San Francisco's Fine Arts Museums Reduce Workforce by 12 Employees
In a recent announcement, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) revealed plans to reduce their workforce by 12 staff members, representing approximately 5% of their total workforce. This decision comes after months of financial planning and budget tightening to address a projected budget gap and ensure the institution's long-term sustainability.
The reduction in staff is primarily due to a nearly 20% decline in attendance compared to pre-pandemic visitor levels. With visitor numbers dropping from over 1.5 million in 2018 to about 1.2 million in the 2024 fiscal year, the museums have been grappling with the prolonged softening of tourism in San Francisco and shifting post-pandemic visitor behaviors.
Despite efforts to offset losses through exemplary programming, aggressive fundraising, free admission days, and family programs, these measures have proven insufficient to close the financial gap. The layoffs follow internal cost-saving measures and a directive from San Francisco’s mayor’s office to cut general fund spending by 15%.
Thomas P. Campbell, the Director and CEO of FAMSF, stated in a press release on July 18 that the layoffs were necessary for the long-term financial stability of the institution. He cited a prolonged period of softening tourism in San Francisco as a key factor in the financial challenges faced by FAMSF.
This staff reduction at FAMSF is part of a broader trend of job losses in San Francisco's cultural institutions. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has also laid off 29 staff members due to a $5 million structural deficit and lower post-pandemic attendance. Other museums across North America facing similar challenges and layoffs include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and Vancouver Art Gallery.
The announcement at FAMSF does not specify which departments or roles will be affected. However, it is important to note that the layoff primarily affects FAMSF's nonprofit side. The plan called for the elimination of 23 city-funded jobs at FAMSF, primarily security positions, but it was not implemented.
This news at FAMSF follows the layoff of 29 employees at the San Francisco Museum of Art in May. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco oversees the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor. As arts institutions across the globe continue to grapple with the impact of the pandemic and shifting audience behaviors, it is clear that these challenging times require difficult decisions to safeguard the long-term health and sustainability of these institutions.
References: 1. San Francisco Chronicle 2. The Art Newspaper 3. KQED 4. San Francisco Examiner
- The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) is planning a retrospective biennale, showcasing fine art from numerous artists, due to the financial challenges they are currently facing.
- In addition to the museum sector, the general-news sector is reporting on the ongoing financial struggles of many businesses, including the art world, as a result of the pandemic.
- The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), like FAMSF, has been forced to cut its workforce by 29 staff members, owing to a decline in attendance and a structural deficit.
- The layoffs at FAMSF and SFMOMA are part of a broader trend of job losses in San Francisco's cultural institutions, similar to those in other North American cities.
- The news of staff reductions at FAMSF, as well as the impact of the pandemic on the art world, has been covered by various publications, such as The Art Newspaper, KQED, and San Francisco Chronicle.