Curatorial Fellowship

Deadline: February 24, 2023

Opened to the public in 1935, The Frick Collection is a world-renowned art museum consisting of more than 1,500 works of art from the ninth to the nineteenth centuries displayed in the intimate surroundings of the former home of Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick. It is considered one of the world’s most perfect museums and the residence is one of New York City’s few remaining Gilded Age mansions. The Frick welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors a year encouraging visitors to closely observe, reflect, and engage with its esteemed collection.

The Frick Art Reference Library, founded by Mr. Frick’s daughter, Helen Clay Frick, in 1935, is an internationally recognized research library that serves as one of the world’s most complete resources for the study of Western art. Our entire staff ensures that the resources of The Frick Collection are made accessible and inviting to “all persons whomsoever,” in accordance with the wishes of the museum’s founder.

The Frick has moved into its temporary home in the former Whitney Museum Breuer building at 75th Street and Madison Avenue, Frick Madison, while renovations are undertaken to the newer parts of the building at 1 East 70th Street.

Position Summary

The Frick Collection is pleased to announce the availability of a two-year predoctoral fellowship for an outstanding doctoral candidate who wishes to pursue a curatorial career in an art museum. The fellowship offers invaluable curatorial training and provides the scholarly and financial resources required for completing the doctoral dissertation. Internationally renowned for its exceptional collection of western European art from the early Renaissance through the end of the nineteenth century, The Frick Collection—complemented by the equally significant resources of the Frick Art Reference Library—offers a unique opportunity for object-based research. The fellowship is best suited to a student working on a dissertation that pertains to one of the major strengths of the collection and library.

The Anne L. Poulet Curatorial Fellow will have an opportunity to work with curatorial and educational staff on research for permanent collection displays and special exhibitions. Other curatorial training responsibilities include participation in the daily administrative routines of a small museum. The Fellow will have a place of study, access to the collections and library, as well as introductions to New York City museums and libraries. Frick curators and conservation staff will be available for consultation on the dissertation. The Fellow will divide his or her time between the completion of the dissertation and activities in the Curatorial Department. The Fellow is considered a full-time temporary exempt employee for the duration of the two-year fellowship. The term is expected to begin in September 2023 and conclude in August 2025.

Benefits of Employment with The Frick Collection

Paid Holidays: All full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays, all federal holidays plus Lincoln’s Birthday, Juneteenth, and Election Day, and two floating holidays to be used in the last quarter of the year.

Sick and Vacation Time: All full-time employees are eligible to accrue up to 12 sick days and 12 vacation days in their first year of employment and in subsequent years. In the fourth year of employment vacation accruals increase to up to 17 days per year.

Family Leave: We provide all eligible employees with bereavement leave and paid parental leave and adhere to federal family leave laws.

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: All eligible full-time employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in employee-sponsored benefit plans. Employees contribute to the cost of health insurance based on income level and type of coverage selected.

Short- and Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance: The Frick covers the entire cost of disability and life insurance benefits for all eligible full-time employees. The life insurance benefit is up to three times the employee’s annual salary.

Retirement: The Frick supports all eligible employees in planning for retirement by offering participation in a 403(b) tax-deferred savings plan and a defined-benefit pension plan.

Wellness Programs: The Frick offers programs including an Employee Assistance Plan and discounts on Citi Bike memberships and bike helmets.

Additional Benefits: The Frick also offers eligible employees benefits including discounted MetroCards/TransitCheks and flexible spending accounts for medical expenses, dependent care, and commuting costs.

Applicants must be within two years of completing their dissertations. The Fellow will receive a salaried stipend of $48,000 per year and a travel allowance. The Fellow is also considered a full-time employee for the duration of their fellowship and will be eligible for the benefits associated with full-time employment.

At the Frick Collection we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while providing an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

The Frick requires all employees be fully vaccinated and to have received a booster vaccine against COVID 19.