Guggenheim Museum in New York Announces Layoffs Amid Financial Constraints
The Guggenheim Museum in New York is set to lay off 20 employees, approximately 7% of its staff, due to post-pandemic financial challenges. The institution made the announcement on February 28, revealing that the staff cuts will affect all departments except for senior leadership and curators, as reported by the New York Times. This marks the third round of layoffs at the museum in the past five years.
A spokesperson for the Guggenheim cited rising costs, fluctuating attendance levels, and changes in international tourism as factors contributing to the need for staff reductions. Despite efforts to raise ticket prices, reduce expenses, and implement hiring freezes in recent years, the museum has found it necessary to restructure teams and reduce staffing to ensure its financial stability moving forward.
Among those impacted by the layoffs are 14 union workers from Local 2110 United Auto Workers. The chapter’s president, Olga Brudastova, expressed concern over the lack of notice and union representation during the termination process. The Union has filed a grievance and is demanding information and bargaining with the museum over the layoffs.
Previous rounds of layoffs at the Guggenheim have affected more than two dozen workers in the past five years, including two deputy directors. The museum’s former director, Richard Armstrong, received total compensation packages exceeding $1 million, according to tax filings.
The layoffs at the Guggenheim come on the heels of mass staff reductions at the Brooklyn Museum, where 47 employees were impacted. A rally was held outside the Brooklyn Museum in response to the cuts, and city officials have urged the institution to explore all options before resorting to layoffs.
