The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) recently announced the layoff of 12 workers due to a 20% drop in museum visitors since the onset of the pandemic. This decision was attributed to increased operational costs and financial challenges faced by the institution. Approximately 3.5% of FAMSF’s total workforce were affected by these layoffs, including positions funded by the city and others supported by a private nonprofit overseeing the museums.
Among the impacted employees were four union positions represented by Service Employees International Union 1021 (SEIU 1021), including a public programs coordinator, a museum technician, a data services associate, and a publicist. The union expressed sadness over the layoffs and emphasized the need for fair compensation for the affected members.
FAMSF clarified that the layoffs did not affect city-funded positions such as security and maintenance staff but were spread across the organization. CEO and Director Thomas Campbell stated that the financial gap faced by the institution necessitated these actions, pointing to a prolonged period of reduced tourism in San Francisco as a contributing factor.
The recent layoffs come in the wake of FAMSF’s proposal to reduce city-funded positions by 23% to align with budget constraints set by former Mayor London Breed. However, a spokesperson from the organization clarified that the recent cuts were not directly related to these budget recommendations and assured that city appropriations would not be reduced in the upcoming fiscal year.
The change in leadership with the appointment of Mayor Daniel Lurie saw a slight increase in funding for FAMSF in the city’s new budget, with a 3% increase directed mainly towards utility and insurance costs. SEIU 1021 had previously opposed FAMSF’s plan to cut staff, citing concerns about the impact on workers, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The challenges faced by FAMSF are not unique, as other museums across the country have also reported financial constraints post-pandemic. Institutions like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum have also resorted to layoffs to address deficits exacerbated by a decline in tourist attendance. The recent struggles highlight the ongoing financial pressures faced by cultural institutions in the current climate.
