The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) recently announced that they have laid off 29 full- and part-time staff members, amounting to a 7.5% reduction in their total workforce. The museum union revealed that 26 of the eliminated positions were represented by the unit and claimed that there was no prior notice given before the layoffs occurred. However, the museum stated that union members were offered enhanced severance packages as per their collective bargaining agreement.
According to an announcement on the museum’s website, SFMOMA cut nine filled part-time positions, 20 full-time positions, and 13 unfilled positions. The museum clarified that both union and non-union staff were impacted by the layoffs, but did not provide specific numbers for each category. Despite the cuts, no departments were entirely eliminated.
The SFMOMA Union urged museum personnel to wear all black during an all-staff meeting, sending a message that read “No layoffs. Cut from the top.” They have also met with museum leadership to address what they view as unjustified layoffs. The union has not responded to requests for comment as of yet.
Financial challenges, particularly a $5 million structural deficit exacerbated by decreased tourism post-pandemic, were cited as reasons for the layoffs. SFMOMA mentioned that the pandemic has altered attitudes towards social gatherings and cultural engagement, leading to lasting changes in visitor behavior. In response to these challenges, the museum is working to eliminate its deficit and adapt to the current environment.
In a positive development, SFMOMA received a $1.5 million grant from Google’s philanthropic arm for a Ruth Asawa retrospective exhibition, which generated strong returns. The museum also raised $3.7 million in donations at its annual fundraiser, Art Bash. Other San Francisco museums, such as the Asian Art Museum, the de Young, and the Legion of Honor, were also considering layoffs due to budget constraints imposed by the city.
Similar abrupt layoffs have been reported by museums across the country, with some institutions cutting nearly 10% of their workforce. The Guggenheim Museum and the Brooklyn Museum were among those affected, citing financial deficits and decreased museum attendance post-pandemic. The Brooklyn Museum eventually paused their terminations following protests and intervention from the New York City Council.
These widespread layoffs underscore the financial challenges facing cultural institutions in the wake of the pandemic, as they strive to navigate a changed landscape and ensure their long-term sustainability.
