Aimee Ng Takes the Helm as Chief Curator of the Frick Collection

The Frick Collection in New York has appointed Aimee Ng as its new chief curator, effective November 2023. Ng, currently serving as the museum’s John Updike Curator, has been part of the curatorial team since 2015. She succeeds Xavier F. Salomon, who has held the position since 2014 and plans to take on the role of director at Lisbon’s Calouste Gulbenkian Museum early next year.

In a statement, Axel Rüger, director of the Frick, praised Ng as an “exceptional colleague and scholar.” He highlighted her ability to engage diverse audiences and acknowledged her contributions during the museum’s recent reopening and transition back to its renovated Fifth Avenue location.

Ng’s curatorial career at the Frick has been marked by significant exhibitions featuring renowned Italian Renaissance artists such as Andrea del Sarto, Bertoldo di Giovanni, and Giovanni Battista Moroni. In addition, she co-curated the exhibition “Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick” with Antwaun Sargent during the museum’s temporary relocation to the Breuer Building, and played a key role in the recent exhibition “Vermeer’s Love Letters,” created in collaboration with guest curator Robert Fucci.

Ng holds a PhD in art history from Columbia University and was previously a fellow at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. Reflecting on her decade-long journey at the Frick, Ng expressed pride in contributing to the museum’s tradition of curatorial excellence, stating, “I’m proud to have contributed to the museum’s long tradition of curatorial excellence, all the while searching for novel ways to make our centuries-old masterpieces speak to contemporary audiences.”

Ng’s Vision for the Future

Ng sees the museum’s recent renovation and reopening as a pivotal moment, transforming it from a “hidden gem” into a leading arts destination in New York City. She is eager to expand the curatorial department’s reach, aiming to engage a broader audience while maintaining the Frick’s distinctive identity and character.

In an interview with Artforum, Ng elaborated on her curatorial philosophy. She expressed a shift in her perspective regarding the term “curated,” initially feeling indignant about its broad application. However, after collaborating with various curators across the country, she has embraced a more inclusive understanding of the role, stating, “For me, curating is simply taking care of art in the fullest sense, including connecting people with its stories.”

As Ng steps into her new role, the Frick Collection anticipates a revitalized approach to its exhibitions and programming, continuing its legacy of fostering appreciation for art while adapting to contemporary narratives. The museum community, along with its visitors, looks forward to what Ng’s leadership will bring in the months and years ahead.