Since July, 2009, Research Club has built a community of thinkers, doers, artists, and enthusiasts with its salon-style gatherings, exhibitions, workshops, and classes. During this time, we've helped a few people get jobs, contracts, and internships. We've helped even more people realize art projects, gallery shows, and technical projects. We've fostered the growth of other organizations, facilitated countless collaborations, and toured the Pacific Northwest and Europe to research how other participatory communities function. We've done all of this on a shoestring budget, without advertising, usually without admission fees or outside funding, and with a tiny, transient staff. The community supports itself, and the recipe is cheap and reliable. At the same time, we can't keep going without your help.
Research Club is both a community and an organization, and the community is ready to benefit from a stronger organization. We have big things planned for 2012, but we can't do them without enthusiastic volunteers.
I want to help, but I can only help a little
That's great! There are a lot of small, regular tasks that we could really use someone reliable to take over. The most important thing is being able to commit to doing something, not how big that something is. Fill out this form to get involved.
I want to help a lot!
Ready to roll up your sleeves? The following positions are currently open! Unless otherwise noted, each one is a 3-month commitment. (Meaning we'd rely on you to fill this role for the very-part-time number of hours listed for three months, after which you're free to move on or keep going for another 3 months.)
Publications Committee
Time commitment: 2-5 hours a week, 3 month terms
We need a self-publisher looking for a meaty new project to assist in the design, curation, and administration of online and print materials drawing on the rich output of the RC community. Our goal is to publish a quarterly, online and in print, of activity from Research Club and its friends in the style of Cabinet Magazine, Lapham’s Quarterly, and similar wunderkammer.
We have a rich archive of video, photo documentation, and writing from events, gallery openings, a European tour, and more. Additionally, many members of the Research Club community regularly publish fascinating, innovative, and amusing material. You would be in charge of recording and sharing that material — nearly guaranteeing you awesome new friends.
Duties:
Update content and design of our website
Assist in the curation and publication of the RC Archive of video and print materials
Interview artists and help compile exhibition documentation
Assist with development of RC publications committee
Communicat with and facilitate contributing artists and writers
Learn/access the following:
CMS design and management
Video, audio editing
Publication design
Archive management
Communication/coordination with writers, artists, designers etc
Participation in the Publications Committee
Social/Communications Intern
Time commitment: 2-5 hours a week, 3 month terms
You'll work directly with the administrators and director of Research Club, interact with our many vibrant collaborators and partners, and head up communications with future partners including artists, designers, community organizers, and software developers. All of our positions are great opportunities to make new friends, but this one is the best! If you want to meet the interesting people in Portland (and beyond), this is the position for you!
Duties include
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Social media promotions — twitter, facebook, vimeo, and our blog
Communication with collaborating local organizations
Interacting with online and international cultural organizations
Event promotions
Schmoozing and MC-ing at Events
Branding
Co-Director Position
Time commitment: 5-15 hours a week, 8 month terms.
We need someone with deep enthusiasm for art, science, and learning new things to help steer this ship. Specific duties would include:
original programming decisions
volunteer recruitment
managing relationships with collaborating organizations
mission planning
fundraising
But really the sky’s the limit. Research Club has been a big social experiment for the last two years, and now it’s time to decide what to do with it. Our two major upcoming projects are seeking 501( c )3 status and the Portland Passport Project. By getting involved now, you’d have significant creative control in these areas.
This is not a paid position, but would become one as soon as there is a sufficient revenue stream. This would be a serious commitment, but in exchange you’d receive creative influence over a wide, inspiring, and deeply-connected network that spans Portland’s creative, tech, and progressive communities. Research Club is a recognized and respected name with established relationships with organizations such as Curiosity Club, ADX, the Dill Pickle Club, Gallery Homeland, Collective Agency, and many others. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a network of smart, motivated people to facilitate, remix, and serve, this is the perfect position for you.
Note: Unlike our other volunteer opportunities, this position requires an 8-month commitment
