Saenger responded in an Aug. 9 email that while it is important that trustees are informed as to staffing needs, etc., personal details are restricted by state and federal policy.. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? I am aghast at some of the comments on the recent articles, as well as those from current AAM board members. Kerry Martin, Community Volunteer. 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. To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. Saenger then polled the trustees. This exhibition presents highlights from the Asheville Art Museums Collection by artists engaging the intaglio printmaking technique of etching in the late 19th and early 20th century. I dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. 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 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. Once the building housed just two organizations, the umbrella organization that operated the building was eliminated, and the existing organizations had direct leases with the City that County support was phased out over a few years. Time for an even closer look at this situation. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. These are not adolescents whining for attention, promotions and pay raises. Can I help pay off kids school lunch debts? The Museums expansion and renovation project has consisted of different carefully planned phases: renovation/preservation of the North Wing (1926 Pack Library building); demolition work on the Museums East Wing and core; and the construction of the new building and glass faade. It is lazy. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. But we have been updating inside and out, to build on our past and move forward so that we may thrive far into the 21st century. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. I dont always agree with her, but I have immense respect for her and what she has accomplished for Asheville. Never miss an update by signing up for our free Watchdog News Alerts, delivered directly to your inbox. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. Need a Consultation? The letters reveal snippets of daily life at the college, Johnsons experience of his growth as an artist, and early examples of Mail art, a movement that Johnson helped found. . Open daily 11am6pm. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Having worked in a variety of jobs for a variety of cultural institutions, I have observed how success attributed to a single individual can have unanticipated consequences. We understand, the web can be a dangerous place! 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. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. It was a pleasure serving with her on the Board the entire time I was on it. I am not the least surprised by anything I have recently read about her managerial style. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Asheville, NC 28801. The new director came in Fall of 2014 and since then 31 people have quit. @ 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 liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. You said to me you will not stand down on this. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. He said an Asheville Watchdog investigative story last week, in which Weitzman was quoted supporting ex-employees who complained of a toxic workplace, had tainted the image of the museum., As a final straw, Saenger said, Pamela Myers, the museums executive director, and a couple of others were threatened at a museum party the night of Nov. 10. "It's financially healthy. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. And yes, Im proudly woke.) . Is this board more or less bought and paid for by the successful fundraising, and how much is personal vanity playing a part in being a board member? 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. Youre no longer a volunteer.. 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. This is no way to run any organization, let alone a supposedly not for profit arts organization. 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. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. This is no joke. Enrich your involvement with the Museum by joining our vibrant family of Members. Do Pam Myers and the museum have any self-awareness at all? But how does that make the museum Youre in MY house? Commentary This article was originally published in American Thinker Consumers can take a lot, but when you start raisin It was not an attack.. Jen passed away on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, at the age of 46. It sounds like it is time for the board to put Pam in her place as successful fundraiser in chief and keep her away from the rest of the organization. She makes more than the people running the city government. We are sad to announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon of Sylva, North Carolina. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. The building is beautiful. They dont want to hear. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. An Asheville Museum of Artwork board member and volunteer docent who spoke publicly about allegations of worker mistreatment at the museum has been ousted from her submit, the Asheville Watchdog claimed. Staff are not and never have requested that the board acquiesce to a certain set of demands. It is well-past time for the Board of Trustees of the Asheville Art Museum to remove Pam Myers as Executive Director. Every request was honored, Krider said. Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra; Friends of the ASYO; Hip Hop Folktale Project; Music in the Schools; Young People's Concerts; Symphony Talk; MusicWorks; About Us. 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. To be active partners contributing to quality of life and community. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. It is up to staff and board to assess and address Museum health and not be complacent. In addition to the regular board meetings, the board holds work sessions one week prior to the regular . Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. So it makes me ill and incensed to think that behind those excellent exhibits lies an abusive work environment that has gone on for years, unchallenged by the very people whose job it is to resolve such matters. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. The City does not manage the museum but the City does own the land and the building which houses the museum. One must assume that Ms. Myers makes all major curatorial decisions, also. A majority of the museum's board has remained steadfast to Myers, the museum's director since 1995, despite complaints by former employees in 2015 and again in 2021. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Join, renew, or give the gift of Museum membership today. LOL. A woman Weitzman identified as Lindsay Rosson, director of finance and operations at the museum, removed Kriders wine glass from her hand and asked her to leave, according to Weitzman, Krider and Lewis. 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. Thats absurd, Krider said. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. What art museum does not have a lead curator? Checks and balances must be in place for all employees including executive management. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. 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. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. 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. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. 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. Xpress needs help, too. The Museum invites you to explore our outstanding Collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and to discover the richness of Western North Carolinas unique artistic history. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. This should be more a group effort.. Or do you simply disagree with her management style? Asheville Art Museum executive director Pam Myers. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. Board members support the ADA's mission to be a leader and advocate for the vitality of downtown Asheville. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. If not, there is the sound of inevitability in this story of potentially escalating to a whole new level, with a lot more attention than the museum or board would appreciate. 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. As Asheville Watchdog reported, the board has twice brought in an executive coach in 2015 after the six complaints to trustees, and again in 2021 after eight other ex-staffers voiced their concerns to Huff and board member Darren Green. In the meantime, it is time for us, artists and arts professionals of Asheville and surrounding regions, to do what the Board of Trustees has been unable to accomplish as a body: collectively and publicly voice our care for the Museum staff, advocate for them and the Museum's future, and call for the removal of Pam Myers as Executive Director. Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. The Asheville Art Museum has been remodeled since my last visit. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. They garnered support from the city, county, and other government sources for renovation, but tax payer dollars do not have a stake in year to year operations to my knowledge. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Such a shame. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? Asheville Art Museum Association Inc. has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. Not something the CT would undertake. The entire Board is failing to uphold its responsibility and purpose by not taking the Museum employees and their advocates as their first priority. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Experience great art while mingling with fellow art lovers at an opening reception, watch a local ceramist throw a pot in her studio, discover new creative skills at a workshopall this and more. Read more about our Capital Campaign effort. This story was originallypublishedbyAsheville Watchdog, an independent nonprofit news team serving Asheville and surrounding communities. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. 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. After all it is the legal and societal duty of a board member to question and chal- Art is certainly important, but the quality of the education leaders for our children should be primary. 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. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. This success can be attributed to the great work the staff did in marketing and administration. The fact that many have shared this sentiment and the board continues to take no meaningful action is ludicrous. There are many ways that you can become involved and be a part of this extraordinary community endeavor. Not only the board of the art museum, but many other institutions do not have the least consideration of the rest of the population, and refuse to hear any input, particularly if its negative to their established order. 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. Pay off kids school lunch debts Pam Myers as executive director board is failing to its! 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