Associate Curator of Decorative Arts in New York, New York at The Frick Collection

Full-time, Exempt

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, The Frick Collection is known for its distinguished holdings of European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century. The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. Since opening as a museum in 1935, the institution has grown significantly while preserving the intimate scale and distinctive character that have made the Frick one of the world’s most admired museums. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded by Helen Clay Frick in 1920 and internationally recognized as one of the leading centers for the study of Western art.

After a five-year closure of the Frick’s historic buildings, during which time a major renovation and enhancement project was completed, the Frick reopened in 2025 with new spaces for the display of art and for educational programming, including the Ian Wardropper Education Room and Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium. The Frick has long been a leader in, and advocate for, arts education, and in-gallery teaching with direct access to works of art displayed in historic interior spaces remains foundational to the museum’s mission to provide access, understanding, and enjoyment of the collection to the public.

Position Summary/Job Duties

Responsible for the care, display, research and interpretation of the collection of decorative arts, and for its potential growth, by gift and acquisition. Expected to develop exhibitions and displays relating to significant works in the Collection and will have the opportunity to publish and lecture to a wide variety of audiences. Coordinate permanent collection art moves in that area. Specifically,

• Assist with researching, writing texts for, and installations plans for long-term loans to Collection.
• Prepare informational videos.
• Assist with permanent collection gallery labels.
• Write articles for The Frick Collection’s Members Magazine.
• Participate in Education programs with lectures, seminars and gallery talks.
• Collaborate with Education and the Head of Music and Performance for programs, concerts and lectures.
• Contribute to donors’ cultivation and fundraising.
• Courier trips.
• Exhibition planning trips.

Job Requirements/Skills/Experience/Education

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying.

Master’s degree or equivalent in Art History, History or related field and 1 year of experience in the job or related position. Must be pursuing or have completed a PhD in a related field. French language fluency required. Domestic and International travel up to 40% required. Education, training, or experience to include:

• Public speaking in the field of Art History and/or History, especially Decorative Arts, 18th century decorative arts, especially French Decorative Arts.
• Published works in the field of 16th–19th century European Decorative Arts.
• Additional secondary knowledge of one of these languages: German, Italian.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements of this role are needed to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation(s).

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles. Ability to interact in-person with colleagues. Use common office tools and machines (computer, phone). Ability to traverse throughout the office and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum and visit different levels of the building. Ability to carry/transport materials weighing up to 20 or more pounds.

Workplace Culture

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

The Frick Collection provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Benefits of Employment at The Frick Collection

Paid Holidays: All full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays (all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day), including four floating holidays; two may be used in the first half of the calendar year, two may be used in the second half of the calendar year.

Sick and Vacation Time: Eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick and 15 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days per year.

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

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

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees in planning for retirement. The Frick provides all eligible employees with a defined benefit pension plan, the value of which is equivalent to an additional 12% in compensation. Employees may also choose to make additional contributions to the Frick's Tax Deferred?Savings Plan (403(b)).

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

Wellness Programs: The Frick offers an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships, and a discount on bike helmets.

Meal Discount: When employees are working on-site, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub.

Additional Benefits: The Frick also offers eligible employees additional benefits including transit discounts and flexible spending accounts for medical expenses, dependent care, and commuting costs. All employees may access a discount on Museum Shop purchases and in our coffee bar.

Employment Status and Compensation

This is a full-time exempt 35 hour/week role. The annual salary for this role is $$134,451.00- $134,451.00.

Application Process

Apply here or send resume and cover letter, reference Job Code: 9559468, to

jobs@frick.org or

Nate Skaggs

Head of Human Resources

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021