Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator – Bedford Gallery

The City of Walnut Creek is seeking one regular, part-time 30 hour per week Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator for the Bedford Gallery in the Arts + Recreation Department.

Salary
The current pay range is $33.10 to $40.31 per hour, which is equivalent to $51,636 to $62,883 annually. Effective June 21, 2026, there will be a 5% increase to the pay rate.

The job classification for this position is Program Assistant II.

Closing Date
The closing date for this recruitment isWednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST.

What's great about this opportunity:

• Play a key role in bringing Bedford curated exhibitions to audiences nationwide, providing support and expertise for arts organizations across the US
• Work closely with national institutions, building meaningful professional relationships
• Gain hands-on experience with artwork handling, installation logistics, and exhibition planning, strengthening both creative and technical skills
• Contribute to innovative contemporary visual arts programming, staying connected to new ideas, media, and trends in the art world

About the CitySpanning 19.5 square miles, the community’s sprawling landscapes, warm weather, diverse dining options, and thriving shopping districts make Walnut Creek a suburban oasis with an urban flair. With a rare blend of 2,800 acres of open space, a vibrant downtown, a business park, premier healthcare facilities and a performing and visual arts center, Walnut Creek offers something for everyone!

The City of Walnut Creek is committed to values of respect, integrity, excellence, teamwork, and creativity. CARE, the City’s robust award-winning employee engagement initiative, focuses on three key areas: providing career development opportunities; promoting connections among employees; and supporting employee health and wellness.

About the Division
Bedford Gallery is a contemporary visual arts space dedicated to providing opportunities to learn about the visual arts through exhibitions and programs that are varied, accessible, challenging, and educational. The Bedford is located in the Lesher Center for the Arts, and presents four exhibitions per year, related programs, daily school tours, and community workshops that reflect and engage a diverse audience across the region. The gallery also manages a nationally recognized traveling exhibition program.

About the Position
The City is looking for a highly experienced, self-motivated professional to join our team in a 30 hour per week role supporting Bedford Gallery’s Traveling Exhibitions Program. The Traveling Exhibitions Coordinator manages 4–6 concurrent exhibitions on the road, serving as the primary contact for all partner venues. This role is central to the success of the gallery’s travel program and plays an important part in overall gallery operations, contributing industry expertise to the planning and development of exhibitions and related programs.

The Ideal Candidate has/is:

• Demonstrated experience working in and with visual arts organizations
• Hands-on knowledge of operational and logistical intricacies of managing traveling exhibitions
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and an approachable, professional demeanor
• Highly organized and detail-driven
• Self-motivated and resourceful

• Promote, pitch, and schedule all traveling exhibitions, fostering strong relationships with prospective and ongoing host venues
• Serve as primary point of contact for all venue communications, providing expert opinion on gallery curated exhibitions that are best suited for travel
• Support condition reporting and registration processes, assembling completed documentation including condition reports and installation manuals
• Edit, maintain, and distribute all additional traveling exhibition documentation such as object lists, educational resources, wall labels, spec sheets, press guides, etc.
• Monitor and track condition reports across all venues for the duration of the travel schedule
• Collect, organize, and archive press coverage from venues hosting Bedford exhibitions
• Meet with Bedford curator and preparator to discuss progress, concerns, and issues regarding traveling shows
• Oversee crating and framing needs, when applicable, for each exhibition and assist venues with shipping arrangements
• Conduct venue site visits as needed and lead ongoing research, outreach, and relationship-building to expand network of potential host venues

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills, with ability to manage calendar, schedules, and create systems for program policies and procedures
• Familiarity with financial processes common to government and nonprofit environments
• Solid understanding of traveling exhibition industry, including standards and best practices
• Experience addressing high-priority issues related to artwork handling, shipping, installation, and repair
• Broad knowledge of gallery exhibitions, contemporary artists, art world trends, art movements, new media, and innovative exhibition presentation
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with ability to produce clear, professional documentation
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Proven relationship-building skills, maintaining productive partnerships with venues and stakeholders
• Commitment to positive work environment, collaborating effectively with colleagues, City officials, and the public
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Adobe Suites

Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

Education
Graduation from high school or the equivalent.

Experience
Two (2) years of experience working in the visual arts. Experience within the traveling exhibitions industry is highly desireable.

Special Requirements
Ability to work on weekends and/or evenings.The deadline to apply for this position is Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST.

To be considered for this opportunity, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/walnutcreek/.

Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include an oral interview tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026.Department interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 1, 2026.A practical examination may also be included in this recruitment process.

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.

Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting and thorough background check (which includes checking professional employment references).

If special accommodation is necessary at any stage of the recruitment process, please provide the Human Resources Department with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.

As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disasters.

Please see the class specificationherefor a complete description of this classification's representative duties; knowledge, skills, and abilities; qualifications; working conditions; physical requirements; and for other details about this position.