ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Met Museum Lays Off 81 Staff, Executives Take Pay Cuts

institutional · 2026-04-24

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has laid off 81 employees, primarily in customer service and retail, following a revised budget shortfall of $150 million. President Daniel H. Weiss and director Max Hollein will take 20% salary cuts, while other executives face 10% cuts. The museum closed all three locations in March due to COVID-19 regulations and now expects to reopen in July, after canceling its 150th anniversary celebrations originally planned for June.

Key facts

  • 81 employees laid off at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Most layoffs are in customer service and retail positions
  • President Daniel H. Weiss and director Max Hollein taking 20% salary cuts
  • Other executive staff taking 10% salary cuts
  • Revised budget shortfall of $150 million
  • Museum closed all three locations in March due to COVID-19
  • Expected reopening in July
  • 150th anniversary celebrations in June canceled

Entities

Institutions

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States

Sources