The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has cut 29 positions, nearly 8 percent of its workforce, with 26 of those affected being members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 29. The layoffs, which include 20 full-time and 9 part-time roles, were announced abruptly with less than a day's warning, drawing criticism from union officials who say they were not given a chance to discuss alternatives or negotiate severance. Museum director Christopher Bedford stated the cuts were necessary due to financial challenges, and that enhanced severance packages were provided to union members. The affected staff reportedly hold public-facing or visitor service roles, and it remains unclear if curatorial or senior-level positions were included.
This matters because it highlights ongoing tensions between museum administration and labor unions amid post-pandemic financial recovery. SFMOMA had already cut 20 positions in November 2023 due to declining attendance, and reported a $3.6 million operating deficit in fiscal year 2024. The layoffs also come as the museum, along with other West Coast institutions, lost key federal funding from White House cuts to humanities grants. The situation reflects broader challenges facing major museums: balancing operational budgets, maintaining workforce morale, and navigating labor relations while recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.