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Friday, October 28, 2016

The Met Lays Off 34 Employees


By JIM PURCELL

According to a recent report by New York Times, written by staffer Robin Pogrebin, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art has laid off 34 employees.

The move was reported to have occurred because the museum is attempting to curb its deficit by $30 million. The report noted that the number of people actually laid off is less than what was otherwise anticipated by the museum, and represents only 1.5 percent of the museum's 2,200-person staff.

"Our goal was to meet the budget objectives that we have without in any way diminishing the core mission we have at the museum," said Daniel H. Weiss, the Met's chief operating officer.

In brighter news for the Met, recently the museum's retail operation has been making strong advances after rebounding from a $3.5-million loss last year. The Met has reportedly been dealing with a ballooning deficit while it is attempting to raise funds for a new, $600-million wing. The new wing would reportedly be dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

Previously, the Met had been prepared to cut curatorial and conservation positions, as well as marketing, human resources and IT personnel by about 100 employees.

Sadly, the museum is expected to reduce the total number of annual exhibitions it hosts over the next few years, by about 55 exhibitions.

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