Exhibition Designer, On-Call

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: On-Call

Reporting to the Design Director, the Exhibition Designer is a member of SFMOMA’s award-winning Design Studio department. In collaboration with curators, conservators, and construction and facility managers, Exhibition Designers play an important role in implementing and translating SFMOMA’s mission into a vibrant and cohesive built environment experience that engages our audiences through compelling exhibitions, installations, and capital projects. 

From concept to implementation, the approach of the Exhibition Designer needs to be holistic, inspiring, and centered on accessibility and human experience. Must love a challenge, have an eye for detail, work well in a team, and take pride on their ability to balance aesthetics, innovation, sustainability, and versatility.

• Team Responsibilities 
• Contribute to an inclusive, rewarding, and inspiring workplace, where innovation, discovery, and constant learning cultivate a deep sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the Design Studio.   
• Participate and foster a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity. 
• Model empathy and understanding through deep listening and clear communication.  
• Show dedication to the museum’s strategic focus of making programming that engages visitors and inspires individuals to return and recommend the museum to their family and friends. 

• Design Responsibilities 
• Conceptualize and design experiential-built environments and art display solutions through a range of visualization, rendering techniques, construction/fabrication drawings and other specifications to be used by in house or outside fabricators. 
• Demonstrate an ability to carry concepts through a series of related projects and/or subsequent iterations from preliminary space planning and budgeting exercises through concept, schematic, and design development phases in collaboration with curators and other internal and external stakeholders. 
• Work closely with artists and various internal stakeholders in the rotation, production and implementation of art displays and exhibition design as it relates to the needs and safety of the artworks and the safety of our visitors. 

•  Administration Responsibilities 
• Meet with client departments to plan the scope and schedule for individual projects; communicate deadlines, schedules, and production information to all necessary museum departments; attend project meetings as a representative of the SFMOMA Design Studio.  
• After establishing design, scheduling, bidding, production, and budget parameters for various ongoing projects with supervisor and client(s), independently manage all aspects of these projects, from implementation to on time delivery. 
• Maintain quality assurance of all exhibition design in close collaboration with Facility, Installation Construction and Fabrication teams to make sure finish product meets museum quality standards.  
• Communicate with outside consultants when need arises or budget allows; these include fabricators, architects, artists, designers, and new media technology providers. 
• Develop sustainable and creative exhibition design strategies, considering the full cycle of materials and their long-term costs and implications not only for the museum but also the environment.  
• Perform other related duties as required. 

• Undergraduate degree in architecture, museum studies, exhibition design or related field, or equivalent work experience.  
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in an exhibition design or architectural practice including work on exhibition projects or buildings, preferably in a museum or contemporary art setting. 
• Understanding of exhibition fabrication and construction. Experience producing concepts and detailed drawing packages at all levels (concept, schematic, design development, visual alignment, prototype, bidding, and construction) for exhibition design projects. 
• Knowledge of construction phasing, techniques, fabrication skills and material selection. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively. 
• Excellent organization, time management skills and prioritizing projects.  
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion principles, human centered design, and accessibility standards. 
• Thorough knowledge of PC software applications (AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Suite). Experience with Revit and Rhino a plus.  
• Must know how to scan and manipulate images, creative ability to make 3-D models/ representations from 2-D images. 

Job posting open date: 2/21/25

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

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed. 

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street. 

Benefits: SF City Option, SFMOMA Membership, and more

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.

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 talent@sfmoma.org.