Metropolitan Museum cuts 34 jobs

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Financial restructuring at the Met sees 34 employees laid off | As part of its programme of cost-cutting, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has laid off 34 employees, a number that represents around 1.5 per cent of its workforce – but none of its curators or conservators. The job losses come as the museum seeks to reduce its deficit by $30 million, according to the New York Times. Earlier this year, more than 50 employees took voluntary buyouts. ‘These are difficult decisions’, said Met president Daniel H. Weiss. ‘[…] But we’re making very good progress on the process we put in motion.’

Portuguese government decides to keep Miró works in Porto | Following widespread opposition to plans to sell 85 works by Joan Miró at auction, Portugal’s government has made a decision to keep them in the country, reports the Guardian. The paintings came under state ownership after Portugal nationalised the failing BNP bank and consequently took over its collection of surrealist art. The works were put up for auction in London in 2014, but withdrawn after opponents threatened legal action. The government has stated that the Miró works will remain in the city of Porto, but it is unclear whether they will remain in state ownership or be sold to private buyers with the caveat that they remain in situ.

Catherine Pégard to stay on as director at Versailles | After a period of uncertainty, the French government has decided to grant Catherine Pégard a further three-year term as director of the Château de Versailles, reports Le Monde. (French language article.) Pégard was first appointed to the role in 2011 by the Sarkozy administration.

Durham University and Auckland Castle team up to create £1.6 million research centre for Spanish art | Durham University and the Auckland Castle Trust have announced the creation of the Zurbarán Centre, a joint research centre for the study of Spanish and Latin American art. Funded in part by a donation from Santander, the centre will attempt to link Auckland Castle’s magnificent collection of works to the wider art history of Spain and South America.

Tino Sehgal wins 2016 Hans Molfenter Prize | The Kunstmuseum Stuttgart foundation has awarded this year’s Hans Molfenter Prize to Tino Sehgal, who was cited for his survey at Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum last year. The artist will receive $18,000 and be tasked with creating a project in the Stuttgart area.