Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. 120 College Street. This is not a game to me, Weitzman said, adding that she had raised concerns about employee mistreatment with Saenger; with the previous chair, Herbert Butch Patrick Jr.; and with board vice chair Kevin Click, the chair of the human resources committee. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. The Collectors' Circle is dedicated to increasing their own knowledge about art and collecting, while also growing the Museum's Permanent Collection through annual purchases from an acquisition fund created by yearly dues. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. She and other current board members, as well as past board . All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. In one email to Click, the chair of the human resources committee, and then board chair Butch Patrick, Weitzman wrote that fear of being fired has created a large morale deficit compounded by the inability to speak up., She asked for immediate action and wrote that there have been issues and concerns for a long period of time.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. The Collection; . Activities and Societies: graduate assistantship, Dept of Art History, Theory and Criticism news editor F magazine, executive board, Artists of Color United (ACU) Ford Foundation Fellowship (full . After the meeting, she sent an email to the docents, writing that she had been removed as a result of standing up for museum staff for the last year, within the Board of Trustees and most recently on record with the AVLWatchdog.org article., Nancy Ferguson, a 30-year museum volunteer and former trustee, told Asheville Watchdog, I was appalled to learn of Ms. Weitzmans dismissal. @ Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library, Asheville Restaurant Week Returns January 17-23, Warren Wilson College Announces Courses for Lifelong Learners, Asheville City Schools Graduation Rate Above State Average, How to Dispose of, or Recycle, That Christmas Tree, Flat Rock Playhouse Announces 2023 Music on the Rock Concert Series, Employment Agencies, Consultants & Businesses. I see lawsuits as several laws appear to have been violated. They orchestrated it all., Weitzman had volunteered at the museum since 2016 and held a seat on the board as president of the Docents Association. Which, come to think of it might be precisely what it is ;) anyhoo Stay Tuned!! Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. January 23, 2020 GMAT coaching in Chandigarh/Punjab. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. Please, check your inbox! I think well move on with our agenda now. The City does not manage the museum but the City does own the land and the building which houses the museum. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. If so, time for a review/investigation to assist the Board in seeing the light? After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Exhibition Title: Asheville Art . The Museum acknowledges that it is situated upon the ancient, southern Appalachian ancestral homeland of the Cherokee Tribe and that this region is still the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians today. Ousted Trustee Describes Culture of Fear at Asheville Art Museum, Hyperallergic, 11/18/22, https://hyperallergic.com/781084/ousted-trustee-describes-culture-of-fear-at-asheville-art-museum/, Trustee Who Criticized Director Is Ousted from Art Museum Board, Asheville Watchdog, 11/17/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/trustee-ousted-from-museum-board/, Not A Pretty Picture at the Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Watchdog, 11/9/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/not-a-pretty-picture-at-the-asheville-art-museum/. Open daily 11 am - 6 pm. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Its an embarrassment. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. The building is beautiful. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Rebel/Re-Belle: Exploring Gender, Agency, and Identity | Selections from the Asheville Art Museum and Rubell Museum combines works from two significant collections of contemporary art to explore how artists have innovated, influenced, interrogated, and inspired visual culture in the past 100 years. In charge of it all is a board of trustees with full authority over the museum's affairs, and one that operates out of public view, often yielding to the will of its long-time executive director, Pamela Myers. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. It was just very upsetting to me.. I am not the least surprised by anything I have recently read about her managerial style. Now that the construction is complete and the Museum has reopened, we invite you into our new space to experience our fresh approaches, additions to the Collection, exhibitions, and educational programs. Jun 17, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Asheville, NC Recommend CEO Approval Business Outlook Pros My colleagues at the Museum were supportive, creative, and truly nice people. . Theyre not hearing. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. As a friend of the arts and the Museum, your support is more important than ever. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Do Pam Myers and the museum have any self-awareness at all? Abigail L. Martin, Keller Williams Realty. They dont want to hear. I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. The ArtWORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign has been very successful due to the generosity of our board of trustees, close supporters, government, foundation, and corporate supporters from within Buncombe County, North Carolina, and nationally. It is obvious that her interpersonal skills are lacking, in spite of previous training and consulting. It was just very upsetting to me., Saenger said in the meeting, If youve read Lindsays report or spoken to others, I think its clear this was grossly inappropriate behavior by a trustee And this was in the midst of an event for members in the atrium of the museum., Asheville Watchdog requested the report Saenger referenced and any videotape of the incident. Your email address will not be published. The Asheville Art Museum is a private nonprofit 501c3 (not public). The Asheville Art Museum is the sole museum to garner three Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Awards in the 2022 competition! Learn More{{/message}}. Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 1717 Asheville, NC 28802-1717 Phone 828.253.3227 Art Inquiries For exhibition proposals, information about artworks, or artwork donations, click here for more information. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. The argument is that she has consistently failed at other very vital parts of her job and the Board has been relatively inefficient at addressing them seriously and effectively. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. I wrote recommendations, and I was dismissed, so I went through proper channels before putting my name and my reputation in the public view, Weitzman said. A gift to the Capital Campaign is a gift to our communitys future. It was just very upsetting to me., Saenger said in the meeting, If youve read Lindsays report or spoken to others, I think its clear this was grossly inappropriate behavior by a trustee And this was in the midst of an event for members in the atrium of the museum., Asheville Watchdog requested the report Saenger referenced and any videotape of the incident. An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. As Peter Drucker once famously said, Culture eats strategy for breakfast and it seems that the culture of this institution is in need of repair. Three of the board members who resigned in May, including Huff and Green, told The Watchdog the treatment of employees and the boards response was a factor in their decision to leave. Read more about our Capital Campaign effort. As a long term Asheville Art Museum member, donor, former volunteer, former Gallery Associate, and current Adult Studio instructor, I am little more than an outside observer to the day to day operations of the museum so this story has been revealing. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Given these extreme circumstances and the weight of whats happening inside that museum, it is clear they are continuing to choose one person over the health of the institution, Reilly said. We understand, the web can be a dangerous place! I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. At some point words need to translate into both action and changed behavior, not just more words. Show your support for our community by helping us power authoritative, in-depth reporting, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it. What, because I spoke up? she said. New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida.It was founded in 1960 as a private institution known simply as New College, spent several years merged into the University of South Florida, and in 2001 became an autonomous college, the eleventh independent school of the State University System of Florida. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. Really good health insurance. Youre no longer a volunteer.. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. How do we get rid of Myers and her bootlickers on the Board? / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. The Museum moved The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children . One must assume that Ms. Myers makes all major curatorial decisions, also. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. In one email to Click, the chair of the human resources committee, and then board chair Butch Patrick, Weitzman wrote that fear of being fired has created a large morale deficit compounded by the inability to speak up., She asked for immediate action and wrote that there have been issues and concerns for a long period of time.. I chalk it up to there being better opportunities for staff elsewhere. You said to me you will not stand down on this. Certainly should not be punished for it ! Xpress needs help, too. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. This series of stories, with its tone of personal attack, is not helpful, either to the museum or to Asheville Watchdog. Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. The Asheville Art Museum has been remodeled since my last visit. An account was already registered with this email. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Through his work, Roland engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and other deeply human experiences. Tickets are non-refundable. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. Never miss an update by signing up for our free Watchdog News Alerts, delivered directly to your inbox. Established by artists in 1948, Asheville Art Museum works to transform lives through art. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Opinion: Mark Meadows Skates on Voter Fraud Charge. Healthy and productive debates are beneficial to any organization., Saenger also wrote that the board has complete confidence in Pam., This team, led by Pam, has built an outstanding institution, Saenger wrote. This story is good work! The Asheville Symphony Sessions; 2021 Virtual Concert Series; News & Press; ASO Radio; Education. . Foundation Directors Warren Stephens, Chair Ben Hussman, Vice-Chair George O'Connor, Treasurer Victoria Ramirez, Secretary John Ed Anthony Terri Erwin Michael Mayton Harriet Stephens The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Your email address will not be published. The Museum is moving with awareness and commitment, through assessment, training and engagement, to implementation and accountability. By the way, not only was my seat removed from the board, but also the seat of the other person who voted against the contract. After the meeting, she sent an email to the docents, writing that she had been removed as a result of standing up for museum staff for the last year, within the Board of Trustees and most recently on record with the AVLWatchdog.org article., Nancy Ferguson, a 30-year museum volunteer and former trustee, told Asheville Watchdog, I was appalled to learn of Ms. Weitzmans dismissal. Weitzman pressed on after Saenger became the chair, asking for more information on employee complaints, staff exit interviews, and the executive coach that had been brought in for Myers and senior leaders, emails show. In charge of it all is a board of trustees with full authority over the museum's affairs, and one that operates out of public view, often yielding to the will of its long-time executive director, Pamela Myers. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. Three of the board members who resigned in May, including Huff and Green, told The Watchdog the treatment of employees and the boards response was a factor in their decision to leave. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. It is well-past time for the Board of Trustees of the Asheville Art Museum to remove Pam Myers as Executive Director. We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. I am disappointed that the Board of the Museum is so insecure that the only way they can deal with differences is by throwing out the person who differs with the majority view. Asheville-born interdisciplinary artist Sherrill Rolands socially driven practice draws upon his experience with wrongful incarceration for a crime he did not commit and seeks to open conversations about how we care for our communities and one another with compassion and understanding. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Kids under 15 should be allowed in at no cost if art is to be advanced now the fee is $10 for those same aged kids. If you cant discuss the efficacy of an organization and the way things are done as a member of that organizations board of directors, where exactly should one go to have that discussion? Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. sorry, that should have read: [this] reminds me of another highly manipulative/ vindictive psychopath Anyway, really, the powers to be in the City of Asheville/ Buncombe County now is the time for some serious damage control because I highly doubt this is going away anytime soon. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Is the Asheville Art Museum a public institution meant to serve citizens or merely Ms. Myers house and the boards plaything. An Asheville Museum of Art board member and volunteer docent who spoke publicly about allegations of worker mistreatment at the museum has been ousted from her post, the Asheville. I wrote recommendations, and I was dismissed, so I went through proper channels before putting my name and my reputation in the public view, Weitzman said. Celebrated my birthday at the art museum on Monday with 3 generations of family. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. I think this cancel culture has gone so totally out of control, and I think thats exactly what Michelle is dealing with, Zahler said, not recognizing the fact that all the good work that had gone on before, that there was an issue, and because of that, Pam should be canceled. The Asheville Art Museum has a high-quality collection of artifacts and visual arts representing the rich history of Western North Carolina. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. The Museum was founded in 1948, and weve had many wonderful years of growth. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Oh, and I love the quote.. Youre in my house. .reminds me of another psychopath were all unfortunately all too familiar with. I am a former AAM member, but gave up donating awhile back when the staff turnover showed that the negative work environment was effecting the entire institution. Current and former employees, volunteers and board members of the Asheville Art Museum describe a workplace that is "beyond toxic," an Asheville Watchdog investigation found. 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