130+ Fotografiska Jobs To Be Axed Upon Museum’s Closing

NEW YORK CITY — Scores of employees at the Swedish photography museum Fotografiska will be laid off later this year amid the museum’s impending closure, according to documents obtained by Patch.

According to a WARN notice provided by the New York State Department of Labor, 137 Fotografiska employees, or more than 70 percent of its total workforce, will be laid off between August and December 2024.

The museum, which is shutting down its current location for “economic reasons” per the notice, will see its final day on Sept. 29. However, due to “reduced staffing” related to the closure, impacts may come well before the fall closing date as the museum may not be able to guarantee requested tour dates and times, according to an update posted to its website.

Two new exhibitions will be on display as Fotografiska closes its curtains on Park Avenue: Unseen Work by Vivian Maier (May 31 to September 29) and Why These? by Bruce Gilden (June 21 to September 29).

“I am immensely proud of what we accomplished with Fotografiska in just five years, cementing our role as part of the New York arts landscape through unique exhibitions and dynamic programming,” Fotografiska New York Executive Director Sophie Wright said in a statement.

“I have tremendous respect for our staff, some of whom have been with us since opening, and offer my sincerest gratitude for their dedication and talent that contributed to our successes. I look forward to sharing updates for our upcoming programming.”

The museum’s adjacent Chapel Bar and Veronica Restaurant, the latter of which was recently named New York’s most beautiful restaurant, will close in June.

Get tickets for the museum now through Sept. 29 here.