Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts does not expect to be able to reopen before July due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus and is considering layoffs and other “significant cost containment measures,” according to statements from the institution yesterday. “There will be painful choices with financial consequences for all of us,” Director Matthew Teitelbaum wrote in an email to MFA employees yesterday afternoon. (Read the full email at the bottom of this article.)
Messages from Teitelbaum paint a dire picture for the museum since it announced on March 12 that it would close at 6 that evening and remain closed for up to 30 days. Though “no definitive decisions have been made and we’re continuing to study different scenarios,” MFA Spokesperon Karen Frascona tells me in an email, so “we won’t have details to provide until next week.”
The Museum of Fine Arts’ thinking echoes planning happening at museums across the country. MASS MoCA in North Adams announced yesterday “that in response to business interruptions caused by COVID-19 and related government mandates, it will lay off 120 of its 165 employees, effective April 11.” New York’s “Metropolitan Museum of Art is projecting a total shortfall of close to $100 million for the near future and expects to be closed until July, according to a letter the museum sent to its department heads,” The New York Times reported on March 18.
MFA Director Matthew Teitelbaum explained in a prepared public statement yesterday: “With no downturn in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country or in Massachusetts in sight, we do not expect the museum to be able to open its doors to the public before July 1, 2020. Due to the uncertainty, we have cancelled all public programs through August.”
“Please know that we are taking these actions to create a strong sustainable MFA for our future… for our staff, our public, and our many advocates,” Teitelbaum said in a message emailed to staff Wednesday afternoon.
The museum’s plan through April 11 is to continue to pay all staff for their for their regularly scheduled hours and develop new exhibitions, programming, and learning content online.
MFA leaders currently expect that they may not be able to reopen the institution to the public before July 1, 2020. In that “Planning Scenario II,” exhibitions would be postponed, scaled back or deferred and public programs would be suspended until the fall, “likely restarting at a slower pace in mid-September.”
“We have modeled the costs associated with a closed MFA with virtually no sources of earned revenue over this time period, and notably reduced philanthropy,” Teitelbaum said of this scenario in the email. “Significant cost containment measures must be taken in the next few weeks to reduce operational costs while closed. We will consider everything, including reviewing departmental operating budgets for the remainder of FY20 and for FY21, staffing levels during closure and beyond, as well as building operation needs. Our guiding principles must balance long-term institutional sustainability, with what we can offer all of you, our valued and dedicated employees. Make no mistake; there will be painful choices with financial consequences for all of us.”
The museum’s “Planning Scenario III” says that if the museum must remain closed beyond July 1, 2020, “there may be additional necessary measures. It is too early to know what these are.”
Teitelbaum wrote in the email: “The impact of this health crisis will have long-term consequences for museums for years to come. We expect people to be cautious for quite some time about gathering indoors with others even when the crisis has passed. It is expected that tourism and travel will be slow to return. Financial markets and endowments have been affected, impacting philanthropy and endowment income. With these new realities, there is a great imperative for us to plan purposefully for the future. Our entire community needs us to do so.”
If this is the kind of coverage of arts, cultures and activisms you appreciate, please support Wonderland by contributing to Wonderland on Patreon. And sign up for our free, weekly newsletter so that you don’t miss any of our reporting.
Public Statement from Museum of Fine Arts Director Matthew Teitelbaum, March 25, 2020:
“These are intense and unprecedented times, made more so by daily news of the increasing disruption being seen throughout our communities. We are already feeling the vast effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on our friends, family and colleagues in Boston and around the world—changing how we work, live, and socialize.
“As an institution that has been at the heart of our community for 150 years, we are committed to taking decisive action in order to create a strong, sustainable MFA for our future—for our staff and volunteers, our many publics, and our supporters near and far.
“Since closing on March 12, we have been planning for the months ahead by modeling a number of financial and operational scenarios. We do not yet know when we will reopen and are working with the City of Boston, state officials, and monitoring federal directives to respond appropriately. However, with no downturn in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country or in Massachusetts in sight, we do not expect the Museum to be able to open its doors to the public before July 1, 2020. Due to the uncertainty, we have cancelled all public programs through August.
“As a private institution, the MFA receives very little government funding and has traditionally relied on the generosity of donors to build the collection, fund renovations and gallery updates, create endowments and contribute to operations. With the Museum closed, however, the MFA is also without its usual audience-driven revenue (admission sales, restaurant activity, parking and shop purchases). We count on this revenue, so the closure creates significant financial stress. We are considering everything, including staffing levels, exhibition schedules and public programming, and expect to be in a position to announce decisions in the coming weeks.
Email from Museum of Fine Arts Director Matthew Teitelbaum to MFA Staff, March 25, 2020:
From: Matthew Titelbaum
To: Everyone – All Locations
Subject: MFA Closure Update
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this finds you in good health, focused on caring for your loved ones, and finding solace in ways that give you comfort.
These are intense and unprecedented times, made more so with the daily news of increasing impact of the virus on people and systems in our region. We have already begun to see the vast impact this crisis is having on our friends and family… how we work, live, and socialize has been profoundly impacted.
I want to share directions and next steps, but before I do, I want to acknowledge the anxiety and concern that uncertain times impose on all of you. It is difficult to plan, and to take ownership of action when so much is happening to you. I know that you have taken on new responsibilities in your day-to-day lives. I acknowledge that, honor your resolve, and recognize the obligations others have placed on you. I say this to you as a colleague.
In the past 13 days, we have made many decisions: practical, professional, ethical, and personal. On March 12, when we made the announcement to close the MFA, we made a commitment to communicate with you often, to provide information and updates. I do so again now.
Last week, the first week of closure, saw us focusing on internal systems, adjusting to working from home, and establishing essential communications links. We have had many conversations with so many of you, as well as Trustees, members, supporters, government officials, and networks of colleagues to understand and respond to issues and questions.
As we go through the second week of closure, it is important to let you know how we are planning for the weeks and months ahead. Earlier today, we shared with Department Heads three planning scenarios that are outlined below. I acknowledge that this news may be challenging to read and distressing to contemplate, and that you will have many questions. Please understand that we are basing these steps on available information at this time. Changes in circumstances must shift our actions or timeline, as required. Please know that we are taking these actions to create a strong sustainable MFA for our future… for our staff, our public, and our many advocates.
Planning Scenario I – March 12 to April 11, 2020
During the initial 30-day closure, all staff (full-time, part-time, temporary, term, interns, and union members) will be paid for their regularly scheduled hours. We have begun to work on establishing new exhibition, programming, and learning content on-line – in short term, medium term, and long term increments. You will hear more about this from your Department Head or Leadership Team member.
Planning Scenario II – April 12 to June 30, 2020
With no downturn in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country or in Massachusetts in sight, we now expect that the Museum cannot open before July 1, 2020. We are working to adjust our exhibitions calendar to postpone, scale back, or defer scheduled projects. As well, we have taken the further ethical action to suspend all programming involving group assembly (learning, lectures, courses, and film) and all special events until the fall, likely restarting at a slower pace in mid-September.
We have modeled the costs associated with a closed MFA with virtually no sources of earned revenue over this time period, and notably reduced philanthropy. Significant cost containment measures must be taken in the next few weeks to reduce operational costs while closed. We will consider everything, including reviewing departmental operating budgets for the remainder of FY20 and for FY21, staffing levels during closure and beyond, as well as building operation needs. Our guiding principles must balance long-term institutional sustainability, with what we can offer all of you, our valued and dedicated employees. Make no mistake; there will be painful choices with financial consequences for all of us.
Planning Scenario III – July 1 to September 15, 2020
In the event that we are closed beyond July 1, 2020 (and we are using September 15 as a date for this alternative planning), there may be additional necessary measures. It is too early to know what these are, but we are working with the City of Boston, state officials, and monitoring federal directives to respond appropriately.
The impact of this health crisis will have long-term consequences for museums for years to come. We expect people to be cautious for quite some time about gathering indoors with others even when the crisis has passed. It is expected that tourism and travel will be slow to return. Financial markets and endowments have been affected, impacting philanthropy and endowment income. With these new realities, there is a great imperative for us to plan purposefully for the future. Our entire community needs us to do so.
We have an extraordinary collection, and staff who are committed to excellence in its care and presentation. We have strong supporters in our community who will want to help. And we have an exceptional Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors who are helping us navigate our way to the other side of this crisis. Together we will stay strong, make the difficult decisions we must, and emerge to be the best Museum we can be in the future. And, like museums across America and around the world, we will be a different institution but no less committed to our mission and our strategic plan promise. We must emerge from this crisis a more resilient MFA committed to excellence in everything we do.
There will be more information shared later next week. Please direct your questions to your Department Head or Leadership Team member. As well, the covid19info@mfa.org email address can be used to share comments or questions. We will do our best to respond in a timely way.
Please continue to stay safe, healthy and care for yourselves.
With deep appreciation for your continued belief in the MFA,
Matthew
If this is the kind of coverage of arts, cultures and activisms you appreciate, please support Wonderland by contributing to Wonderland on Patreon. And sign up for our free, weekly newsletter so that you don’t miss any of our reporting.