Jesse Martinez is a San Francisco–based curator whose practice is grounded in decolonial approaches, community engagement, and a commitment to expanding whose stories are represented in museums and cultural spaces. Born and raised in Los Angeles in a Mexican immigrant and first-generation Latino family, Jesse draws from his experiences as a Queer and Chicano cultural worker to develop thoughtfully researched exhibitions informed by multiple perspectives. He holds an MA in Museum Studies with an emphasis in Curation from San Francisco State University, where he received the Graduate Student Award for Distinguished Achievement and served as President of the Museum Studies Student Association. His recent projects include On Strike! Shut It Down!: The SF State Strikes of 1968–69, a permanent exhibition at SF State’s Special Collections Gallery, and a 2025 Exhibitions Fellowship at the Palo Alto Art Center. He currently serves as a Curator and Board Member of the Lamorinda Arts Council.
