The highest leadership at Guggenheim will not receive wage cuts, according to a spokesman for the Tina Vaz. The cuts are divided into six sections, including progress, education, publications and files, but do not affect curators and top executives. In addition, Museum’s leader Naomi Beckwith, who organizes two major exhibitions in Europe for external institutions, will continue in her role (and finishes work at a large solo exhibition for artist Rashid Johnson, a former Museum Manager who opens Guggenheim).
The redundancies were the last sign that the New York Museum sector suffered from the increase in general expenses and the lower participation of the Covid pandemic. Earlier this month, the Brooklyn Museum said it was facing a predicted $ 10 million deficit, planning to cut 40 employees and would make fewer reports. On Friday, the New York Council heard to evaluate the possible impact of budget cuts on city services, including cultural institutions.
Guggenheim’s officials refused to explain what was the planned deficit of the museum or how much Westermann was paid as Director and Managing Director, saying they will be released later this year. The Museum’s operating budget in 2023, the latest tax deposit, was $ 72.5 million and donation was $ 124.6 million. (Wages account for about 60 % of the budget.) For each of the previous four years, Richard Armstrong, the manager by 2023, had total compensation packages, including retirement income and deferred compensation, which exceeded $ 1 million.
This will be the third round of layoffs in five years at Guggenheim. Two waves of previous cuts have led to more than 30 employees to lose their jobs, including two deputy directors.
Perhaps more than anything else, Guggenheim was based on international tourism, which has been significantly reduced by the pandemic. He also expects the promises of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, his outpost in the United Arab Emirates, who have suffered conflicts and delays. The Museum has not yet announced a start date for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is under construction.
