Hard times at other museums

February 20, 2009 at 10:00PM

HARD TIMES AT OTHER MUSEUMS

Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota, Duluth: Cut two exhibits and some publications and postponed a photo show; expects a 20 percent cut in staff hours and salary starting July 1.

Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: Dismissed two staff members and reduced education programs; is preparing for a cut of as much as 8 percent in its 2010 budget.

Milwaukee Art Museum: Cut hours and raised admission prices to $12 from $8.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles: Got a $30 million bailout from real estate tycoon Eli Broad after its endowment fell to $6 million from $40 million a decade ago. Director Jeremy Strick resigned; 32 jobs were eliminated (20 percent of staff); $4.4 million was cut from the budget, and a $75 million fundraising campaign was started.

Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass.: University trustees plan to close the museum and sell part of its 6,000-piece contemporary collection to cover losses in the school's $700 million endowment.

Austin Museum of Art, Texas: Shelved plans to build a $23 million downtown branch after a developer backed out of a deal.

Cincinnati Art Museum, Ohio: Suspended renovation and expansion plans and dismissed seven fundraising employees.

Denver Art Museum, Colorado: Cut its 2009 budget by 12 percent, or $2.5 million.

Akron Art Museum, Ohio: Cut hours, exhibits and staff to trim expenses by 13 percent.

MARY ABBE

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