Objects Conservation Intern
San Francisco, CA
Conservation /
Internship /
Hybrid
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 hours/week, June 16 - August 15, 2025, approximately 5 days working onsite
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
The Elise S. Haas Conservation Department is charged with the preservation, conservation, research, and display of modern and contemporary artworks, and in the exploration and documentation of artists’ practice. Eight staff members (conservator, director, and preparator) work collaboratively in a shared studio space for five conservation disciplines (electronic media, objects, paintings, paper, and photography).
The art of our time necessitates new models of care for preservation and access, and SFMOMA conservators work collaboratively both intra- and inter-departmentally to address new challenges presented in unorthodox materials and emerging art-making methods. The scope of work encompasses activities across the preservation space to include treatment of art objects, documentation, exhibition installation, storage/packing and transportation of artworks, environmental control, tracking acquisitions and outward loans, policy writing, and holistic care for the collection. The department cares for the Artist Materials Collection, representing the physical manifestations of artists’ practices and is displayed and housed on the in the center of the Conservation studio.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This internship will provide a student conservator the opportunity to experience the practicality of contemporary art conservation within a museum context. It is designed to provide a balanced distribution of time between proactive, maintenance, and reactive conservation activities.
PROJECT PLAN
Over the 9-week program the Conservation Intern will:
· Assist in the active installation of gallery presentations (for example: New Works exhibition)
· Participate in the rotation of artworks on view (for example: Outdoor Sculpture refresh)
· Contribute to the maintenance of collection works (for example: cleaning works on view)
· Complete a conservation treatment (including documentation and research)
· Participate in other activities that can give the Intern a fuller perspective of being a museum Conservator as determined appropriate by Objects Conservation staff
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Through this Internship the Intern will expand their understanding of what it means to be a part of a multidisciplinary conservation team at a large museum. The work-placement with provide experiences that give insight into four critical aspects of the job: installation of new presentations, collaboration with artists and their representatives, maintenance and collection care tasks, and restorative conservation treatments.
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
· Student or recent graduate in Museum Studies, Museum Administration or similar program. The SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.
· Interest in modern and contemporary art and its care.
· Foundational understanding of standard conservation terminology, practices, and materials and ability to communicate clearly in writing and conversation.
· Familiarity with preventative conservation practices.
**Current SFMOMA employees are not eligible to apply for the Summer 2025 internship.**
$7,200 - $7,200 one-time
$7,200 pre-tax stipend paid out in a one-lump sum after start date
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
· Completed 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 current/former employer.
· College transcript: Transcripts can be unofficial but need to be legible.
Application Deadline: February 6, 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.
