Associate Curator of Sculpture

The Frick Collection • New York, NY

22h • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• PhD in Art History or related field and 1 year of experience in the job or related position.
• Fluency in Italian required, with reading proficiency of French and/or German.
• Domestic and International travel up to 40% required.
• Education, training or experience to include: European sculpture, with a particular focus on Italian 15th- and 16th-century bronzes.
• Public speaking.
• Organization and/or supervision of symposia.
• Collaborating with contemporary artists on exhibition and/or book projects

Responsibilities

• Responsible for researching the history of individual pieces in the museum’s collection of Italian bronzes and metals from the 15th to the 17th century.
• Working under the supervision of the Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, responsible for the care, display and interpretation of the collection of sculpture and metals, 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 collaboration with the Chief Curator.
• Researching, writing texts for, and installations plans for long-term loans to the collection.
• Prepare informational videos.
• In collaboration with Digital Media Team: write, produce, and perform in informational videos for educational purposes and for the Collection’s website and digital media offerings.
• Assist with research and writing permanent collection gallery labels.
• Extensive research and writing for scholarly publications both published by The Frick Collection and for art historical journals and other publications.
• Participate in Education programs with lectures, seminars and gallery talks.
• Contribute to donors’ cultivation and fundraising.
• Courier trips.
• Exhibition planning trips.
• Supervising students and scholars holding internships and fellowships at the museum.
• Coordinate the activities of the Stephen K. and Janie Woo Scher Center for the Study of Medals at the Frick Collection.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays (all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day), including four floating holidays
• Up to 12 sick days and 15 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days per year.
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid family leave
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Tax Deferred Savings Plan (403(b))
• Short- and Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Discount on Citi Bike memberships
• Discount on bike helmets
• Discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub when working on-site
• Transit discounts
• Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses, dependent care, and commuting costs
• Discount on Museum Shop purchases
• Discount in coffee bar

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree