The Royal Academy of Arts in London plans to eliminate 60 positions, roughly 18% of its workforce, due to financial pressures caused by rising costs and decreased visitor numbers. Consultations are ongoing, with the IWGB union opposing the cuts. The interim Chief Executive emphasizes the necessity of these measures for the RA’s future stability amidst a broader crisis in the cultural sector.
The Royal Academy of Arts in London plans to cut approximately 60 roles, representing 18% of its workforce, to address financial challenges. A spokesperson stated that no final decisions have been made as consultations are ongoing. Of the positions at risk, nearly half are unfilled roles, potentially limiting job losses to around 30 employees.
The RA is facing financial strain due to rising costs and shifts in visitor behaviour, which affected its income from ticket sales and other sources. The Academy’s visitor numbers have yet to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels, with attendance dropping to around 622,000 last year from 1.25 million pre-COVID.
Recent financial reports indicate the RA anticipates a net loss of £7.1 million in the upcoming budgetary year, predicting a prolonged struggle to restore income levels. Without measures like these layoffs, the institution risks breaching its credit facilities by 2026, requiring significant withdrawals from other trust funds.
The IWGB union expressed serious concern over these redundancies, calling them a result of poor management. They demand management halt the process and seek alternatives, warning that employees may take action to defend their jobs.
Interim Chief Executive Natasha Mitchell acknowledged the severe financial challenges facing the RA and stressed the necessity of the proposed workforce reductions. She pledged support for affected employees, recognising the difficulty of the situation while asserting the importance of these measures for the RA’s future viability.
This development reflects broader difficulties for UK cultural institutions, impacted by years of funding cuts, the pandemic, Brexit, and economic challenges like the cost-of-living crisis.
The Royal Academy of Arts is facing significant financial difficulties, leading to plans to reduce its workforce by 18%. While consultations are ongoing, the situation highlights the impact of changed visitor patterns and a lack of government funding. Unions are protesting the redundancies, urging management to consider alternative measures, pointing to a troubling trend within UK cultural institutions.
Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com