We echo the sentiments of many in our community, deeply concerned about the museum's shocking proposed plan to lay off 50% of its Visitor Experience team. These workers are the heart of our institution. Their daily service is instrumental in creating the unique, enriching experience that the museum is renowned for, and dismantling half of this team will be a disservice not only to them but to every visitor and the community at large. 

Nationwide, museums support more than 726,000 jobs, contributing a staggering $50 Billion per annum to the US economy (source: American Alliance of Museums). Yet, this decision threatens to add to the growing list of displaced workers in a time of great economic uncertainty, while significantly harming the quality of service and education that the museum provides.

This devastating decision will leave many workers, already struggling to get by, scrambling or unable to pay the cost of living. Amidst workers already facing houselessness and uncertainty; this decision by museum administration is incomprehensible. 

Buffalo AKG Art Museum is a non-profit organization that per their website, "Continues to focus on forging new relationships and strengthening existing ones with community members and organizations. We are actively listening to our community and taking their feedback into account when creating and fine-tuning our programming." We urge the administration to reconsider the proposed layoffs, and instead, find alternative solutions that would protect the livelihoods of these indispensable employees (who were given 30 days notice of their termination) while also ensuring the museum's mission remains uncompromised. We urge the community to voice their support.

We encourage members of the museum and those in our community to speak up and amplify the workers voices. Please stand with us and sign the petition to retain the Visitor Experience Team at our beloved museum. Together, we can make a change.