Curatorial Assistant, Painting & Sculpture

Sfmoma; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

SFMOMA Membership

Job summary

SFMOMA is seeking a Curatorial Assistant in San Francisco to support the Painting and Sculpture Department with research, documentation, and exhibition-related tasks. You will work closely with curators, staff, donors, and artists to advance the permanent collection, Fisher Collection, and temporary exhibitions.

The role emphasizes meticulous research, strong writing, and coordination across departments, including preparation of materials for meetings and events.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Art History or related field.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Knowledge of modern and contemporary art history and terminology.
• Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines and work with minimal direction.
• Familiarity with collection, donor, and contacts management programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support collection and exhibition research including biographies, chronologies, and exhibition histories.
• Draft correspondence, loan forms, wall labels, and materials for exhibitions and accessions.
• Create artist and object records and maintain checklists for exhibitions.
• Coordinate Accessions Committee meetings and related events.
• Prepare communications and presentations for department activities.
• Deliver data on exhibitions and acquisitions for the DEI Dashboard.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication with Education, Exhibitions, Registration, and other teams.
• Assist with lectures, research, and PowerPoint slides.

Skills

Excellent writing

Communication skills

Organization

Microsoft Office

Research

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Master’s degree in Art History or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Database management

Job description

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, at least three days working onsite/week

Reporting to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Curator of Painting and Sculpture, the Curatorial Assistant contributes to all aspects of the Painting and Sculpture Department’s work on the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and accessions, and administrative projects as assigned. This position provides assistance to the department curators in the research, documentation, development, presentation and interpretation of the SFMOMA collection, Fisher Collection as assigned, and temporary exhibitions. The Curatorial Assistant maintains communication on behalf of the department with museum staff, donors, artists, and arts professionals and builds and maintains advantageous relations with the local, national, and international art community including artists, collectors, dealers, donors, and staff from other museums.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Support collection and exhibition research including, but not limited to research and compilation of biographies, chronologies, and exhibition histories, and documentation of individual works in collections management system.
• Assist with drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, manuscripts, exhibition wall labels, and other materials related to permanent collection, Fisher Collection, and/or special exhibitions and the accessions process. Review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with SFMOMA and departmental policies and procedures, and proper English usage.
• Create artist and object records and maintain checklists for temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations.
• Support the preparation, coordination, and implementation of Painting and Sculpture Accessions Committee meetings, and other events and programs, including but not limited to, generating guest lists, reserving facilities, procuring required equipment, confirming all arrangements, greeting guests on behalf of the department, conducting research on proposed acquisitions, writing defenses, and preparing presentations.
• Draft communications from the Painting and Sculpture Department in support of departmental activities and events.
• Compile and deliver data on department exhibitions and acquisitions for museum-wide annual DEI Dashboard.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication closely with Education and Community Engagement, Exhibitions, Registration, Installation, Conservation, Publications, Design, and Development.
• Facilitate external communication with artists, collectors, lenders, dealers, scholars, and staff members from other museums.
• Provide support for lectures and presentations, including preparing research and PowerPoint slides.
• Maintain accurate records of meetings, including preparing agendas and PowerPoint slides and taking minutes as requested.
• Oversee department email and inbox, including responses to emails when appropriate.
• Maintain, update, and archive the departmental physical and electronic files.
• Assist with the management of travel budgets and arrangements, including hotel reservations and transportation for curatorial staff, visiting artists, and speakers, as needed.
• Act as spokesperson for the department and the museum as needed, including greeting guests and providing occasional tours of the galleries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Master’s degree in Art History or related field, with an emphasis in modern and/or contemporary Art.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience.
• Knowledge of and interest in modern and contemporary art history and terminology.
• Excellent writing, communication, and organization skills and attention to detail. Knowledge of correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of and interest in national and international current events and politics.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Knowledge of standard office practices, letter writing, bookkeeping, filing, scheduling, database management, Microsoft Office software suite, Zoom, faxing, email, answering telephones, and the operation of common office equipment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with donors, artists, Museum staff, colleagues, and the public, whether in person, on the telephone, or in writing.
• Familiarity with collection, digital asset, donor, and contacts management programs as well as basic a/v equipment, (video projectors, digital audio recording devices, photo and video cameras), and image and video editing software applications preferred.
• Additional language skills, an asset.
• Must be able to visually inspect work.
• Must be able to accompany artists off site for research as needed.

$31.60 - $37.93 an hour

$31.60/hour (starting); $37.93/hour (position)

This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Job posting open date: 11/9/26

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

At SFMOMA, we do not believe that any applicant can, or should, meet every qualification listed in a job posting. We are committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and professional paths who are inspired to join a mission-driven, community-oriented organization grounded in inclusivity, passion, bravery, and empathy.

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 or 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 [e-mail].