The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) recently announced it will be laying off 12 staff members “as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the long-term health and sustainability of our institution”. The organization oversees the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor.
A press statement from Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco published on July 18 said the decision to reduce staff came after “months of scenario planning, rigorous financial analysis, and extensive deliberation by the Museums’ executive leadership and trustees” and necessary for “long term financial stability”.
Campbell’s statement cited a “prolonged period of softening tourism” in San Francisco resulting in reduced attendance, with visitor numbers down nearly 20 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, which first reported the news on Saturday, the layoffs follow a March discussion to reduce FAMSF’s city-funded workforce by nearly a quarter after the mayor’s office issued a directive to cut general spending by 15 percent.
A plan called for the elimination of 23 city-funded jobs — primarily security positions — but it was not implemented, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The layoff announcement on July 18 “primarily affects FAMSF’s nonprofit side”.
The news at FAMSF also follows the layoff of 29 employees at the San Francisco Museum of Art in May, as well as the elimination of 13 additional positions.
