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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe entertainment company that has garnered global recognition for its immersive experiences, said late Monday it plans to lay off up to 165 employees by Wednesday, a move that comes as the company plans to cut its expenses by 10%.
The layoffs include 111 jobs in both the corporate and exhibition teams, the company said in an email to The New Mexican.
The company said it plans to eliminate 54 bargaining unit positions in Las Vegas, as well, adding "there is no collective bargaining agreement in place" yet with the employee union Meow Wolf Workers Collective.
The news comes following the company's recent recognition by Fast Company magazine, which named Meow Wolf one of the world's Most Innovative Companies of 2024. It appeared on the publication's shortlist for live events and experiences, joining others such as Las Vegas, Nev.'s Sphere Entertainment and Netflix on the publication's live events and experiences shortlist.
It also comes following corporate restructuring late last year, when Meow Wolf laid off eight members of its corporate team.
At the time, the company had about 1,200 employees in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Texas, according to a December report.
In an email to Meow Wolf employees Monday, CEO Jose Tolosa wrote the past three years "taught us a lot about what we need to optimally staff and support our Exhibitions over the long term."
"We have a much better understanding of the marketplace and our visitation patterns," he continued. "And we now see that the model we launched with in 2021 overestimated the staffing in a number of functions. It is clear that if we want to keep growing and delivering on our mission, we must adjust course."
Tolosa wrote those affected by the layoffs will be eligible for rehire if an appropriate role emerges in the future.
"We will be offering a comprehensive separation package, including severance payments tied to years of service, extended healthcare coverage and outplacement services for career support, in addition to other resources," Tolosa wrote.
He added, "We also have deep relationships with many arts and culture organizations within our communities, and we will leverage these connections to help assist those looking for new opportunities."
