Metropolitan Museum Announces Job Cuts, Expects More to Follow

The museum's problems have been compounded by a drop in the number of foreign visitors, who account for 35 percent of the museum's attendance, spend more on souvenirs than Americans, and tend to pay the full suggested entry fee of $20. Even with highly anticipated exhibitions such as the Francis Bacon show and an exhibit of treasures from ancient Afghanistan, the museum is uncertain it can meet its goal of 4.3 million visitors for the fiscal year, which ends in June.