JOB INFORMATION
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 know we make the greatest impact when a full range of voices is represented.
Passionate: We believe art and the creative process can open our minds to help us build a better world.
Brave: We nurture a responsive, action-oriented atmosphere fueled by curiosity and innovation.
Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution, and forge authentic relationships with our community.
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 everyone is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week
Duration: Monday, June 5th, 2023 – Friday, August 11th, 2023
Pay Rate: $7,500 stipend (pre-tax, one time payment)
The Communications Department is comprised of the Public Relations and the Editorial teams. This internship joins the three-person Public Relations team, which works with colleagues across the department, division, and the institution as well as external stakeholders to expand visibility and build diverse audiences for the full range of museum activity. Focus areas include SFMOMA’s exhibitions, permanent collections, acquisitions, public engagement programs, artists, staff, board leadership, museum store, philanthropy events, and partnerships, among other initiatives. The Public Relations team secures a significant and wide range of press coverage for the museum, generates press materials and staff and leadership talking points, facilitates interviews, as well as film and photograph shoots, all helping tell and share the many stories of SFMOMA with the public.
Position Description
Inspired by the goal of diversifying audiences, reaching new people, and ensuring accurate and effective outreach, the Summer 2023 Public Relations intern will offer the Public Relations team critical support by conducting a deep dive research project for SFMOMA’s current press list. With guidance from the Public Relations team, the Summer 2023 Public Relations intern’s primary project will focus on reviewing, revising, and making strategic updates to the museum’s database of journalists, editors, and media outlets. The Summer 2023 Public Relations intern will also be welcomed to a variety of department and division meetings and outings, including Public Relations team meetings to develop a sense of PR strategy and media relations at the museum, as well as Communications Department meetings, to gain an understanding of the Editorial and Public Relations planning processes and collaborations.
Project Plan
Weeks 1-3
Review current press list; research and revise inaccuracies
Weeks 4-6
Assess current press list to establish baseline; track focus areas of interest and audiences of journalists, editors, and outlets included
Weeks 7-9
Review recent press coverage. Research current media landscape in order to identify and make strategic recommendations for press list additions that align with SFMOMA’s four content areas of focus:
BIPOC artists
LGBTQ+ artists
Artists with disabilities
Environmental sustainability
Week 10
Generate final report:
Summarizing press list revisions/corrections made
Briefly outlining recommended additions to press list (offering a brief explanation for each recommendation)
Offering comparison of updated press list to baseline/original press list
Educational Objectives
Develop a greater awareness of the current media landscape
Gain first-hand experience with public relations at an arts nonprofit, PR strategy and planning, effectively communicating and pitching to the media
Increase knowledge of a wide variety of media outlets, writers, and editors and hone a greater understanding of how to effectively reach a diverse range of audiences
Requirements & Skills
Education & Training
Candidates must be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Ideal candidates might be pursuing a degree in Communications, Art History, English Literature, or any similar or related field.
Desired Skills & Abilities
Interest in visual arts and public relations/communications.
Demonstrated experience with research projects and attention to detail.
Knowledge of PC-based software including Microsoft Office applications. Experience with media databases (e.g., Meltwater or Cision) preferred.
Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality.
Understanding of and interest in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how they relate to the mission and work of a community-focused cultural organization.
Enthusiasm for handling a wide range of projects.
Must be able to inspect work visually.
Application Requirements
Resume
Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest. (Please list no more than three departments.) Describe the experience you bring to these areas, 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 former employer.
College transcript: Transcripts can be unofficial but need to be legible.
Note: If your two letters of recommendation and transcript will be emailed via a third party, the email subject line must state "Attention: STUDENT FULL NAME" and message must include the student's full name, their email address, and the document(s) attached in the email
Application Deadline: March 20, 2023
A link will be provided in the application for you to submit your college transcript and two (2) letters of recommendation via a third party, if you are not able to upload those directly into the application.
You do not need separate letters of recommendation for each intern application - please just let each of the recommenders know which internships (up to 3) you're applying to and we'll review those two letters across all of your internship applications.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
COVID-19 Environmental Factors: In keeping with city, county, and state regulations regarding large gatherings, and to contain the spread of coronavirus, the museum is following the city of San Francisco guidelines. As a part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccination is required for all current and newly hired employees and contractors.
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 of state law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or with providing additional information asked in the job posting. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.
