Interested in joining the SF Camerawork Board?
You have come to the right place!
We Are Seeking New Board Members
SF Camerawork is currently seeking experienced, engaged, and values-aligned individuals to join our Board of Directors! Board members play a vital role in stewarding the organization’s mission, supporting long-term sustainability, strengthening fundraising efforts, and serving as ambassadors for our community.
If you are passionate about contemporary photography, supporting emerging and established support, and building accessible, inclusive cultural spaces, we invite you to apply.
Recruitment is ongoing, and applicants will be contacted on a rolling basis.
To apply and for further questions, please contact: info@sfcamerawork.org
Join a dedicated group of artists, cultural workers, and community leaders shaping the future of SF Camerawork.
The Organization
SF Camerawork is a long-standing leader in the San Francisco arts community. The organization was founded in 1974 by a collective of artists who welcomed experimental photography, unconventional techniques, and sociopolitical themes and who fostered a range of alternative styles and approaches. The essence of the founders’ vision remains at the core of SF Camerawork even as the organization has adapted to the changing scope of photography and surrounding cultural landscape. In January 2020, SFMOMA opened the exhibition Thought Pieces, showcasing groundbreaking work by three of SF Camerawork’s founders: Hal Fischer, Donna- Lee Phillips, and Lew Thomas (now available to experience virtually).
For 50 years and counting, SF Camerawork has provided a launching pad for many artists' careers, supplying invaluable financial support, exhibition space, curation, and patronage. In its early years, SF Camerawork was the first organization in the Bay Area to host exhibitions and lectures by controversial but ultimately highly influential artists such as Sally Mann, Robert Mapplethorpe, Susan Meiselas, and Joel-Peter Witkin. More recently, the organization has presented the first West Coast exhibitions for artists including John Chiara, Binh Danh, Erica Deeman, Chris McCaw, and Meghann Riepenhoff—artists who have emerged as leaders of a new generation gaining international prominence. SF Camerawork exhibitions have continuously received attention from both local and national media, including The New York Times, CNN, National Public Radio, Art Forum, Art in America, The Huffington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Art Practical, Frieze, and Photograph magazine.
As a nonprofit organization, SF Camerawork is uniquely positioned to present important new photography and opportunities that would not otherwise be provided by commercial galleries or museums. The nonprofit framework allows for creative freedom independent of a sales revenue model. SF Camerawork’s gallery presents installation-based, genrehybrid, and materially experimental work, as well as work that addresses challenging sociopolitical issues. For all of these reasons, SF Camerawork is a place where emerging artists aspire to exhibit and where collectors are drawn to discover them. The organization also offers a rich array of programming beyond artist exhibitions. An annual calendar of critiques, workshops, lectures, panel discussions, and curator-led museum and gallery tours offer unique insight and access to San Francisco’s local photography network.
SF Camerawork is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an integral contributor to San Francisco’s position as one of the world’s most important centers for creative photography.
The Opportunity
SF Camerawork’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and fiduciary oversight while actively supporting fundraising, partnerships, and organizational growth. Board members collaborate closely with staff to ensure the organization remains artist-driven, financially sustainable, and responsive to the communities it serves.
This is a hands-on board for individuals who want to meaningfully contribute their skills, networks, and perspective to a dynamic arts organization.
Desired Skills and Experience
We are particularly interested in board candidates with professional experience in:
Accounting and finance (budgeting, financial oversight)
Fundraising and development (individual giving, campaigns, donor strategy)
Creative direction (branding, visual strategy, storytelling, design leadership)
Law (nonprofit governance, contracts, compliance)
In addition, artists are always encouraged to apply. SF Camerawork values artist voices at the board level and is committed to maintaining an artist-informed governance structure that reflects our mission and community.
Ideal candidates also:
Are passionate about contemporary photography and visual culture
Share a commitment to equity, inclusion, and supporting underrepresented artists
Are excited to contribute time, skills, and networks to advance SF Camerawork’s sustainability and impact
Bring nonprofit board experience or a strong desire to learn and grow in governance (prior experience not required)
We strongly encourage applications from individuals whose identities and lived experiences reflect the diversity of the communities and artists SF Camerawork serves.
The Commitment
Board members are asked to:
Commit to a three-year term
Be informed, curious, and active participants in SF Camerawork by asking thoughtful questions, collaborating with fellow Board members and staff, responding to communications in a timely manner, and making decisions in the best interests of the organization.
Serve on at least one Board committee and attend a minimum of 75% of Board and committee meetings. Meeting cadence is currently 1-2 meetings a month.
Participate in special Board activities, including training, retreats, and strategic planning sessions.
Contribute $500 in annual board dues
Maintain an active SF Camerawork membership at the $250/year Community level or higher throughout their Board service.
Commit to a minimum annual fundraising goal of $1,000, through individual giving, exhibition sponsorships, or in-kind contributions.
