RICHMOND, VA. – The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will reduce its public programs, including some exhibitions, close an additional day each week and furlough its staff for ten days to meet Governor Mark Warner’s mandate that it must reduce operating-budget expenditures by 15 percent this fiscal year.

The Boulevard and theater box office entrances to the museum have been closed. Public access to the museum is restricted to the entrance from the parking lot to the west of the building.

The number of exhibitions and programs will be reduced immediately.

The museum’s galleries, shop, café and Members’ Dining Room will be closed on Tuesday each week, effective December 24. Each has long been closed on Mondays.

Additional efficiencies will be achieved by eliminating travel, staff training and equipment purchases.

All full-time permanent staff (approximately 152 people) will be furloughed for ten days between now and the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2003.

Landscaping expenses will be reduced by eliminating annual plantings.

“Decisions such as these are difficult ones,” said Director Dr. Michael Brand. “We have done our best, however, to limit the effects of the budget cuts as much as possible and to ensure that Virginians can continue to enjoy one of the nation’s finest art museums.”

The museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm effective December 24.