Richard Moore, the museum’s interim director and president of the museum’s board of directors, said Wednesday the two positions that were cut this week were full-time marketing jobs. According to Moore, the terminations were a way to absorb the museum’s slow traffic.

Moore said if the two employees who were laid off do not have new jobs by the middle of next May, the museum would consider rehiring them.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the museum will only be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays starting Jan. 1. Any special events, meetings, conferences and school field trips that have already been booked will go on as scheduled.

“We are taking advantage of the downtime and trying to be proactive,” Moore said. “This gives volunteers an opportunity to update exhibits. We are going to be counting on our strong volunteer base during this time. We are excited.”

Moore took over as interim director after Daniel Bateman left in November.