Curatorial Photography (Gordon Parks1963) Intern

San Francisco, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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

One of the first American museums to recognize photography as an art form SFMOMAs photography collection encompasses work from daguerreotypes made in the first years of the mediums existence to digital imagery produced by experimental contemporary artists. The largest collecting area in the museum photography has been an integral part of SFMOMA since its founding in 1935 due to the formative presence of Bay Area artists such as Ansel Adams Dorothea Lange Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham.

SFMOMAs pioneering commitment to photography continues today even as the definition of the medium continues to evolve. By bringing together all of its forms prints projections and installations we aim to propose a fresh approach to exhibiting photography at SFMOMA one that embraces the inherently modern and democratic qualities of photography in the current era.

Position Description

Working closely with Photography department staff the curatorial intern will focus on research and writing on photography in the year 1963 as it related to the artist Gordon Parks. The intern will conduct research on Parks multifaceted career compiling an annotated bibliography of his books as well as his projects in other media. Focusing on Parks life in the year 1963 the intern will build out a timeline of Parks travels projects and major personal and professional events. The intern will also identify Parks contemporaries within the photography department collection and compile lists of other photographs taken in 1963. Related research will include assessing SFMOMA artist files for Parks contemporaries. The intern will also conduct research in archives and write summaries and lists on events and exhibitions that took place in 1963 at SFMOMA and fellow local institutions.

Project Plan

The Curatorial Intern Photography will perform research scan archival material and compile summaries and timelines. They will construct a detailed timeline of Gordon Parks movements projects and life events in 1963. In addition they will compile an annotated bibliography on Parks books. The intern will put together lists of local events and exhibitions during 1963 as well as artist and artwork lists from SFMOMAs permanent collection related to that year.

Educational Objectives

Engage with scholarship on Gordon Parks and civil rights photography. They will be mentored on best research

practices how to use archives and databases effectively strategies and sources for finding scholarship as well

as on how to keep information organized and accessible for the future.

Gain an understanding of early-stage planning for acquisitions and exhibitions.

Learn about working in a large arts organization and accessions/collections practices

Gain exposure to information useful for further academic study in and related fields

Sharpen research writing and organizational skills and apply Photography Art History American Studies

African American Studies background to various museum projects and initiatives.

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 African American or Ethnic Studies Curatorial Studies Art History or

related field with a demonstrable focus on Photography. 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.

Ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and have strong research writing and organizational skills and the ability

to communicate clearly

Familiarity with 20th century art history and African American history with a focus on photography

Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of the team and show intellectual curiosity and the

ability to manage time efficiently and set priorities to complete projects.

Proficient with standard office equipment and current technologies and software including Microsoft Office

Suite.

$7000 - $7000 one-time

Pre-tax stipend paid out in a one-lump sum after start date

*TAX WITHHOLDING: For certain non-US residents and non-CA residents any payments that constitute taxable income under U.S. tax law may be subject to up to 30% federal and 7% state tax withholding (or the current applicable rates) and so any payments you receive may be reduced accordingly. Please consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of your stipend from this internship.

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.

Required Experience:

Intern