition scheduling and design
• Cultural program development
• Facilitate artist and staff meetings
• Public relations, marketing, and fundraising
• Exhibition publication design
• Budget development and administration
• Staff management
Skills
WELDING
LOST WAX METAL CASTING
SLIP CAST MOLDS
PAINTING
SCULPTURE
PHOTOGRAPHY
ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES
PAPERMAKING
PRINTMAKING
SEWING
Contact info
E-mail:
Tel: 510.856.8587
Affiliations
2014-2016 Asheville Area Arts Council
Exhibition Manager & Curator
Creative Designer & Project Manager:
The Refinery Creator Space
2009-2012 Arts 2 People
Executive Director
LAAFF Festival Director
Goombay! Festival Director
Treasurer & Bookkeeper
2009-2012 City of Asheville
Public Art and Cultural Commission
Vice Chair
Urban Trail Sub-Committee
Acquisitions Sub-Committee
Downtown Commission Special Events Sub-committee
Downtown Master Plan Arts and Culture Committee
2006 Art and Clubs Coordinator
Sustainable Living Arts and Music Festival
Event planning (for 5500 attendees)
Budget development and administration
Set up booths for participating clubs
Plan art and club stage event schedule
Manage scheduled events and MC art and club stage
2005-2006 HSU Student Council Representative
Student representative, search committee for the Dean for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Student representative for the Public Art committee Student representative for the Instructionally Related Activities Fund
Student representative for the Board of Finance
2005-2006 Student Representative
CSU Summer Arts Advisory Board
2004-2006 Vice President
Association of Student Sculptors
Organize and produce annual Sculpture Walk Exhibition
Raise and manage funds for the growth of the organization
2003-2006 Student Representative
1st Street Gallery Advisory Board
Select exhibition schedules
Advise on strategic planning
Assist with budget management
Research and seek external funding through fund-raising
Grant writing
Facilitate community outreach and engagement
Maintain the gallery as a learning laboratory for Humboldt State University
2003-2006 President
Humboldt Art History Association
Organize fundraisers to supplement the University Library budget
Arrange Museum field trips for Art History students
Facilitate film nights, guest artist talks, seminars, and workshops
2010 - present
2010 - present