Design Studio: Exhibition Design 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.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.  

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.  

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: 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 purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 35 hrs/week, June 16 - August 15, 2025, approximately 3 days working onsite

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Design Studio at SFMOMA is an award-winning in-house studio that consists of Graphic Designers and Exhibition Designers. The Exhibition Designers, in collaboration with curators, conservators, construction and facility managers, and graphic designers, play an important role in implementing and translating SFMOMA’s mission into a vibrant and cohesive built environment experience that engages our audiences through compelling exhibitions, installations, and capital projects.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Exhibition Design Intern will work closely with the Exhibition Design team, and other members of the Design Studio. The Intern will learn about SFMOMA’s process in designing an exhibition, preparing and accessing resources and materials, and creating documents to communicate design into production. The interns focus will be creating base documents needed to communicate Exhibition Design needs to the internal staff, artists, and other institutions. 

PROJECT PLAN

Over the 10-week program the Design Studio Exhibition Design Intern will assist on various projects. Participation in department meetings and bi-weekly design critiques and attending exhibition meetings.

Weeks 1 : Introductions

Weeks 2-4: Enhance base plan drawings and renderings

Weeks 5-6: Assist in building the Design Studio material library

Weeks 7-8: Build Furniture and Rendering library

Week 9: Preparation for Intern Presentation

Along with the above focus: Participation in department meetings and bi-weekly design critiques, and observing exhibition focused meetings. Assistance on projects such as permanent collection rotation archives, maquette production, and program conversions. 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

· Learning the design environment (galleries/museum) and how those spaces are considered

· Collaborating with various departments within the institution and experience the phases in designing an exhibition

· Learning about designing rotations of permanent collection works at SFMOMA through organization and archiving

· Learning how the Design Studio uses materials, what is considered, and out sustainability practices by working with our material library

ADDITIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMING

The Summer 2025 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.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

· Applicants must be currently enrolled in school or a recent graduate. SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.  

· Excellent organization, time management skills and prioritizing projects.

· Thorough knowledge of PC software applications (AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Suite). Experience with Revit and Rhino a plus.

· Must know how to scan and manipulate images, creative ability to make 3-D models/ representations from 2-D images.

· Understanding of exhibition fabrication and construction. Experience producing concepts and detailed drawing packages at all levels (concept, schematic, design development, visual alignment, prototype, bidding, and construction) for exhibition design projects.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

**Current SFMOMA employees are not eligible to apply for the Summer 2025 internship.**

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

· Intern application via SFMOMA's job site

· Resume

· Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest. 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 former employer.

· College transcript: Transcripts can be unofficial but need to be legible.

Application Deadline: March 14, 2025

You do not need separate letters of recommendation for each intern application - please just let each of the recommenders know which internships (up to 3) you're applying to and we'll review those two letters across all of your internship applications.

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 of 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 talent@sfmoma.org.