Tate has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 7%, or around 40 staff members, as the renowned British arts institution addresses a financial deficit worsened by the pandemic.
This move reflects broader financial challenges faced by cultural institutions worldwide, including major European museums.
Tate, which oversees four galleries in England—Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives—will implement these cuts mainly through voluntary departures and hiring freezes. The decision is aimed at eliminating the deficit that many museums, including Tate, have faced since the pandemic.
A spokesperson for Tate explained the rationale behind the cuts in a statement to The Financial Times, stating that they are necessary to help “eliminate the deficit that many museums like Tate have borne since the pandemic.” The statement further emphasized that the changes would allow Tate to continue delivering “groundbreaking programmes, build and share our collection with the broadest possible public, and inspire future generations of creative talent.”
Tate is currently engaged in several major and costly projects, such as the expansion of Tate Liverpool and the restoration of the Palais de Danse at Tate St Ives, a Grade II-listed building once used by artist Barbara Hepworth as her studio. Approximately 30% of Tate’s income comes from government grants, highlighting the impact of financial pressures on the institution’s future.
