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 ourvalues.
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 - its 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 purposewhere difference is seen as a strength and every one is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time 35 hours/week Monday June 15 - Friday August 14 at least three days working onsite
Department Description
The SFMOMA Design Studio helps to translate the vision of our institution into a vibrant cohesive and welcoming brand and experience. The Graphic Design team within the Design Studiois responsible for all visual communication for the museum both print and digital including branding exhibition graphics publications digital screens and more. The department plays an integral role in content strategy and communicating the museums voice to onsite and offsite visitors.
Position Description
The Design Studio Intern will work closely with the Senior Graphic Designer and other members of the Design Studio team on a wide range of projects. Projects may include brand system studies museum signage initiatives store product collaborations social media efforts website design building and organizing a material library and assisting on current and future exhibition materials. Through these projects the Design Studio Intern will get hands-on experience scheduling producing delivering and installing graphics for exhibitions as well graphic design support on museum-wide projects. The Design Studio Intern will be someone who loves a challenge is an enthusiastic learner has an eye for detail and is both self-motivated and works well in a team.
Project Plan
The Design Studio Intern will be given a project plan at the start of their internship that outlines several projects to be completed over the course of the summer. These projects will expose the intern to the breadth of work we do in the Design Studio and be tied to initiatives our team is working on over the summer.
Educational Objectives
Gain hands-on experience working on an in-house design team
Gain knowledge of the inner workings of a world class arts institution
Practice various production methods including printing and prepress web and email production large scale
vinyl graphics etc.
Participate in Design Studio Pin-up critiques
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
Applicants must be currently enrolled in school or a recent graduate. The SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date
within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.
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.
Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator InDesign Photoshop); familiarity with After Effects a plus
Demonstrates a strong understanding of typography including hierarchy legibility expressive type use proper
ragging and ability to typeset large amounts of text.
Understanding of design principles: typography color theory layout and composition
Familiarity with design for various formats (social media web print environmental etc.)
Organized rigorous and has an eye for detail
Ability to work collaboratively within a team and take direction from senior designers and art directors
Strong time management ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-
paced environment.
Application Requirements
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 masters or PhD program please provide the transcript for your current
program not your undergraduate transcript
Application Deadline: February 28 2026
Please note: You only need two letters of recommendation total not separate letters for each internship. If you apply to multiple internships (up to three) simply inform your recommenders which positions youre applying for. Well review the same two letters across all your 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 informationancestry/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 emailprotected.