Asheville Watchdog requested comment from Myers, Board Chair Paul Saenger, and past chairs, Butch Patrick and Linda Andrews. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. I think they felt threatened anyway, physically, and they were verbally attacked., Saenger allowed Weitzman an opportunity to respond at the board meeting before she was banished. Something needs to be done now. She and other current board members, as well as past board . More than two dozen former employees of the Asheville Art Museum have signed a letter calling for the removal of the longtime executive director and an end to what they describe as a culture of fear and toxic leadership., The letter, signed by 29 ex-staffers, said mistreatment of staff as reported by Asheville Watchdog requires the museums board to do their duty and remove Pam Myers immediately in order to protect the current and future health and viability of the Institution., An online petition also went up Tuesday morning, calling on artists to support the museum staff and Myerss removal, and start the process of reestablishing trust and transparency with our entire community.. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. We are going to pull out all the stops until theres change.. 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. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. Re: Comments from Hamill (donor) The 68,000-square-foot museum features 20th and 21st century American art. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Please show Pam Myers and a few of her board minions to the door. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. 2 segundos ago Asheville Art Museum Association Inc. has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Considering all the current conversation about her quest for perfection, I came away thinking I dont count for much in her world view. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. 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.. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. Absolutely. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. Years ago I wrote Pam Myers about an exhibit concept that would feature the design community of Asheville as a vibrant collection of talented professionals doing breakthrough work. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. The Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina (WNC) and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. 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.. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Weitzman, who until Tuesday had also been a volunteer docent leading tours of the museum, engaged in a pattern of disruptive behavior, Saenger said in the meeting. 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. The Asheville Art Museum is a regional affiliate partner of the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosting an annual juried competition for students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina. To be balanced, the reporter quoted two museum donors, one who defended the museum and gave her reasons, and one who stopped supporting the museum and gave his reasons. Check out the best museums in Asheville to visit in 2023. Never had any direct interaction with her but this article helps make more sense of why it seemed like such an unhappy place. See here for our terms of service. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. It is not leadership. Momentum Gallery 13 Art Galleries Literary, Art & Music Tours By 858wandar Asheville Art Museum moved to Pack Square in 1992. Yes, thats the definition of insanity, Homelessness and First Amendment On Trial in Asheville. // Photo credit: Lindsey Grossman. 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. She said that former employees had told her, unsolicited, that they were still experiencing nightmares, PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] and continual therapy from their experience working at the museum. Christine Del Re seems to be taking a rather defensive posture, and an unbalanced one at that, while distracting from the problems at the museum. Sections will explore the history of pattern and decorations use in American art during and after the now formally recognized movement was established. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. I think well move on with our agenda now. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Asheville-born and Raleigh-Durham-based 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. It is compliance and should fall to the CFO or COOin this case the same individualthe museum was under an extension when I arrived and remained so when I left. Weitzman was part of a group who had gathered on the second floor to talk when Krider, whom Weitzman said she had just met, said shed like to speak with Pam Myers, according to Weitzman. Or perhaps the organization cares only what its funders think and not the staff or general public. And the sycophants & lickspittles fawning over her psyche & clamoring on how theyve been emotionally upset by this icky reality thing. The museum belongs to the citizens of Asheville, Bleakney told Asheville Watchdog. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. Asheville Art Museum Project Focus Area: Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014 SECU Foundation awarded a grant to the Asheville Art Museum Association, Inc. to support the design, renovation and construction of the regional museum located in downtown Asheville. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password. At the Asheville Art Museum, the gift shop and the Front Desk were one and the same, meaning that those employees were front-facing and interacted with guests and served as the first impression to the Museum. This is abuse. On view through May 15! An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museums board, the only current trustee to speak publicly about employee complaints of mistreatment, was recently ousted from the board and removed as a museum volunteer. 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. Xpress needs help, too. Yeah were not talking about Pam being harsh and demanding with staff who werent doing a good job. Were talking about witnessing our colleagues get told they are whiny babies when they are sexually harassed at work; were talking about being denied access to vital tools to do our jobs and then get yelled at when we are not able to do that job properly; were talking about consistently being ignored when we ask questions so that we can simply do our jobs better; were talking about being asked to work overtime for weeks on end and then not receive a proper break or compensation, only then to be told were not working hard enough; were talking about being subjected to a colleague who watched pornography in his office for years on end but no one wanted to report it because they were afraid Pam wouldnt believe them, then once finally reported he remained at AAM for weeks more; were talking about being told we are fucking idiots during public events when Pam didnt like where a table or garbage bin was placed; were talking about having no access to Human Resources or even a policy manual (!!) Mar 1, 2023 - Looking to get inspired on your trip to Asheville? The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. But some trustees felt the board should do more, such as hire an administrator to run the day-to-day operations and free Myers to focus on fundraising and larger issues. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Pack Place takeover, Art Museum's "SECU Plaza" project scrutinized. asheville art museum board of directors. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Asheville Art Museum Exposed (@ashevilleartmuseumxposed) on Instagram. 4. Pictured: The Missoula Art Museum, whose Museum as Megaphone distance learning platform has provided access to arts education to rural and Tribal communities across Montana throughout the pandemic. Mind you this was right before the museum was going to reopen, a supposedly exciting time to be there. Ive seen her wash the dishes after big events; she expected us to pitch in too. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. The museum's collection of 5,000 objects and art pieces are displayed in beautiful galleries throughout the three-floor . 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. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! I think this is horrible., Zahler added that he was supposed to be making the motion to remove Weitzman, but obviously I got on a little too late I would like to second that motion.. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. fillmore county journal police reports; zillow dixon, ca; january 26, 2004 moon sign; won the 1989 group of the year juno award codycross; ncis jack sloane baby daddy; can we eat jackfruit during . Guess we are all just to make up our own minds based on the reporting and comments alone. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A He ll Art Museum. Asheville Police spokesperson Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. This is no way to run any organization, let alone a supposedly not for profit arts organization. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. It just makes me livid., And the board is closing ranks, Bleakney said, instead of responding with possibly a community roundtable or a community forum, a way to open up and connect and talk about these issues.. (828) 254-7162 DONATE ABOUT The Asheville Art Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums which receives support for its programs from Museum Members; other generous individuals, corporations, businesses, and foundations; the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (www.NCArts.org); the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal support for the nations libraries and museums; and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency which believes that a great nation deserves great art. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! Leave, I did. . But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. Read more about the history of the Museum, as well as the Museums new building. The board may be putting itself at risk by not taking more concrete action given that what has been done so far appears to be ineffective, nice words but little effect. 0 404 4 minutes read. She said that former employees had told her, unsolicited, that they were still experiencing nightmares, PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] and continual therapy from their experience working at the museum. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. Sunday Funday the Old-Fashioned Way! As a Member, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits while providing vital support for the Museums engaging education programs and innovative exhibitions. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. Aug 2016 - Present6 years 7 months. Where is that information and why not presented here? But behind. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass building that is now a landmark downtown, and the museum has an endowment of more than $6 million. Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. Oh, and I love the quote.. Youre in my house. .reminds me of another psychopath were all unfortunately all too familiar with. Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the Asheville Art Museum is committed to being a vital force in community and individual development and to providing lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through the visual arts. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center By The Numbers. In the letter to the Trustees, the 29 ex-employees wrote that current and former staff want to reclaim our Museum an institution built by the community and for the community.. Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze. This is no joke. I tried to stand in front of Pam. "We wanted the building to be . * Asheville Art Museum, Board of Trustees, 2012 - Present * High Museum of Art, Director's Circle, 2003 - 2006 * Marketing Director of various law firms in AZ, NY and ATL, 1997 -. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Youre no longer a volunteer.. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. I did not sign the letter or go on record with Watchdog because I am afraid of retaliation from Pam and the board members who are in active leadership roles in this community. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children, and families; guided and group tours; concerts and performances; volunteer and docent programs; year-round and summer internship programs; film screenings; lectures and panel discussions; school and teacher programs; special events; and much more. Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of nearly 149,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. 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