Editor, Interpretation

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, at least three days working onsite

Reporting to the Manager of Interpretation, the Editor, Interpretation, is responsible for the editing and project management of in-gallery interpretive texts and object labels, as well as digital interpretive content. This role requires creative and critical thinking combined with advanced editing skills and an understanding of how to manage people and projects to deliver interpretive text that centers the museum’s audience and meets department goals.

The Editor, Interpretation plays a crucial role in shaping/enhancing visitor experience by supporting the production of compelling, accurate, and engaging in-gallery texts. They bolster the Interpretation team's efforts to document and provide context for exhibitions and the museum’s collection, showcase the scholarship of our curators, and aim to reach a wide range of readers.

This position is responsible for representing Interpretation at interdepartmental project meetings and works closely with other Interpretation staff as well as curators, graphic designers, and colleagues in Exhibitions and Program Management to ensure that institutional standards for content, editing, and design are maintained within in-gallery materials. The Editor develops and circulates schedules and ensures that the signage process, from editing through production, stays on track. This role troubleshoots and implements solutions in consultation with other Interpretation staff, colleagues in the Design Studio and Exhibitions and Program Management, and freelancers/contractors as needed.

In the first year of work in this position, key milestones will be:

o   By 30 days: establish understanding of key Interpretation/interpretive text projects, roles, and procedures and contribute to projects as assigned; begin developing departmental, cross-departmental, and cross-divisional relationships necessary for collaborative work. 

o   By the first quarter: contribute to an increased number, scale, and variety of projects while continuing to develop collaborative working approach. 

o   By one year: demonstrate increased ability to work independently and problem-solve proactively on multiple simultaneous projects; contribute to refining departmental and cross-departmental workflows; and deepen key professional collaborations. 

• Undertake the editing of in-gallery exhibition materials as assigned, and primarily serving as lead editor for major exhibition projects, including brochures, handouts, text panels, object labels, and interactive media.  
• Schedule, copyedit, and proofread manuscript and galleys in collaboration with other Interpretation staff.  
• Represent Interpretation at interdepartmental project meetings and work closely with the museum’s curators and graphic designers to ensure institutional standards for content, editing, and design are maintained within these materials. 
• Support the implementation and refinement of cross-departmental workflows for exhibition materials. 
• Undertake the development, editing, and proofreading of interpretive text content to be published via various digital platforms.
• Participate in interpretive planning discussions for projects as assigned, ensuring cohesion of tone, style, and voice across modes of interpretation and multimedia in-gallery affordances.    
• In consultation with department managers, undertake and/or coordinate the editing and production of gallery texts and signage as assigned.  
• Work proactively to ensure assigned projects meet schedule, quality, and content requirements. Take the lead in developing schedules for these projects and coordinate the work of any freelancers hired to work on them, including designers, editors, translators, and consultants.  
• As assigned, assist with or coordinate the checking of texts in layout. Organize the routing of these materials for approval as necessary, alerting appropriate staff members and obtaining approvals in a timely fashion. 
• Undertake image acquisitions and licensing and/or supervise the work of Interpretation editors to obtain reproductions and permissions for inclusion in interpretive materials such as brochures and digital materials, arranging photo shoots both on- and off-site when necessary, trafficking image files, compiling related paperwork, and processing invoices.  
• Edit projects for readability and style, write and rewrite as necessary, and help maintain the museum’s standards of editorial excellence in all editing endeavors. 
• Support the supervision of the work of other Interpretation editorial staff assigned to the Editor’s projects. 

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in art history, English, journalism, or related subject, with specific coursework in modern and contemporary art desirable.
• Minimum of six (6) years of related professional experience, including editing and proofreading interpretive texts for a general audience.
• Demonstrated history of bringing complex editorial projects to successful completion.
• Strong organizational, communication, writing, editorial, and project management skills.
• Familiarity with modern and contemporary art history and art terminology.
• Working knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and InDesign) and HTML a plus.
• Ability to set priorities, deal effectively and tactfully with artists and museum staff, maintain accuracy while meeting deadlines, and juggle a variety of projects simultaneously.
• Proven competence as an editorial project manager with ability to set priorities, maintain budgets, and meet stringent deadlines.
• Competence in at least one foreign language desirable. 

Job posting open date: 5/5/25

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: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, 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.