Bio
For over fifteen years Justen Harn has worked as a nonprofit arts administrator, educator, curator, and cultural engineer. He empowers communities via participatory, relational methodologies, developing innovative platforms that support the work of emerging artists, both regionally and nationally. Justen has curated experiences for leading institutions across the country, ranging from The Walker Art Center to The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, and has facilitated programs in collaboration with Carrie Brownstein, Todd Haynes, Miranda July, Kelly Reichardt, and Gus Van Sant, among others. His programming has garnered attention from a wide spectrum of sources, including All Things Considered (NPR), Monocle, The New York Times, Paste Magazine, Vice Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal.
Justen has presented on the future of cinema at MIT's Media Lab, helped to develop groundbreaking film exhibition technology featured at The Tribeca Film Festival, and served as a juror, grant panelist and consultant for dozens of regional and national arts and culture organizations including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars), the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Recent honors include: named one of Portland's “Rising Stars” by Portland Monthly magazine; awarded professional development funds from The Miller Foundation in cooperation with Americans for the Arts; selected to participate in the National Alliance for Media Arts + Culture’s inaugural Creative Leadership Lab at the Sundance Institute; admitted to National Arts Strategies Executive Program offered in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Justen graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with studies at Oxford University, UK.
Endorsements
▶ I can’t think of another innovator as committed to the intersection of media and community than Justen Harn. His visionary leadership and deft management has transformed not only The Hollywood Theater but all of the community organizations that have had the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with him.
-Andrew Devigal, Endowed Chair in Journalism Innovation and Civic Engagement , Agora Journalism Center, University of Oregon | Formerly Multimedia Editor, The New York Times
▶ Justen's tireless efforts have led to increased support for emerging and established artists, critical community building, and important education and equity initiatives.
Kelly Reichardt, Director, "Certain Women," "Night Moves," Meek's Cutoff," "Old Joy"
▶ There’s a grace to the way Justen nudges the best of someone else's idea forward while weaving in his own knowledge of what might make that idea even stronger.
-Randy Gragg, Editor at Large, Portland Monthly | Director, John Yeon Center, University of Oregon
▶ Justen believes passionately that the opportunity to explore, learn and create should be accessible to everyone. His dedication is genuine and his enthusiasm is contagious.
Shelley Midthun, Manager, Portland Film Office at the Portland Development Commission | Director, Oregon Story Board