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, fully onsite
Under supervision of the Head Preparator and reporting to the Assistant Head Preparator, the Museum Preparator I is responsible for the preparation and handling of art objects in exhibitions and the collection to connect people to the art of our time. This generalist position collaborates extensively throughout the Collections, Exhibitions, and Design Division and other museum departments. The position focuses on logistics related to care, access, handling, framing, and storage of collection and loaned artworks at both of the Museum’s locations at 151 Third Street and South San Francisco in the execution of the museums programs as well as furthering development of SFMOMAs professional standards of art handling.
A successful candidate will begin to learn the systems and practices of the collections teams over the first month to quarter with SFOMOMA. This will include working with project points, co-points, registration, conservation, and other preparators while working under the delegation of project points. Within the first year the candidate will proactively further their institutional understanding, art handling skills, and become a positive contributor to the successful completion of projects.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Team Participation
- Encourage and 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 Preparator team.
- Share in fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity.
- Work in a healthy and flexible style, and models empathy and understanding.
- Participate in nurturing collaboration and partnership across teams with fluid communication and respect for diverse expertise essential to an art museum.
- Demonstrate a commitment 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.
- Represent the museum at the local, national, and international levels.
- Participate in professional networks, workshops, and programs to stay current with relevant practices, methods, and technologies, as well adding new skills to share with the department.
- Art Handling
- Uphold constant standards in collection care and installation of artwork.
- Work collaboratively and closely with the preparator team, often under the direction of Project Point and Co Point, accepting shared knowledge and offering experience to the tasks assigned.
- Facilitate the safe movement, packing/unpacking, installation, and proper lighting of artwork in concert with the SFMOMA exhibitions teams, utilizing proper handling and security techniques.
- Ensure that cleanliness of work areas, storage, and galleries are maintained with focus on safety for people and artwork.
- Participate in the construction or implementation of exhibition elements including walls, pedestals, boxes, fixtures, mounts, housings, and other finished structures related to the installation and display of exhibitions and works of art.
- Participate in the training and development of procedures and standards to improve the movement, handling, packing, and installation of art.
- Apply skills to aid in the activities of the in-house framing staff.
- Participate in collections inventories.
- Participate in the planning, access, organization, documentation, and movement of works to be stored in new storage spaces.
- Represent SFMOMA to other institutions, both national and international, to facilitate the installation and/or deinstallation of SFMOMA-organized exhibitions and/or presented artworks from SFMOMA’s collection, as assigned.
- Administration
- Participate in departmental, team, and project meetings or project de-briefings, as directed by preparator leadership. Communicate concerns and plans to project teams.
- Work as directed by project points; at times working directly with curators, artists, and artist assistants towards the success of their project.
- Assist appropriate managers regarding adherence with fire code, and the care and storage of hazardous waste, building materials, and machinery.
- As assigned, assist with materials research and other necessary fact-finding tasks pertaining to specific projects.
- Ensure that work areas are well maintained and stocked; Alerting preparator leadership or project leads of needed supplies.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications & Skills
- Possession of a High School diploma or G.E.D certificate. Interest and knowledge of modern and contemporary art desirable. Art museum experience strongly preferred.
- A minimum of one (1) year related experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Comprehend and execute task-based direction from more senior preparator staff.
- Work in an effective and efficient manner regarding time, materials, and safety.
- Demonstrated concern for detail, accuracy, and efficiency in the execution of projects.
- Proficiently and safely utilize shop equipment including portable and stationary power tools within personal knowledge base; interest to learn appropriate usage of unfamiliar tools.
- Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with other supervisors, museum staff, students, outside clients, vendors, volunteers, and the public.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively.
- Knowledge of safety precautions and procedures related to the handling of solvents, adhesives, and other fabrication related solutions or ability to learn.
- Act as a steward of the department in proactive upkeep of shared and private spaces.
- Active engagement with sustainability practices as they relate to the museum’s waste handling and recycling practices.
- Familiarity with collections management systems.
Working Conditions
- Must be able to safely lift 50 pounds independently or with a team.
- Close Warehouse and office setting.
- Long periods of standing or physical activity within a Construction/Jobsite environment, including wood dust, paint fumes, and other environmental hazards. Personal protective equipment is supplied.
- The position’s workspace is divided between the museum’s Third Street location and its Collection Center in South San Francisco dependent on assigned projects.
Job posting open date: 10/30/26
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.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
Benefits: SF City Option, 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.
If this describes you, we encourage you to apply.
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 talent@sfmoma.org.
