Photo by William Zbaren

I just got off the phone with Susan Baum, a spokeswoman for the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, who confirmed some of the “gossip” we spotted on Proximity’s website this morning regarding layoffs and scheduling changes at the Spertus Museum.

When asked about staff reductions, Baum would only say, “There have been some changes made.” She referred me to incoming Spertus president and CEO Hal M. Lewis, with whom I hope to speak later today.

Baum acknowledged, however, that in September, after the museum’s current exhibition “A Force for Change: African American Art and the Julius Rosenwald Fund” closes, the Spertus will only be open “every other Sunday” and during special events. The museum may also be open one night each week and by appointment only, she adds, explaining that the schedule isn’t fully set yet. (According to a statement on the Spertus’s website, the museum will be open the second Thursday evening of each month.) The alternate-Sunday schedule begins affecting the museum’s Gray Children’s Center July 1; instead of functioning as a “drop-in” facility, it will only offer structured family programs. That’s a big drop from its current hours, Wednesdays and Sundays 10am–5pm and Thursdays 10am–6pm.

Given the extent of the rumored layoffs, we wondered whether the Spertus would be able to continue its exhibition program. Baum informs us that the museum intends to present a collection-based show, “What Does It Say To You?,” this fall. I’ll post an update on this situation as soon as I have more information.