Gain hands-on experience at a top tier art museum.

Photo: Winni Wintermeyer

Internship Program

The internship program at SFMOMA is one of the museum’s highest priorities. I was made to feel like an integral part of the museum’s mission and to be proud of our upcoming projects. It’s a far cry from fetching coffee and shredding paper.

Kathryn B.

If you’re interested in becoming an SFMOMA intern, check out our current opportunities. Our interns get a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day operations of one of the country’s leading modern and contemporary art museums. Interns receive hands-on museum work experience by performing a variety of tasks that include conducting research, assisting professional staff, and interacting with the public. We offer internships across most departments, from Curatorial to Education to Development.

SFMOMA’s passionate and generous interns are indispensable to achieving our goals as a museum. Join this group of talented individuals and contribute your time while gaining skills and a working knowledge of the museum world.

SFMOMA offers unpaid internships during the spring and over the summer. Specific internship lengths and hours per week are determined between the successful applicant and the department.

To apply: Interested candidates can find current opportunities using the Browse Internship Opportunities button. If no internships are found, you can create a profile to be alerted when new positions are posted.

Timeline for applications:

Spring
  • September: Spring internships posted
  • Late November: Spring internship application deadline
  • January 1: Spring interns selected
  • February–April: Spring internship
Summer
  • January: Summer internships posted
  • March: Summer internship application deadline
  • May 1: Summer interns selected
    June–August: Summer internship

Intern benefits include:

  • Free admission to the museum, and the museums that SFMOMA is currently partnering with
  • Participation in special educational programs with today’s preeminent artists, curators, and thinkers
  • 10% Museum Store discount
  • Behind-the-scenes museum tours, including curatorial walkthroughs of new exhibitions
  • Use of the SFMOMA Library
  • Invitations to special activities and members-only previews
  • Tax deductions for transit and transportation expenses such as mileage, tolls, and parking
Browse Internship Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in addition to curatorial walk-throughs and lunch + learns when interns have the opportunity to meet staff across the museum, interns will also be assigned a mentor from a different department.

Yes. All interns are given an SFMOMA ID badge. This ID badge enables either free or discounted entrance into other museums and cultural institutions in the Bay Area. Enjoy!

Interns are encouraged to maintain the same weekly schedule but can switch days with approval from their supervisor. Interns must be here on the required day, which is Wednesdays in the summer and Fridays in the spring.

All interns must be age 18 years or older and a current student or recent graduate.

Yes, applicants will receive confirmation of receipt via email once they have accurately submitted the online application and uploaded their materials.

Applicants who have been selected for an interview will be contacted by email or phone to schedule a date with Human Resources. Interviews may be conducted in person or over the phone.

Yes, all applicants will be contacted by email if their application is no longer being considered.

Your internship at SFMOMA will allow you to gain valuable, hands-on experience and skills of working here. This is great experience for your resume. We encourage interns to apply for jobs at SFMOMA during and after their internship but employment is not guaranteed.

Yes, the Museum does accept international students. International applicants will be reviewed on an individual basis and must have applicable visa eligibility to participate in a US internship. International students are responsible for obtaining appropriate work authorization during the internship period.

Yes, interns may receive course credit so long as they make arrangements with their respective college or and university.

No, interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.

Unfortunately, we are not currently able offer compensation to our interns

Yes, all interns attend an orientation their first day that welcomes them to SFMOMA, presents the history of the museum, reviews policies and paperwork, and introduces them to the fellow interns and staff they will be working alongside.

Yes, you are welcome to reapply for the following season(s).

You will be contacted by email. Please be aware that certain email providers filter emails from SFMOMA. Please look for email addresses ending in “@sfmoma.org” and, when possible, mark them as “not spam.”