SMITHSONIAN OFFERS BUYOUT PLAN FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

G. Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian, who is most recently known for his controversial decision to remove a video work by David Wojnarowicz from the National Portrait Gallery exhibition “Hide and Seek” announced that he will be offering many federal employees of the museum buyouts or early retirement offers for voluntary retirement.

Clough said in a memo, that if these buyouts take place he sees an opportunity to recast museum programs and revamp the workforce. Jacqueline Trescott for the Washington Post_ has cited the buyout package as a lump sum up to $25,000. Clough has give his employees until July 22 to decide.