San Diego Museum of Art cuts 11 jobs amid funding crisis

On August 5, the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) terminated the employment of 11 staff members, including guards and registrars, with at least two having dedicated over 14 years to the institution. COO Kari Kovach explained that the board's decision stemmed from a decline in federal grants, budget reductions, and rising expenses. The museum had received a $25,000 federal grant in 2025, but has not obtained any since then. In the same year, director Roxana Velásquez's salary was $488,436, which constituted 7.3% of the museum's expenses. These layoffs come as cultural institutions face financial challenges, exacerbated by Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed $11.8 million cuts to city arts funding, although $10 million was later restored. Attendance dropped by 34% in early 2026, resulting in a $5 million decrease in revenue.