Curatorial Assistant, Painting & Sculpture

SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

. Support collection and exhibition research, including biographies, chronologies, exhibition histories, and documentation of individual works in the collections management system.

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $32 - $38 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Art History with a focus on modern and contemporary art, alongside strong organizational and communication skills. Proficient in managing collections, drafting correspondence, and facilitating interdepartmental and external communications.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Master's Degree In Art HistoryKnowledge Of Modern And Contemporary ArtExcellent Writing And Communication SkillsDatabase ManagementMicrosoft Office Software Suite

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Collections ManagementExhibition ResearchDocumentationLetter WritingBookkeepingFilingSchedulingAttention To DetailVisual InspectionAcquisition Research

Soft Skills

OrganizationCommunicationAbility To Work Under PressureInterpersonal SkillsAttention To Detail

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeZoomDigital Asset Management ProgramsA/V EquipmentImage Editing SoftwareVideo Editing Software

Industry Keywords

Exhibition HistoriesAccessionsDEI DashboardInterdepartmental CommunicationCurrent Events And Politics

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support collection and exhibition research, including biographies, chronologies, exhibition histories, and documentation of individual works in the collections management system.
Assist with drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, manuscripts, exhibition wall labels, and materials related to collections, exhibitions, and accessions.
Review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, policy compliance, and proper English usage.
Create artist and object records and maintain checklists for exhibitions and collection installations.
Support preparation, coordination, and implementation of Painting and Sculpture Accessions Committee meetings, events, and programs.
Generate guest lists, reserve facilities, procure equipment, confirm arrangements, greet guests, conduct acquisition research, write defenses, and prepare presentations.
Draft departmental communications supporting activities and events.
Compile and deliver exhibition and acquisition data for the museum-wide annual DEI Dashboard.
Facilitate interdepartmental communication with Education and Community Engagement, Exhibitions, Registration, Installation, Conservation, Publications, Design, and Development.
Facilitate external communication with artists, collectors, lenders, dealers, scholars, and staff from other museums.
Provide support for lectures and presentations, including research and PowerPoint slides.
Maintain accurate meeting records, prepare agendas and slides, and take minutes as requested.
Oversee the department email and inbox, including responding when appropriate.
Maintain, update, and archive departmental physical and electronic files.
Assist with travel budgets and arrangements for curatorial staff, visiting artists, and speakers.
Act as spokesperson for the department and museum as needed, including greeting guests and providing occasional gallery tours.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

PTO
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
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
Union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)