Vancouver Art Gallery Cuts Staff and Exhibits by 30% to Balance Budget

The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is making significant cuts to its operations, reducing staff and programming by about 30% in an effort to address a growing financial shortfall.

Interim co-CEO Eva Respini said the gallery had 129 employees prior to the cuts. In recent weeks, 16 staff accepted voluntary buyouts and another 18 were laid off, with more job losses possible due to union seniority rules.

"This is an incredibly difficult moment," said Respini. "It's quite literally every department in the museum that has been affected."

The gallery will also scale back its annual exhibitions from 12 to eight, with shows running for longer periods. One floor will now focus on showcasing art from the VAG’s permanent collection rather than hosting travelling exhibits.

Upcoming shows include a major Emily Carr retrospective, drawing on the gallery’s collection of more than 250 of her works, and a display of Indigenous art from the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re leaning into local stories,” Respini said. “That’s what this upcoming year is about.”

Cultural Sector Under Pressure

VAG board chair Jon Stovell says financial pressure is not unique to Vancouver. Across North America and Europe, museums are facing the same challenges — less donor and government funding, rising costs, and reduced post-pandemic attendance.

In its most recent fiscal year, the VAG operated on a $22-million budget. For the current year, the gallery is targeting a $16-million balanced budget after the cuts.

The provincial government provided the VAG with nearly $2 million in operational assistance from 2022 to 2025, as well as $1.58 million in temporary COVID-19 relief funding in 2022 and 2023.

New Gallery Still Moving Ahead

Despite operational struggles, plans are still in motion for the VAG’s long-awaited new gallery at Cambie and Georgia streets.

While the original design was scrapped last year due to soaring costs (approaching $600 million), Stovell says a new architect is being selected from a pool of Canadian firms, with an announcement expected in the fall.

He acknowledged it may seem "dissonant" to pursue a new building amid layoffs but said it remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Respini admits that the drawn-out nature of the capital project — now over 15 years — may be diverting donor interest away from operational funding. However, Stovell believes the capital campaign still inspires confidence.

“Many donors are specifically interested in capital projects,” he said. “It would be harder to raise money for operations if people didn’t see the future.”