Library Access Internship for Graduate Students

Description

Summer 2025

One position available

Part-time up to 28 hours/week, 8-10 weeks

Compensation: $25.00 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 (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. Construction has progressed rapidly and, in addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. Frick Madison is now closed to the public. Staff have moved back to 1 East 70th Street and the museum will reopen to the public on April 17.

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.

Internship Description

• Assist with answering onsite and remote research questions
• Assist with interlibrary loan and document delivery services
• Assist with the storage and retrieval of collections
• Assist with the integrated library system
• Assist with public programs
• Assist with social media content
• Design and implement a public program
• Design and publish a subject research guide
• Create a collaborative project with other Library interns

Requirements

• Graduate students studying information science, art history, or related field
• Interest in art, libraries, and public service

Time Commitment

The internship is generally eight to ten weeks, between June and August with activities carried out three to four days a week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m, with some evening hours required for events. Interns may work up to 28 hours/week.

Stipend

In addition to hourly compensation and the aforementioned benefits, we provide an onboarding stipend of $1,500.00 to cover travel or other expenses to all interns who are engaged to work onsite 8-10 weeks. 

Benefits of Employment at The Frick Collection

All interns of The Frick Collection may access free or discounted admission to most of New York’s museums. The Frick also provides employees, trainees, and interns with a discount on Museum Shop purchases.

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 and interns receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Year's 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. Interns are eligible to participate in these programs.

MetroCard: all interns will receive a monthly unlimited Metro Card for the month(s) they are working onsite at The Frick. 

Meal discount: When employees and interns are working onsite, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. 

Application Process and Timeline

Applications for the Summer 2025 Library Access Internship must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025. 

Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews, and applicants will be notified in April 2025. 

Apply here or submit PDF of cover letter and résumé. Include the following in your cover letter:

• Your reasons for applying for the internship, including a statement describing how this internship would enhance your career plans or academic course of study
• What you can contribute to The Frick Collection community
• Your preferred dates and hours of availability (to be discussed if selected for an interview)

Or send required materials to: 

Associate Chief Librarian, Access

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021

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