National Aquarium to Eliminate 30 Positions
The Baltimore nonprofit will restructure titles, responsibilities and departments beginning January 1, 2027.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Aquariums
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The National Aquarium plans to eliminate 30 positions as part of a strategic restructuring that begins January 1, 2027. Titles, responsibilities and department structures will change, and some new positions will be added.
Why it matters
Materials, services and utilities cost more, and operating revenue growth has not kept pace with those costs. The restructuring is the institution's response to that gap for Baltimore's tourism staple.
The plan calls for eliminating 30 positions effective January 1, 2027, with the restructuring also reshaping titles and responsibilities. Which roles are cut and how many of the newly added positions will offset the reductions has not been disclosed.
The players
National Aquarium
A nonprofit aquarium in Baltimore that is a major tourism attraction and the institution undertaking the restructuring.
Jennifer Driban
The National Aquarium executive who announced the restructuring plan in a statement.
The details
Jennifer Driban announced the restructuring in a statement as part of a strategic plan. The National Aquarium did not immediately respond to questions about the restructuring when contacted Saturday.
Timeline
Earlier this week: National Aquarium announced planned position eliminations.
Saturday: The National Aquarium did not respond to restructuring questions.
January 1, 2027: Restructuring and the 30 position eliminations take effect.
Culture Shift
Like other nonprofit aquariums and zoos that have restructured staffing as operating costs rose faster than revenue, the National Aquarium is reshaping its workforce to close the gap. The move signals that cost pressure, not only attendance, is driving decisions at Baltimore's flagship attraction.
Baltimore residents and visitors who rely on the National Aquarium as a tourism staple may see changes in staffing and programming as titles and departments are reorganized. Employees in the 30 eliminated positions will be directly affected starting January 1, 2027.
The takeaway
Nonprofit attractions facing rising costs may restructure staffing rather than rely solely on attendance growth. Readers planning a Baltimore visit can expect the institution to adjust operations as the restructuring takes effect.
What happens next
The restructuring and position eliminations take effect January 1, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Aquariums for context on how these attractions operate.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBFF.
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