Read on Twitter
This will be a thread for tracking museum layoff news. Not interested in doom-posting, but this info seems imp to track so we can all see which staff are hit hardest, which leaders take pay cuts, who’s being transparent, etc.
Please send links / mute if you need. #museumlayoffs
Please send links / mute if you need. #museumlayoffs
2/ We’ll be sharing links to reporting on #museumlayoffs here. Folks are also tracking this info through a crowdsourced google spreadsheet (spreadsheets ftw!):
https://twitter.com/michellenmoon/status/1240992082484961280?s=21 https://twitter.com/MichelleNMoon/status/1240992082484961280
https://twitter.com/michellenmoon/status/1240992082484961280?s=21 https://twitter.com/MichelleNMoon/status/1240992082484961280
3/ @musoftolerance was one of the first announcements we saw on March 13: all pt tour guides and two ft ticket booth attendants. nb: some staff are unionized with @AFSCMECouncil36. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-03-13/coronavirus-museum-of-tolerance-rumor-closing
Other #museumlayoffs in LA: @MOCAlosangeles is laying off 97 pt workers, total staff is ~ 185. Staffers there also unionized @AFSCMECouncil36.
@hammer_museum laying off 150 pt student employees. Both museums say they want to rehire them later on... http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/museum-layoffs-begin-in-los-angeles-at-moca-and-hammer
@hammer_museum laying off 150 pt student employees. Both museums say they want to rehire them later on... http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/museum-layoffs-begin-in-los-angeles-at-moca-and-hammer
5/ In Pittsburgh, @CarnegieMembers announced furloughs of 550 staff (out of 1003 total). 75% are pt. Remaining staff get pay cuts 10-20% based on income. Senior staff pay cut 30%. @Pghglasscenter is reducing staff hours. https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/03/24/Arts-groups-furlough-employees-reduce-pay/stories/202003240087
6/ #Museumlayoffs in the Twin Cities:
@Sciencemuseummn is laying off 450 of about 500 staff, will pay medical benefits through April 30.
@MNChildMuseum is laying off about 120 of 150 staff, pay cuts for remaining staff. http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2020/march/twin-cities-museum-layoffs-now-surpass-600
@Sciencemuseummn is laying off 450 of about 500 staff, will pay medical benefits through April 30.
@MNChildMuseum is laying off about 120 of 150 staff, pay cuts for remaining staff. http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2020/march/twin-cities-museum-layoffs-now-surpass-600
7/ In New York: as we understand it,
@tenementmuseum laid off about 70 pt and 13 ft staff. Staff there are unionized @tenemuseunion with @UAW2110 and are organizing mutual aid funds for those laid off.
Any other mutual aid drives for #museumlayoffs?
https://twitter.com/tenemuseunion/status/1242494112366055424?s=21 https://twitter.com/tenemuseunion/status/1242494112366055424
@tenementmuseum laid off about 70 pt and 13 ft staff. Staff there are unionized @tenemuseunion with @UAW2110 and are organizing mutual aid funds for those laid off.
Any other mutual aid drives for #museumlayoffs?
https://twitter.com/tenemuseunion/status/1242494112366055424?s=21 https://twitter.com/tenemuseunion/status/1242494112366055424
8/ @MASS_MoCA in North Adams, MA is laying off 120 of 165 staff, effective April 11. Remaining staff pay cuts 18-28%.
The museum is paying health insurance for the eligible laid off, through July 31, funded with an emergency draw on the endowment. https://massmoca.org/37045-2/
The museum is paying health insurance for the eligible laid off, through July 31, funded with an emergency draw on the endowment. https://massmoca.org/37045-2/
9/ #Museumlayoffs at Chattanooga’s Creative Discovery Museum @cdmfun: 56 pt workers (more than half its staff). Last pay check April 3. Remaining staff get reduced hours, unspecified pay cut for director and senior staff. http://newschannel9.com/news/local/creative-discovery-museum-laying-off-all-56-part-time-staff-will-be-closed-indefinitely
10/ #Museumlayoffs @ClevelandArt: Not seeing numbers but all PT staff furloughed, some security staff laid off, all contractor work suspended. FT staff pay cut 11%-15% to “share the pain...to keep the team together...” So pt & security aren’t on the team? https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2020/03/cleveland-museum-of-art-announces-pay-cuts-furloughs-anticipating-5-million-revenue-loss-due-to-coronavirus-shutdown.html
11/ #museumlayoffs in Philly...we haven’t seen reporting yet, but an anon staffer says layoffs announced today @TheFranklin and include “55 full time employees and 154 part time employees. 67% overall staff reduction. 36% FT staff reduction.” Also hearing: https://twitter.com/tfi18464921/status/1243182574794674182?s=21 https://twitter.com/TFI18464921/status/1243182574794674182
12/ Seattle #museumlayoffs: The Pacific Science Center @PacSci has laid off around 300 staff of 350. According to reporting, staff were informed of the decision last Thursday, and paid through yesterday, Wednesday.
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pacific-science-center-lays-off-most-of-its-employees-amid-coronavirus-closures/
https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattles-pacific-science-center-lays-off-300-people-due-covid-19-outbreak/
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pacific-science-center-lays-off-most-of-its-employees-amid-coronavirus-closures/
https://www.geekwire.com/2020/seattles-pacific-science-center-lays-off-300-people-due-covid-19-outbreak/
12/ Ok so no #museumlayoffs at the @colonialwmsburg foundation? Reporting says staff at art museum, the historic area, etc will still receive pay and benefits during closure, w/ pay cuts for senior managers. Fdn hospitality staff to be furloughed in April. https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-colonial-williamsburg-20200325-oamd7kaasnh5hjsz6bmuq2vefu-story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true
13/ #Museumlayoffs are coming fast 
and far exceed what’s captured in this thread. As much as possible, we’re waiting for confirmed numbers and to be sure management has already informed all staff. For now, additional layoff data is available on this crowdsourced spreadsheet: https://twitter.com/MichelleNMoon/status/1240992082484961280
and far exceed what’s captured in this thread. As much as possible, we’re waiting for confirmed numbers and to be sure management has already informed all staff. For now, additional layoff data is available on this crowdsourced spreadsheet: https://twitter.com/MichelleNMoon/status/1240992082484961280
14/ @SFMOMA laying off 135 “on call” staff April 9. Says furloughing or reducing hours for ~200 “regular” staff May 1. Museum will pay health insurance for furloughed through June. 305 staff are union, one of the largest museum unions in US, with @OPEIU. https://www.kqed.org/arts/13877653/sfmoma-to-lay-off-or-furlough-over-300-museum-staff
15/ NYC: We’re hearing @brooklynhistory, recently joined with the @BKLYNlibrary, has laid off 7 ft and all pt staff #museumlayoffs
16/ North Carolina #museumlayoffs: Old Salem Museums and Gardens @OldSalemInc has laid off all 111 of its hourly employees. Keeping 23 salaried employees. Managers are taking voluntary pay cuts. Those laid off will be paid through April 15. https://www.journalnow.com/business/old-salem-lays-off-hourly-employees/article_27d04321-38a0-52dc-a97e-6f6759e0178e.html?fbclid=IwAR0EIu8IiNcrBo02ZramcjAHU_t4b-YpMXh_EFbjtFGdbLKFM1p4KA70BbY
17/ Dr. Julia Marciari-Alexander, director of @walters_museum, has committed to continuing to employ all staff. “We think it’s our duty as a civic institution not to contribute to the unemployment crisis.” Excellent interview here: http://www.maxwellanderson.com/artscoping/2020/3/24/episode-2-julia-marciari-alexander (h/t @TylerGreenBooks)
18/ #Museumlayoffs at @mysticseaport. Museum is closing indefinitely and laying off 199 employees, include 68 who are full-time. We’re wondering, is that the entire staff? https://www.courant.com/coronavirus/hc-news-coronavirus-mystic-seaport-museum-layoffs-20200330-6jvlk364sje53lfx6vsfif5dl4-story.html
19a/ from a reliable source: “On March 30, 2020, @MuseumModernArt terminated contracts for freelance educators in all depts (access/community, school, family, adult and groups+tours). Stated in the email: “We expect the Museum to remain closed to the public for the near future...
19b/“When it is safe & feasible to reopen the Museum, it will be months, if not years, before we anticipate returning to budget and ops levels to require educator services.” Educators to be paid for scheduled work thru March.” Just like that, a highly skilled workforce decimated.
20/ #Museumlayoffs at Children’s Museum of the Arts: the crowdsourced spreadsheet (ty @MichelleNMoon) is now quite extensive https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1acEaRssONaAlFjThEFybfhBBIb3OIuOne-NHsghOMxg/edit?usp=sharing. Reports @CMAinNYC laid off 50 pt, furloughed 11 ft & that the brand new staff union @cmaunion got healthcare for all furloughed 
21/ Back to Ohio, #museumlayoffs announced at @AkronArtMuseum as
49 ft getting a combo of furloughs, pay cuts, and reduced hours. All 36 pt employees getting furloughed. We heard from one staffer saying furlougheds are effectively laid off.
https://www.beaconjournal.com/entertainment/20200330/akron-art-museum-extends-closure-makes-job-cuts
49 ft getting a combo of furloughs, pay cuts, and reduced hours. All 36 pt employees getting furloughed. We heard from one staffer saying furlougheds are effectively laid off.
https://www.beaconjournal.com/entertainment/20200330/akron-art-museum-extends-closure-makes-job-cuts
22/ San Francisco’s @exploratorium #museumlayoffs: 100 student workers laid off. 150 on-call staffers effectively laid off. 250 other staffers getting pay cuts or furloughs. Pay cuts for senior leadership. https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/art-exhibits/at-exploratorium-layoffs-furloughs-to-affect-85-of-staff
23/ More #museumlayoffs in SF: The Museum of the African Diaspora @MoADsf, a @smithsonian affiliated museum, is laying off 7 staffers and reducing hours for the remaining 11 on staff. https://www.kqed.org/arts/13877907/layoffs-hit-museum-of-the-african-diaspora-in-san-francisco
24/ San Diego #museumlayoffs: the New Children’s Museum @iheartncm has furloughed over 50 staff, both union members and non-union, says the staff union @ncm_union. Pay cuts for remaining staff. The union’s organized a mutual aid fund drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ncmufund?teamInvite=N2ERzgVBx0StJt6So9AQca4H47rgInJpMkiILwZ7QUMwztw7nJ9U4yOcHD0e3AAU&utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2Bteaminviteemail
25/ In LA #museumlayoffs , the @AnnenbergSpace for Photography has laid off 7 of its 12 employees, as well as a temporary employee. Remaining staff getting reduced hours and pay cuts. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-04-01/coronavirus-closure-annenberg-photography-space-layoffs
26/ #Museumlayoffs in Illinois. The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn @cmoaklawn is laying off 13 of its 14 staff members. A donor is helping to pay the one remaining staffer who is part-time so that they can continue to run the museum’s social media. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-oak-lawn-lawn-childrens-museum-closed-st-0402-20200401-a3vdvkqxfvgzxcnytk6iabum7m-story.html
27/ Ok wow, no #museumlayoffs at @philamuseum, at least until end of June. Staff size: 475. Instead, pay cuts for anyone making over 30k. Most cuts around 20%, executives’ cuts 60%. This is big and no doubt responds to the crises there predating Covid. https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-museum-of-art-coronavirus-layoffs-salary-cuts-20200402.html
28/ In Michigan #museumlayoffs, the @thehenryford announces “temporary unpaid leave” (furloughs?) for 80% of staff, affecting 1400 people. Remaining staff get pay cuts 10-25%. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2020/04/02/henry-ford-museum-dearborn-lay-off-workers-cut-pay/5119111002/
29/ The @whitneymuseum announces #museumlayoffs. 76 employees laid off, mostly visitor services staff. Health insurance continued through June 30. Unspecified pay cuts for senior staff. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/whitney-museum-layoffs-coronavirus-1202683104/
30/ Read short overview for @mfaboston where 340 staff members (around half total staff?) will be furloughed, timeline thru June 30 for now, may change. Flghd staff will get unemployment to “maintain at or near current income” + director taking 30% paycut https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/03/arts/museum-fine-arts-will-remain-closed-furlough-staffers-through-june-30/
31/ @COSI in Columbus, Ohio, to “temp layoff” 98 of COSI's full-time team members, and all of its 125 part-time and temporary team members—affecting 80% of workforce. Museum will continue to cover health benefits thru June 30 #museumlayoffs https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/cosi-announces-temporary-layoff-for-more-than-80-of-its-overall-workforce
32/ And now reporting on the #museumlayoffs at New York’s @newmuseum: 7 laid off & 41 furloughed out of the staff of 150. Furlougheds’ health insurance continued thorough June 30. Senior staff taking pay cuts of 10-20%, director pay cut of 30%. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/whitney-new-museum-lay-off-staff-1824993
33/ #Museumlayoffs at Cleveland’s @rockhall: furloughs for 107 ft & pt employees, 20% pay cuts for many of the remaining staff. Health insurance will continue for the ft who are furloughed. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/04/rock-hall-announces-furloughs-pay-cuts-to-trim-red-ink-caused-by-coronavirus-pandemic-shutdown.html
34/ The Milwaukee Public Museum @MKEPublicMuseum announces furloughs affecting 104 staff. Total staff looks to be around 130. Leadership taking unspecified pay cuts. Staff are unionized @AFSCME @afscme32 since 1964. https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2020/03/30/milwaukee-public-museum-furloughs-employees-and.html
35/ In Tennessee, the @MemphisBrooks Art Museum has announced furloughs for 29 ft and pt staff. Not furloughed are administrators and security. Museum remains “committed as ever” to $110m building project. https://dailymemphian.com/section/arts-culturevisual-arts/article/12746/brooks-museum-places-29-on-temporary-furlough
