Archives and Art Resources: Intellectual Property, Rights Intern

Sfmoma•San Francisco, CA

1d•$7,000 - $7,000•Onsite

About The Position

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 hours/week, Monday, June 15 - Friday, August 14, at least three days working onsite Department Description Archives and Art Resources (AAR) upholds SFMOMA’s promise to provide generous access to and inspiring experiences with modern and contemporary art by working cross-departmentally to develop and steward the museum’s digital records related to art and artists. AAR manages SFMOMA’s collections and digital asset management systems; photographs artworks, exhibitions, and activities; institutional archives; and manages rights around making and using digital content about art and artists – all towards maximizing art access for the museum’s audiences and staff. Position Description The Intellectual Property, Rights Intern will focus on assessing works by artist Henri Matisse in the museum’s collection for public domain status. The intern will be jointly mentored by staff in both the Archives and Art Resources and Legal teams. Specifically, the intern will be responsible for researching, writing, and tracking information related to public domain assessment for a selection of works. Research is a collaborative endeavor, amongst and across multiple teams in the museum, and happens in conversation or involvement with artists, rights holders or their representatives. The intern will work throughout the project with staff in Archives and Art Resources, Legal and will be in dialogue with colleagues across the museum. Project Plan Over the 9-week program the AAR Intern will: · Research and familiarize themselves with SFMOMA’s collection · Select approximately five (5) artworks to focus public domain research Bonus priorities: · Provide feedback on how we can improve our processes related to assessing works in the collection for public domain status. The Project Milestones for the intern are: · Locate publications for artworks by week 7 · Research + written summary for five (5) artworks and their rights status to be provided by week 9 Educational Objectives The intern will gain practical experience with: · Gaining knowledge about rules and legal doctrines governing copyright and public domain in the U.S. · Research and writing skills needed to evaluate copyright assessment · Working across departments at a large museum. · Museum collections management, digital asset management, and rights administration. · Seeking and documenting rights-related information about art. Additional Internship Programming The Summer 2026 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.

Requirements

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.
If you are a current employee of the SFMOMA applying for an internship, you must be a current student or a recent graduate, within 6 months of the internship start date.
Intern application on SFMOMA job site
Resume, in PDF format
Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest, in PDF format
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, in PDF format
College/university transcript, in PDF format
Transcripts can be unofficial but must be legible
If you are currently enrolled in a master's or PhD program, please provide the transcript for your current program, not your undergraduate transcript

Responsibilities

Researching, writing, and tracking information related to public domain assessment for a selection of works.
Research and familiarize themselves with SFMOMA’s collection
Select approximately five (5) artworks to focus public domain research
Locate publications for artworks by week 7
Research + written summary for five (5) artworks and their rights status to be provided by week 9
Provide feedback on how we can improve our processes related to assessing works in the collection for public domain status.

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