Major staffing cuts coming to Vancouver Art Gallery, union says

The Vancouver Art Gallery is cutting back on costs by laying off dozens of staff members.

The Vancouver Art Gallery will be reducing its workforce by at least 30 people, according to the union that represents around 90 gallery employees.

Warren Williams, the president of CUPE Local 15, said the union confirmed the gallery’s plans Monday.

Williams said he’s both “concerned” and “a bit surprised” by the decision.

“I mean, I wasn’t expecting it,” he told CTV News. “I know that the art gallery has had some financial difficulties for the last several years.”

Williams said he was told around 30 CUPE members would be part of the latest job cuts, and that union staff were at the gallery Tuesday meeting with employees.

The Vancouver Art Gallery wouldn’t confirm the number of cuts that are coming.

In an email, the gallery said it has “begun the difficult but necessary process of reducing its operating budget to ensure long-term sustainability.”

“Staff have been informed that reductions will take place across all areas of the gallery, including staffing. These are hard decisions, but they are being made with care and a continued commitment to our public mission,” the email added.

According to the Vancouver Art Gallery’s 2024 report, it has 136 full-time staff.

The planned cuts are the latest in a series of unfortunate development for the institution.

Last summer, construction was halted on the gallery’s new home at Cambie and West Georgia streets, with officials revealing the building costs had ballooned from $400 million to $600 million.

In December, CTV News learned the board decided to shelve plans for a nine-level tower made of wood and glass, instead voting to start from scratch and look for a new design altogether.