Vancouver Art Gallery Cuts 30 Union Jobs Following Major Building Project Cancellation

The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) laid off approximately 30 unionized employees last week in a move described by the institution as a “difficult but necessary” step to reduce operating costs and secure its long-term future. The cuts affect about 20 percent of the 150 union staff represented by CUPE 15, which also covers several local organizations in Vancouver.

Union president Warren Williams expressed deep disappointment over the decision, revealing that voluntary severance packages were offered while negotiations continue over severance terms, benefits, and career support for affected workers.

This development follows the abrupt cancellation of VAG’s ambitious C$600 million new building project, originally designed by Herzog & de Meuron, after escalating costs pushed the budget beyond initial estimates. The gallery had already invested C$60 million in the now-shelved plan.

The layoffs raise fresh doubts about the timeline and scope of VAG’s future plans. The gallery had announced earlier this year it would seek a more modest alternative, inviting Canadian firms to submit designs for a new home.

Citywide budget cuts and hiring freezes add to the uncertainty, as municipal funding remains a key pillar for the institution.

Staff and supporters alike are left questioning how VAG will balance financial survival with its cultural mission amid such turbulence — and what this means for Vancouver’s art scene moving forward.

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