Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellowship

Description

Spring 2026, One position available

Full-time, 35 hours/week, 12 weeks; Compensation: $27.50 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. In 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 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.

Position Summary

Since 1938, the Frick’s concert series has captivated audiences with performances by world-class soloists, chamber groups, and pioneering early music ensembles. Following a hiatus during the institution’s renovation and enhancement, the series returned in April 2025 in the new Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium. Following the critically successful Spring Music Festival, the Frick presents a full 2025-26 season comprising of 25 concerts of baroque, classical, and twentieth- and twenty-first-century music, performed by extraordinary soloists and ensembles.
 

Working with the Head of Music and Performance and the Music Assistant, the Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellow will participate in the implementation of concert programs. Their responsibilities will include conducting music-related research in the Frick Archives and the Frick Art Reference Library, cataloguing and organizing archival materials with archivist staff, developing annotated program documentation, and attending rehearsals and performances. 

The Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellowship is established in honor of Annette Patricia Bulchandani.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 

The Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellowship is open college graduates or university students requiring financial support for tuition and/or who are first-generation college students in musicology, composition, performance, production or other relevant fields. Fellows will work at the Frick for a consecutive 12-week period to learn about and participate in various aspects of music administration and production. Each Fellow will be referred to as the “Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellow” during their respective tenures in the position.  

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. International candidates must have eligibility to participate in paid internship placements in the U.S. Applicants are responsible for their own housing and travel arrangements.    

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodation(s) 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 and the public. Use common office tools and machines (computer, phone). Ability to traverse throughout the office and building(s) both inside and outside of the and visit different levels of the buildings. Ability to travel throughout New York City for enrichment activities. Ability to carry/transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Work Hours and Compensation

This role is a full-time temporary nonexempt role, up to 35 hours/week. The duration of this fellowship is 12 weeks.

There are very limited options for remote work on a very limited basis and occasional basis. For the most part, all fellowships are in-person only in our offices on the Upper East Side. 

The hourly rate for this role is: $27.50.

Fellows who are assigned to work in person for the duration of their fellowship will receive a $1,500.00 onboarding stipend, on or before their first day of work. 

Time Commitment

The fellowship is 12-weeks in length with tentative start and end dates of April 6  – July 6. 

The Frick hosts the concert series and other activities on evenings, weekends and, occasionally, on holidays when the Museum, Library and offices are otherwise closed to the public. Fellows may be called upon to work to support these evening and weekend events. Generally, activities are carried out during the week with weekend work related to concerts during the 2025-26 season. Fellows will need to commit to attending weekend rehearsals and performances associated with the following concert dates: April 19, May 3, May 22. More information about the 2025-26 concert series click here: https://www.frick.org/programs/concerts

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Part-time employees and fellows 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 fellows receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays The Frick is closed to the public. These include New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

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

Transit benefit: all fellows receive a monthly transit debit card valued at $132.00 for the month(s) they are working at The Frick.

Dining And Museum Shop Discounts: The Frick maintains a Seamless/GrubHub Corporate Account for all in-office food ordering. Employees working on-site may access an $8/day discount toward meal delivery from Seamless. This benefit is per employee per shift and is not transferable. All employees may access a discount in the Frick Museum Shop and the coffee bar in the Museum. 

Professional Development In addition to hourly compensation and the aforementioned benefits, the Frick will provide up to $1,000.00 to support professional development during the 12-week term of the fellowship. At the conclusion of the fellowship, the fellow will provide a written report covering their fellowship experience including professional development activities undertaken

Application Process and Timeline

Applications for the Spring 2026 Ayesha Bulchandani Music Fellowship must be submitted no later than March 23, 2026. 

Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews, and applicants will be notified in April 2026. 

Apply and submit all documents here: 

Submit PDF of cover letter and résumé.

Include the following in your cover letter· 

• Your reasons for applying for the fellowship, including a statement describing how this fellowship would enhance your career plans or academic course of study· 
• Your availability between April – July, 2026
• The names, professional affiliations, and email addresses of two references, at least one of which must be academic· 
• A brief statement describing your financial aid status or financial need, if applicable. 

Candidates who reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those from underserved communities, first-generation students, and individuals who have faced financial challenges are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Or send the required materials to:  

Music and Performance Department

The Frick Collection  

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021

No phone calls, please.  

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment. Benefits subject to change and may differ based on employee status.