But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. 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. An account was already registered with this email. Xpress needs help, too. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. To be banished from the palace on Park Square seems to be a common pathway. They dont want to hear. The normal length of the meeting is two hours. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. The old powers get nervous and forget decency, all in the name of saving the good work weve done when its actually their own egos theyre defending and their positions of prestige and public notice theyre clinging to. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. Are you kidding me? Board of Directors. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. But the culture of fear in employees, the morale and the attrition is horrendous., In ticking off Weitzmans pattern of disruptive behavior at Tuesdays board meeting, Saenger, the chair, said, I dont see in any way how this benefits anyone or anything about the museum.. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Having been a consultant to dozens of major medical centers, large and small hospitals; as an active member of various boards; as an active supporter of the Asheville Art Museum for 19 years and a retired AAM board member; and along with my spouse substantial donors of funds and art , I am distressed and appalled over the treatment of Michelle Weitzman ,as revealed in this article. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. 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. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Your involvement is essential, now and in the future. 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/. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Apparently they built Pams house and thats all we need to know. The Asheville Art Museum has a high-quality collection of artifacts and visual arts representing the rich history of Western North Carolina. Checks and balances must be in place for all employees including executive management. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Saenger responded, We do not believe it would be appropriate to share incident reports or security videos., Sarah Reincke, president of the Docents Association before Weitzman and a former trustee, said she believes the board was trying to find any excuse to rid themselves of a Trustee who consistently voiced valid opinions the Executive Committee refused to consider., Reincke said Weitzman was not the person who reprimanded Pam at the party, and she is not responsible for how another person expresses an opinion., The board used the actions of a third party as cause for Michelles dismissal, further proof, Reincke said, of the museums dysfunctional leadership., In a statement to Asheville Watchdog, Saenger wrote that the museum does not comment on trustees who leave the organization., If the board feels it necessary to ask a trustee to step down before the end of their normal term, it is not a matter we take lightly, but with the best interest of the museum in mind, Saenger wrote. This is no way to run any organization, let alone a supposedly not for profit arts organization. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. But, with the revelations coming from this and other articles, I now have to question my assumptions. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. 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. Thats absurd, Krider said. Every request was honored, Krider said. Is there not something to this? Huff said. I think well move on with our agenda now. I recently found out that more than one employee that filed for unemployment during Covid (which the museum accepted) later had lawsuits filed against them by Lindsay and Pam to repay all the money they received because the museum forced everyone to work (many in person in the office) through the beginning of Covid leaving folks with kids, elderly and disabled with no way of earning money. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. Check outadditional time lapse videos of the construction project on our YouTube channel. The space within the building which comprises the Art Museum is leased to it by the City. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now. The word used by three former staff is traumatic. , Kevin Click, the board vice-chair and a former human resources executive, said in a written response to questions from Asheville Watchdog that Myers has been very positive about the coaching and feedback she is receiving.. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. 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. 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. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Thanks for publication but from my experience in NYC museums are famous for being toxic. Does Pam have the museum board over a barrel, given all the board member remarks about all the money she brings in? Critique, challenge, and transparency all come with leadership. I couldnt have said it better myself. Thats absurd, Krider said. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. 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. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Pam should not have been in charge of day to day operations in 2015, and it is shocking that she still is. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. Established by artists in 1948, Asheville Art Museum works to transform lives through art. What is happening at art museums? 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. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. There are many ways that you can become involved and be a part of this extraordinary community endeavor. Image Requests To request images for publication or other uses, click here to complete our request for image use form. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. If there are additional episodes of improper staff involvement, I will bring this to the trustees to consider your continuing on the board., On Monday, Nov. 14, the day before Tuesdays board meeting, Saenger wrote to Weitzman, In accordance with the bylaws, I am giving you notice that given the inappropriate behavior when you and your companions verbally attacked and intimidated Pam and others at the members event I will request a discussion as to your continuing to serve on the AAM board. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. Tickets are non-refundable. 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. Has Pam done anything unethical or illegal? I love when TheRump ends with that you always know more bad news is inevitably on the way. The museum only has an Associate Curator and an Assistant Curator and does not appear to be looking to refill the lead position at this time. Sep 2021 - Present1 year 5 months. / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! 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 Asheville Art Museum is one of six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service! Only 6 and under are free, as well as UNC-A students, Members of AAM, and active military personnel, which most of the latter three groups could afford. If you are still unsure about studying overseas, it is always good to speak to an experienced person who can help you point in the right direction. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Need a Consultation? There are two sides to every story. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. This is no joke. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. The Museum was founded in 1948, and weve had many wonderful years of growth. 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 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. Ruling year info 1976 Executive Director Ms. Pamela Myers Main address PO Box 1717 Asheville, NC 28802 USA Show more contact info EIN 56-6060776 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? To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. 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? Having said that, my guess is that this situation will not end well for Meyers or the board if the current direction continues. 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. Kindness and gentle approaches 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. Open daily 11am6pm. Utilizing the current building footprint of the Museum, this environmentally friendly project includes the historic preservation of the Museums current North Wing (the 1926 Pack Library building), renovation of prior Museum spaces, and new construction to transform current disparate spaces into a cohesive, coherent, and inviting Museum. My long time experience with organizations tells me that this situation will fester and not go away. Is there a chance NC electoral votes will be split? I hardly said anything. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. 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. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. 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. It was not an attack.. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. This sounds EXACTLY like the art museum I used to work for. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. Money. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. Our Vision + Mission: To transform lives through art. People world-wide can now explore the Museums diverse Collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art online from the comfort of their homes. Those that dont agree to play that game will be made irrelevant or removed entirely. Its an art museum of American art, thats its sole focus. Comprised of artwork created from 2016 to the present, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze reflects on making something from nothing, lemonade from lemons, the best of a situation. Sherrill Roland November 18, 2022-March 20, 2023 Theyre not hearing. Read more about the history of the Museum, as well as the Museums new building. An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museums board, the only current trustee to speak publicly about employee complaints of mistreatment, was ousted from the board Tuesday and removed as a museum volunteer. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. I had a very disappointing and surprising interaction with Ms. Myers many years ago, when I brought about 30 tribal childrens paintings from India, which I thought she might be interested in as they were part of an initiative to train gifted children to carry on Warli Tribal painting traditions. 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.
What Your Favorite My Little Pony Says About You,
Waffles Using Beignet Mix,
Articles A