The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship

Description:

Post-Graduate Fellowship in Conservation Full-time, temporary (2-3 years), exempt Compensation: $65,000 annually

Background Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Frick Collection and Frick Art Research Library reopened to the public in April 2025.

Workplace Culture 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 offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at The Frick Collection, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established 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.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Fellowship Description The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship supports the Frick’s Conservation team in the care and preservation of the European sculpture and decorative arts objects in the collection. The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellow will report to the Conservator under the direction of the Chief Conservator. The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellow will participate in all departmental activities related to preventive care of the collection and historic interiors of the Frick mansion; documentation and interventive treatment of sculpture and decorative arts; research and technical study of collection works; and supporting upcoming exhibitions. Other tasks include, but are not limited to, maintaining collections information, improving workflows and procedures, and sourcing conservation materials and tools. Additionally, the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellow will gain experience with mentoring interns in the department.

During their tenure, the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellow will be expected to produce at least one scholarly presentation or publication based on their work, supported by a stipend for travel and by The Frick Collection’s staff.

Requirements:

This position is intended for applicants who have completed a graduate program within the last three years in Art Conservation with a focus in objects conservation. More experienced applicants with primary or additional focuses in preventive, furniture, or textile conservation may also be considered. Applicants must have successfully completed their course of study prior to the date when the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship would begin. All applicants are welcome and we encourage applications from:

Candidates who were first-generation college students. Candidates who financed their post-secondary studies with need-based scholarships, educational loans, or a combination of both.

Time Commitment We anticipate this Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship will begin in September 2026 and continue through August 2028 or 2029, depending on the successful candidate's schedule and the mutually exercisable option for a third and final year.

Employment Status and Compensation The Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellow is considered a full-time, temporary, exempt employee for the duration of their two- or three-year fellowship and will be eligible for all benefits associated with full-time employment. Full-time Conservation employees of the Frick Collection are generally scheduled to work 35 hours/week. The annual compensation for this role is $65,000.

Stipend In addition to compensation, we provide an onboarding stipend of $1,500 to help support travel or other expenses to all fellows who are engaged to work.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection:

Paid Holidays: All full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holiday; all federal holidays plus, Juneteenth, and Election Day, and four floating holidays each year: two floating holidays that may be used January - June; two that may be used July - December.

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. 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 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. We also offer retiree health benefits for retirees and their eligible dependents.

Wellness Programs: The Frick offers programs including an Employee Assistance Plan and discounts on a Citi Bike membership.

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, and a Seamless discount on days when working onsite.

Application Process and Timeline Applications for the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship beginning in the 2026-2027 Academic Year must be submitted no later than January 30, 2026.

Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews, and applicants will be notified in mid to late February 2026.

To apply:

Submit PDF of cover letter and résumé.

Include the following in your cover letter:

Your reasons for applying for the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund Conservation Fellowship, including a statement describing how this position would further your career plans and align with your previous experience The names, professional affiliations, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three references, one of which may be academic

Apply here or send required materials to:

Conservation Fellowship The Frick Collection 1 East 70th Street New York, NY 10021

Please note that fellowship applications to multiple departments are not accepted; please apply to only one department.