Brooklyn Museum Jobs Preserved Following City Intervention

The Brooklyn Museum, a cultural landmark renowned for its diverse art collections and community engagement, recently faced a significant financial challenge. Announced earlier this year, the institution planned to lay off over 10% of its workforce due to a $10 million budget shortfall. This decision drew immediate backlash from unions and community supporters, sparking rallies and intense discussions with city leaders.

Fortunately, in a recent development, the museum has secured a $2.5 million lifeline from the New York City Council as part of the 2026 fiscal year’s budget. This funding averts the impending layoffs and allows the museum to maintain its current staffing levels. The allocation came through Speaker Adrienne E. Adams’s Initiative to Address Citywide Needs, providing a temporary respite while the institution works on developing a sustainable financial plan.

Both the DC 37 Local 1502 and UAW Local 2110 unions played crucial roles in advocating for this funding, highlighting the importance of their collective efforts. While this windfall prevents further cuts, it does not reverse the layoffs that have already occurred nor rehired those who took voluntary buyouts. Museum Director Anne Pasternak has emphasized the necessity for fiscal discipline moving forward, as rising expenses and inflation continue to pose challenges.

The museum’s situation underscores the larger ongoing financial struggles within the cultural sector, impacting institutions like the Guggenheim Museum, which has also announced layoffs. Nevertheless, the Brooklyn Museum’s ability to secure these critical funds is a testament to the power of community advocacy and union solidarity. It ensures the continuation of the museum’s vital work and its contributions to cultural and artistic discourse. While relief is welcomed, the museum acknowledges the bittersweet reality that some of their colleagues will remain absent due to previous cutbacks.