“The Metropolitan Museum of Art said on Monday that it had completed a significant round of layoffs and voluntary retirements that it had warned in March would probably be necessary to contend with deep losses in its endowment. Over the last few weeks, the museum laid off 74 employees and gave retirement packages to 95 others who chose to accept them, it said.” The departures included some curatorial staff.
Tag: 06.23.09
NY Cultural Institutions Try To Delay Deaccessioning Bill
“More than a dozen major cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art, are trying to put the brakes on a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature in March to regulate the deaccessioning of collections, a controversial practice that has drawn attention as more institutions consider selling off artworks and artifacts in response to economic pressures.”
In Elgin Marbles Dispute, Greeks Need To Change Course
“Far be it from me to advise Greek ministers. Nevertheless, they are getting their tactics wrong over the interminable saga of the Elgin Marbles. … No argument goes on for this long — it has been simmering for around 200 years now — without both sides having a certain amount of justice in their cause. Let’s grant the Greeks that. The weak point of their case, though, is that it’s based on old-fashioned nationalism.”