ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Laumeier Sculpture Park, which focuses on contemporary art at its campus in south St. Louis County, said it has laid off seven staff members as funding has decreased, expenses increased and it shifts to prioritizing outdoor exhibitions.
"We are still feeling the pinch of the pandemic impacts, combined with many economic, social, and cultural shifts that have followed," the nonprofit's executive director, Lauren Ross, wrote in a letter Tuesday. "For several years now, fundraising has been unpredictable and difficult, with many historic sources of funding either shrinking or disappearing."
Ross wrote that although St. Louis County's parks department "continues to support us through our strong operational partnership," Laumeier would have smaller offerings and lay off staff. It views the cuts as "temporary measures," she said.
A spokeswoman said seven staff members — one full-time, five part-time and one seasonal — were laid off.
