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12h ago

California Academy of Sciences to Cut 53 Jobs, Scale Back Programs to Close Budget Gap

The move underscores a structural budget gap caused by rising costs alongside weaker post-pandemic attendance.

Visitors are seen outside the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. 
Images from the Osher Rainforest infrastructure maintenance in the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. California Academy of Sciences will lay off 53 workers and cut programs as rising costs, declining tourism and weaker philanthropy deepen deficits.
California Academy of Sciences will lay off 53 workers and cut programs as rising costs, declining tourism and weaker philanthropy deepen deficits.
Visitors explore the living dome exhibit inside the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. 

Overview

  • California Academy of Sciences, which announced the cuts Tuesday, will eliminate 53 positions that account for 9.3% of its staff.
  • Another 32 employees will be reassigned or see reduced hours, affecting about 5.6% of the workforce.
  • The academy reported a $7.3 million deficit for fiscal 2025 and projects losses of up to $8 million this year.
  • Program changes include ending production of new planetarium shows due to high costs not covered by attendance, and leaders say most visitor experiences will remain with some possible hour cuts.
  • Leaders cite expenses outpacing revenue, with salaries and benefits at about 70% of the budget and heavy costs to care for 60,000 live animals and maintain 46 million specimens, as union talks and efforts to grow revenue and partnerships continue.