Visitor Experience Research Intern

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 hrs/week, June 16 - August 15, 2025, approximately 3 days working onsite

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

At SFMOMA the Visitor Experience (VX) department plays an integral part in providing a welcoming visitor-centric experience for local and non-local audiences alike. The VX department is comprised of Visitor Experience, Group Sales, and Onsite Membership, and supports all internal and external visitors and clients during business and at times non-business hours. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

At SFMOMA the Visitor Experience department plays an integral part in providing a welcoming visitor-centric experience for local and non-local audiences alike. The visitor experience department is comprised of Visitor Experience, Group Sales and Onsite Membership and supports all internal and external visitors and clients during business and at times non-business hours. 

PROJECT PLAN

Data Collection

· Assist in the design and implementation of visitor surveys, interviews, and observation studies of visitor behaviors onsite.

· Collect and organize data using various methods, such as online surveys, paper surveys, or digital tools.

Data Analysis

· Clean, code, and analyze data to identify patterns, trends, and insights.

· Collaborate with Visitor Experience Director and Program Manager to generate reports and visualizations to communicate findings.

Report Generation

· Prepare reports and presentations summarizing research findings.

· Communicate findings to relevant stakeholders, including management and department heads.

· Make recommendations for improving the visitor experience based on research outcomes.

Research Ethics

· Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and data protection regulations when collecting and handling visitor data.

· Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of research participants.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

This Visitor Experience Research Internship is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of visitor research and contribute to enhancing the overall visitor experience at SFMOMA. It will provide you with practical skills and insights that can be applied to future careers in research, marketing, or the museum and attraction industry.

ADDITIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMING 

The Summer 2025 Internship will offer 9 weeks of hands-on experience and mentorship along with weekly presentations and discussions with various departments in the museum, off-site educational visits within the Bay Area community, and access to various tours and events within the museum.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

 · Applicants must be currently enrolled in school or a recent graduate. The SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.    

· Strong analytical skills and the ability to work with data. 

· Excellent communications and presentation skills.

· Proficiency in Excel.

· Attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

· A genuine interest in visitor experience and a passion for improving it.

· Familiarity with research methods, including survey design and data collection, is a plus. 

**Current SFMOMA employees are not eligible to apply for the Summer 2025 internship.**

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

· Completed application via SFMOMA's job site

· Resume

· Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest. Describe the experience you bring, 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 current/former employer.

· College transcript: Transcripts can be unofficial but need to be legible.

Application Deadline: March 14, 2025

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. 

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.