Australia's cultural institutions will not survive another funding cut without reputational damage as staff raise concerns about slipping standards and low morale, a new report has found. 
The report, published by the Community and Public Sector Union on Tuesday after Treasurer Scott Morrison warned of further cuts to the public sector, revealed angst and unrest at galleries, archives and libraries.  
Staff have warned further cuts are likely to risk the quality of exhibitions with many concerned about increasing workloads, job losses, conflicts of interest and "exorbitant parking".
The government's efficiency dividend has forced cultural institutions to find nearly $40 million of savings within four years in addition to budgets cuts, prompting fears of further job losses and program cuts.  
The National Library of Australia has already begun to curtail Trove publishing to meet the efficiency dividend and an additional $1.5 million of cuts announced in the mid-year economic statement. 
According to the CPSU, the uncertainty has burdened staff with one member claiming "morale here at the library is lower than I have ever seen before". 
"We are losing wonderful, expert colleagues and replacing them with either thin air or outside contract staff who inevitably leave and we are limiting the access to our important national collections."
Another member said the library was at risk of prioritising certain projects based on the prospect of commercial funding and allowing profit to determine cultural offerings. 
Earlier this year, the government told the library to consider private funding of its award-winning Trove website after it was revealed budget cuts meant the site would stagnate.
But the pursuit of donations from wealthy individuals and companies has raised concerns about sustainability and the willingness of leading artists to cooperate. 
"We have placed a greater emphasis on 'blockbuster' exhibitions which are put on with the financial support of sponsors or exhibition partners," one member said.
"Many contemporary artists refuse to be associated with big business who are often approached for funding," said another. 
"As the Gallery is moving towards a more contemporary focus this makes staging exhibitions and acquiring art very difficult."
On Monday, the National Gallery of Australia closed its contemporary art space on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin less than two years after it opened due to cutbacks. 
Staff have also raised concerns about the quality of exhibitions being compromised as they are forced to maintain high standards with dwindling resources.
"Everyone else has to take up other duties and some duties have to be dropped. There is concern about cutting corners and the effect on the care of the collection," one member said.
"This can't keep going the way it has. This attitude that public servants are essentially lazy and entitled is upsetting and so incredibly untrue.
"Everyone works so hard at the Gallery, giving up personal time with family to ensure that we maintain a fantastic facility for Australians to enjoy and all we get in return is unworkable financial constraints from government."
In   February, the NGA deputy director Kirsten Paisley told staff a number of vacant positions would not be publicly advertised with management considering further saving measures.
The government's efficiency dividend has been trimming the operating costs of Canberra-based institutions for nearly 30 years, despite bipartisan opposition from ACT politicians and taxpayers. 
ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja has routinely called for the efficiency dividend to be abandoned, breaking ranks with his federal colleagues.