The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery stands to shed one-third of its roughly 70-strong workforce under a broader government bid to reduce public sector spending, a union claims.
Former senior curator at the museum Ian Terry said the head of the state's herbarium, which supports species identification and research, was among the slated cuts.
A senior exhibition officer, graphic designer, librarian and scientists who advise on a range of issues including biosecurity were also in the firing line, he said.
"We are already seeing the results, old exhibitions are getting tired and are changed less frequently," Mr Terry told a rally on Thursday.
"Galleries are closed some days because of staffing. We need a government to take arts and culture seriously."
The management of collections depended on highly skilled staff and Tasmania's access to its culture and heritage was at risk, wildlife scientist Sally Bryant said.
"These proposed cuts will cut to the very heart of (the museum)," Dr Bryant said.
"These collections are not sitting in dusty draws, they are living collections."
The state government has previously confirmed cuts will be made at the museum, but hasn't detailed the number.
The government had been clear and transparent about the need to right-size the public service, senior minister Bridget Archer told reporters.
It was important for Tasmania to have a sustainable budget so essential services could be delivered, she said.
The government wants to slash 1800 public sector jobs by 2032 to deal with rising debt.
The museum, which has an origin tracing back to 1843, is legally responsible for growing, preserving and exhibiting a state collection of more than one million objects.
There had been a lack of transparency around the cuts and their true impact remained to be seen, Community and Public Sector Union state secretary Thirza White said.
The union is calling for the government to slow down the job cut process amid concerns decades-worth of specialist skills will be lost.
Upper house independent MP Meg Webb will in November move a vote calling for a freeze on the cuts and a rigorous examination of what funding the museum needs.
"It is insanity to risk the critical and acclaimed agricultural, biosecurity, biodiversity, medicinal science, climate and other research," she said.
"I and other MPs are being inundated with messages of horror, bewilderment and utter disbelief from interstate and international research centres and universities."
Almost 6000 people have signed a parliamentary petition calling on the government to retain positions and make sure the museum is fit-for-purpose.
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