Voice Media Group is making staffing changes at the Village Voice. The net effect of these changes will be to slightly reduce the number of editorial employees at the publication—by less than one full-time position—and better align the Voice with the long-term business and editorial goals of the company. This restructuring will allow the Voice to continue offering superior content and products to its New York audience – specifically film, music, restaurant, and breaking news easily accessible across both print and digital platforms – while also ensuring the sustainability of the publication.

As of next week, veteran gossip columnist Michael Musto and longtime theater critic Michael Feingold will no longer be staffers at the Voice. Voice Media Group recognizes their many achievements and honors over the years, and thanks them for their loyalty, their professionalism, and the iconic role they have played in establishing the Voice as a cultural touchstone in New York City. Feingold, named a Pulitzer finalist for criticism in 2009, has been invited to continue his association with the Voice by serving as chairman of the annual Obie Awards.

We’re also pleased to announce that two new positions have been added to the Voice writing staff, which already includes 2013 James Beard Award winner Tejal Rao, along with recently hired principal film writer Stephanie Zacharek and staff writer Sydney Brownstone.

Writer/editor Laura Shunk has joined the team as a part-time staff writer tasked with overseeing an expansion and reinvigoration of the Voice‘s food and restaurant coverage, both on the blog and in print. As part of that restructuring, freelance food writer Robert Sietsema will no longer serve as a regular weekly contributor. However, the Voice is actively soliciting new freelance writers interested in reporting on New York’s dynamic dining culture.

Additionally, management is looking to hire a new, full-time staff writer to join the Voice‘s exceptional reporting team. We hope to make an announcement about that hire shortly.

VMG will support the editorial staff throughout this process, and believes these changes will allow the Village Voice to grow and to continue its commitment to progressive journalism.