Acquisitions Assistant (Temporary)

Part-time non-exempt up to 28 hours/week

Compensation : $23 per hour

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 () who bequeathed his home paintings sculptures and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institutions holdingswhich encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth centuryhave 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 museums founder. Recognized as one of the worlds 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 addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and 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 worlds 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.

Position Summary

The Frick Art Research Library book collection consists of over 400000 monographs exhibition and collection catalogs and catalogues raisonnés; over 3000 periodical titles; and over 90000 auction catalogs from more than 1000 auctions houses in Europe Australia and the Americas. Coverage includes paintings drawings sculpture and prints from the fourth to the end of the twentieth century by European artists and artists from around the world influenced by European traditions. Materials are collected in all formats and in any language with approximately 6000 new titles added to the collection annually.

Reporting to the Acquisitions Lead the Acquisitions Assistant provides operational support in the receiving and copy cataloging of monographs for the library.

Responsibilities include:

• Unpacking books and matching titles to invoices
• Receiving the material in Alma
• Copy cataloging according to MARC 21 standards
• Other related duties as assigned

The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.

• Experience with copy cataloging of monographs and OCLC Connexion
• Experience with ExLibriss Alma/Primo or with another ILS commonly used in research libraries
• Precise attention to detail and ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to work for extended periods at a computer workstation and lift moderately heavy boxes
• Knowledge or course work in Art History

Preferred

• Reading knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and if requested reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship.

• Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles.
• Ability to interact in-person with colleagues vendors and visitors.
• Use common office tools and machines (computer phone).
• Ability to transport and operate equipment.
• Ability to traverse and navigate throughout the offices building(s) in and out-doors galleries different levels of the building and storage areas to complete tasks (includes climbing steps ladders and scaffolding; lifting objects and containers up to 40 lbs.)

Employment Status and Compensation

This is a temporary part-time nonexempt role for 6 months at up to 28 hours per week during regular office hours. Compensation is $23 per hour

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Sick time: part-time employees and interns accrue sick leave up to 56 hours/year in accordance with the New York City Earned Sick Time Act.

Paid Holidays: part-time employees receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Years Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Day Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees and interns in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan 403(b).

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets.

Meal and Museum Shop discount: When employees are working onsite they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. All employees are eligible to receive a discount on Frick Museum Shop purchases.

Application Process

Apply here or send resume and cover letter to:

Sabina and Harlan Stone Assoc Chief Librarian

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York NY 10021