The Taubman Museum of Art laid off four staff members Aug. 20, reducing the museum's overall employee complement to 17. It marks the fourth round of layoffs at the museum since it opened in late 2008.
 
Museum officials confirmed the layoff today, attributing the job eliminations to the need to trim the institution's operating budget.

"The Board of Trustees is deeply disappointed that valued employees were let go, but made the decision to eliminate their positions in order to meet the objective of a realistic and affordable budget that can be sustained while the challenging economy continues," said museum executive director David Mickenberg in a statement. "The tough economic climate requires tough choices in the short term to sustain the museum’s vital and vibrant future as one of the region’s most important cultural assets.
 
"There should be few visible signs of the reduction in staff as all exhibitions and educational programs will proceed as planned," Mickenberg said.
 
Since the $66 million art museum opened in downtown Roanoke in November 2008, the institution has struggled financially. The museum underwent two rounds of layoffs in 2009, and a third in February. Mickenberg, who was hired in September, has been working to craft a $3 million annual budget. According to its most recent audit and tax forms, the museum reported $6.8 million in expenses during its first year of operation.
 
Museum officials declined to identify which employees were let go.
 
"We hope that the community understands that we are doing all we can to work hard, smart and efficiently to maximize every dollar of revenue that we receive, and that we are tremendously grateful for the generosity of the many thousands of people whose support will enable us to get through these difficult times," Mickenberg said.