More than 100 people are expected to protest outside the Royal Academy of Arts this weekend, after the charity announced proposals to cut about 18 per cent of its workforce.

Staff will gather outside the London-based arts charity on Saturday to protest against the possible redundancy plans.

The RA last week announced that up to 60 roles could be made redundant under plans to improve its financial position, amounting to 18 per cent of its about 325-strong workforce.

The redundancy consultation will affect all levels of the organisation, the charity said, with the impact varying between departments.

According to the union IWGB, which has not yet been recognised by the RA, the charity’s collective redundancy consultation is coming to an end, with individual consultations soon to begin.

The plans come as the RA faces a forecast loss of £7m, after increased costs and changing visitor behaviours put pressure on its financial position, the charity said.

The IWGB has since announced that staff plan to protest against the plans, calling for the RA to immediately halt all mandatory redundancies.

More than 100 workers and supporters are expected to attend the protest, which will be held outside the charity’s building in London on Saturday morning.

The IWGB said these plans marked the second wave of mass redundancies at the RA, after the charity made 150 job cuts in 2020.

A spokesperson for IWGB members at the RA said: “Management are making their second round of redundancies in under five years, and lining their pockets by refusing to engage meaningfully with the possibility of pay cuts for themselves. 

“Arts institutions like the RA will be unable to do the vital work they do with fewer staff, leading to a reduction in access to art for the public. 

“We call on the RA management to immediately halt all mandatory redundancies; they only lead in one direction – a depleted institution, a poorer quality of output and diminished access to art for those who need it the most.”

The RA has been contacted for comment.