The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York is laying off 20 employees across the institution due to financial challenges.
Starting immediately, the museum will lay off 7 percent of its staff as it suffers from rising costs and lower attendance, the New York Times reports.
Mariët Westermann, the museum’s director and chief executive, wrote in a staff letter: “Our overall financial picture is not where it needs to be.
“To be fiscally responsible now and position the museum well for the future, we have made the difficult decision to reorganize some teams and reduce staffing across the museum.”
Museum to lay off 7% of staff
A spokesperson for the Guggenheim told Hyperallergic in a statement: “The extended post-pandemic period has presented a number of challenges felt across our field, in the United States and abroad, including rising costs, variable attendance levels, and changes in international tourism.”
The job cuts are affecting six departments at the Guggenheim, including advancement, education, publications and archives.
Curators and senior executives at the Guggenheim are not affected. This includes Naomi Beckwith, the museum’s chief curator.
This is the third round of layoffs in five years at the Guggenheim, with over 30 employees losing their jobs in the two previous rounds.
Westermann said in the letter to staff: “This reorganization will allow us to work more collaboratively, with new synergies and fewer silos.
“Some of these changes will require the redefinition of existing roles and the addition of new and different roles going forward.”
She added, “I remain steadfastly hopeful and enthusiastic about the opportunities before us.”
Job cuts at Brooklyn Museum
Olga Brudastova, a union leader representing museum employees through the Local 2110 chapter of the United Auto Workers, told the New York Times the union was given no advance notice about the layoffs.
The union has filed a grievance and is demanding bargaining with the Guggenheim over the layoffs.
The cuts at the Guggenheim come after the Brooklyn Museum announced it is reducing its workforce and exhibitions as it faces a budget deficit.
Images courtesy of the Guggenheim
The post Guggenheim museum laying off 20 employees due to financial challenges appeared first on Blooloop.