Job Details

Curatorial Fashion And Design Research Intern

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue. We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life. We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives. We aim to act like a person, not an institution.

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purposewhere difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Position Description

In close collaboration with the Assistant Curator of Architecture + Design, the Curatorial Fashion and Design Research Intern will familiarize themselves with the Museum's Architecture + Design collection, upcoming projects, and associated programs. This research-based position will be focused on the organization and tracking of exhibition related material, including auxiliary images, captions, and bibliographies for an upcoming temporary exhibition on the intrinsic relationship between fashion and postwar and contemporary sculpture.

Project Plan

Over the 9-week program the Architecture & Design Intern will:

• Conduct research on artists, designers, and objects on the exhibition checklist
• Research auxiliary images for publication, gallery texts and interpretative needs and generate associated captions
• Research and compile annotated bibliographies as needed for publication and interpretive texts
• Compile research folders, bibliographic materials, existing texts, and frame research
• Assist in writing in-gallery and online interpretive materials as appropriate
• Participate in occasional exhibition planning meetings

Educational Objectives

Exposure to various aspects of organizing large-scale temporary exhibitions, such as conducting research, compiling checklists, writing interpretive materials, and collaborating with departments across the museum.

Additional Internship Programming

The Summer 2026 Internship will offer 9-weeks of hands-on experience and mentorship along with weekly presentations and discussions with various departments in the museum, off-site educational visits within the Bay Area community, and access to various tours and events within the museum.

Requirements

Recent or current graduate student in Design History, Material Culture Studies, Contemporary Art, Cultural/Ethnic Studies, Art History, or related field with a demonstrable focus on Fashion History from 1945 to present, preferred. The SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate. Applicants with at least two years of undergraduate coursework in a related field and relevant experience will also be considered. If you are a current employee of the SFMOMA applying for an internship, you must be a current student or a recent graduate, within 6 months of the internship start date.

Intern application on SFMOMA job site

Resume, in PDF format

Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest, in PDF format

Describe the experience you bring, why you are interested in museum or nonprofit work, reasons for applying to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and your goals for the internship.

Two letters of recommendation from either a college professor or current/former employer, in PDF format

College/university transcript, in PDF format

Transcripts can be unofficial but must be legible. If you are currently enrolled in a master's or PhD program, please provide the transcript for your current program, not your undergraduate transcript.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2026

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal or state law. You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at ...@sfmoma.org.