Bill Nichols joins the Frick as Director of Operations and Visitor Services from Austin Museum of Art, Christine Chambers is promoted to Director of Finance and Administrative Services

PITTSBURGH, PA, November 1, 2010-Frick Art & Historical Center Director Bill Bodine announces the promotion of Christine Chambers to the position of Director of Finance and Administrative Services and the appointment of Bill Nichols to the position of Director of Operations and Visitor Services. Both are newly created senior management-level positions.

As Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Ms. Chambers' responsibilities include management of all aspects of the museum's financial and accounting operations, as well as ensuring the legal soundness of museum operations. She also supervises technology and human resources at the Frick, which has a total of 155 full- and part-time employees.

Mr. Nichols will oversee the Frick's Grounds, Maintenance and Security, and Visitor Services departments, and will be responsible for all operational aspects of the 5-acre physical plant and grounds, which includes The Frick Art Museum; an historic house museum, Clayton, the Pittsburgh home of the Henry Clay Frick family; the Car and Carriage Museum; The Café at the Frick; Lexington Education Center; an administration building; a greenhouse; and the historic Frick children's playhouse, which houses The Museum Shop and Visitor Center. He will also direct the business operations of visitor amenities, The Café at the Frick and the Museum Shop.

Ms. Chambers was hired as Senior Accountant at the Frick in 1997, and in 1998 was promoted to Controller, the position she held until her recent promotion. A native of New York City, Ms. Chambers attended Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. 

Mr. Nichols, who begins his Frick position on December 1, is relocating from Austin, Texas, where he currently serves as Director of Operations and Facilities at the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). In that capacity, he has managed the operating infrastructure and facilities of the museum, which encompasses two locations:  a Downtown art exhibition and program space, and Laguna Gloria, a historic house and art school located 5 miles away on 12 acres of grounds. Nichols' responsibilities included security and visitor services for both sites. While at AMOA, he managed the construction of two new art school studios as well as the conversion of an historic gatehouse into an art gallery, café and visitor center, and introduced wireless technology to both primary museum sites. As a member of AMOA's senior staff, Bill worked collaboratively with other departments to improve the visitor experience, customer service and membership sales.

"I am pleased that Chris and Bill are joining the Frick's Management Team," says Bill Bodine. "As our former Controller, Chris brings considerable experience, knowledge and expertise to her new position. And the Frick will benefit from Bill's 15 years' experience as a museum professional, with a proven track record of facility and visitor service management at an institution which, like our museum, includes a historic house, multiple buildings, varied collections, and extensive grounds. "

About the Frick Art & Historical Center

The Frick Art & Historical Center is the legacy of Helen Clay Frick, daughter of 19th-century industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick. Having established The Frick Art Museum in 1969, Miss Frick desired that her family home, Clayton, and the surrounding estate be preserved for, and opened to, the people of Pittsburgh. Miss Frick passed away in 1984, and left an endowment to enable the realization of her vision for this site. Following an extensive restoration, Clayton opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1990. Over 90% of Clayton's furnishings are original, and public tours of the home are offered year-round.

The Frick Art & Historical Center houses a galaxy of collections-including fine arts, decorative arts, automobiles and carriages, and historic artifacts- in multiple galleries and venues, many of which are historic objects in and of themselves. These collections, and the programs that interpret them, illuminate the era during which Pittsburgh became one of the nation's most important cities and also make meaningful connections to contemporary times. Although still a relatively young institution, the Frick ranks among Pittsburgh's most important cultural and educational assets. The museum is visited by over 130,000 people annually.

The Frick Art & Historical Center is located at 7227 Reynolds Street in Pittsburgh's Point Breeze neighborhood. Free parking is available in the Frick's off-street lot or along adjacent streets. The Frick is open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission to The Frick Art Museum, Car and Carriage Museum, Greenhouse, and Playhouse is free. The public should call 412-371-0600 for information, or visit the Frick online at TheFrickPittsburgh.org.  

For additional information or images, please contact Greg Langel, Media and Marketing Manager, at 412-371-0600 ext. 524 or GLangel@TheFrickPittsburgh.org

The Frick Art & Historical Center, a museum, historic site and cultural center, serves the public through preservation, presentation, and interpretation of the fine and decorative arts and historically significant artifacts for all residents of and visitors to Western Pennsylvania.