We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. Tickets are non-refundable. Theyre not hearing. Krider said she told Myers, Why do you think you can just stonewall people who are really struggling to understand your role and some of whats been going on here? , According to Weitzman, Benites got defensive and said, I dont think this is appropriate, and Pam said, Im hosting a party. , Weitzman said Krider was shaking her finger at Myers but stopped when Myers asked her to. Is there not something to this? Huff said. 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. asheville art museum board of directors. . North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. You said to me you will not stand down on this. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. 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. The Museum was founded in 1948, and weve had many wonderful years of growth. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Read more about the history of the Museum, as well as the Museums new building. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. Contact her at [email protected]. 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. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. In addition to teaching violin and piano at AMS on a part-time basis since 2008, she has been a performing musician for over 35 years. The first floor had minimal art, just some in the lobby and framed photography. Asheville Art Museum. 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. Thats absurd, Krider said. It is a distinct and dangerous part of the problem. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Sep 2021 - Present1 year 5 months. I hardly said anything. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. 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.. Read more about the new building. In the spring of 2021, the board voted on the directors new contract. 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. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This should be more a group effort.. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. See here for our terms of service. Clearly there has been a consistent and ongoing pattern of abuse of volunteers and employees by Ms. Myers, which quite frankly reads like nothing short of a reign of terror .very very bad public relations no matter how magnificent your prized glass edifice there in Pack Square is. The board meets the second Monday of each month (unless regular date is a holiday and/or as noted in schedule) at 5:00 p.m. at the Asheville City School Administrative Offices at 85 Mountain St. Image Requests To request images for publication or other uses, click here to complete our request for image use form. Artists for Asheville started this petition Two recent articles in the Asheville Watchdog have exposed how Pam Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum, has routinely mistreated Museum staff during her tenure, creating a culture of fear, retaliation, and high attrition that has twice been brought to the Museum's Board of Trustees. Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. But how does that make the museum Youre in MY house? 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. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. The fact that many have shared this sentiment and the board continues to take no meaningful action is ludicrous. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. 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. The Power Plant, a leading contemporary art space on Toronto's waterfront, has lost nearly its entire board of directors, with 24 out of 27 of its members resigning en masse earlier this week.The members who resigned have done so due to objections to the institution's management by an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Harbourfront Centre, and have called for the institution to be held . Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. This all sounds like a vanity project that continues under an implicit threat of being fired, thrown off the board, or Ill hold my breath until I turn blue, then Ill take my toys (money) and go home and then youll be sorry!. She was a beloved mother, sister . This success can be attributed to the great work the staff did in marketing and administration. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. 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. 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. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Thank you, and stay well! What art museum does not have a lead curator? This sounds EXACTLY like the art museum I used to work for. I hardly said anything. . 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.. How out of touch & elitist. 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.. Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. 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. Does BeLoved Asheville clean up after homeless people? I think well move on with our agenda now. Open daily 11 am - 6 pm. I would love to see a deep dive into the funding of the museum. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Im hopeful you will stand up and see that while your efforts are to you for the good of the museum, they are proving counterproductive. Asheville Art Museum Collections. An awesome contemporary art collection and thought-provoking special exhibits make this an underrated place to go in the city, especially on rainy days. Read more about our Capital Campaign effort. 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. Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. 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.. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. 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. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. Wonder if the job description for director of finance and operations includes wine glass removal. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. I think well move on with our agenda now. That Myers has brought in a lot of funding is great. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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. 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. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Commentary This article was originally published in American Thinker Consumers can take a lot, but when you start raisin Sherrill Roland November 18, 2022-March 20, 2023 Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. 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. 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.. Are you kidding me? Xpress needs help, too. I tried to stand in front of Pam. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. It is a travesty that numerous other board members have long turned a blind eye to the serious, ongoing harm to employees that Ms. Weitzman was asking them to put a stop to. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. 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.. It is lazy. This story was originallypublishedbyAsheville Watchdog, an independent nonprofit news team serving Asheville and surrounding communities. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. 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. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. hummm reporting decidedly relevant news.. with multiple quotes from her completely compliant and [now] unanimously supportive board; definitely ..as your man TheRump says ad infinitum ..a Witch Hunt !! 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. Weitzman was the only current trustee who agreed to be interviewed for the Watchdoginvestigative story and was quoted saying the museum looks really pretty on the outside. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. 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. 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. Art is certainly important, but the quality of the education leaders for our children should be primary. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. personality issues.A working, functional board should encourage a range of views. 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. She imperiously, very rudely and with great toxicity showed me the door. Really good health insurance. This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. Celebrated my birthday at the art museum on Monday with 3 generations of family. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. We need ethical and compassionate leadership from the Executive Director and Board. "It's financially healthy. Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. When I handed over the contract to the incoming docent president, I was suspended from being a docent for six months, which extended into 8 1/2 months and then expulsion from the docent corp. When will these leaders ever learn that a toxic environment doesnt benefit the institution. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. Your email address will not be published. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. The building is beautiful. Linda Kendall Fields is a resident of Fletcher, North Carolina and has been on the Asheville Music School Board of Directors since it became a non-profit organization in 2012. Who would suggest changing her role to focus on what she appears to be good at, and not what she is evidently not good at? Rep. Richard Hudson (R) introduced national reciprocity for concealed carry in the 118th Congress on Monday night. Jen passed away on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, at the age of 46. always works better. Visit our Facebook gallery to see photos of the construction process. Need a Consultation? We are sad to announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon of Sylva, North Carolina. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. I wouldnt say UNCA students can afford it, but I also bet they dont actually get in for free I bet UNCA has a deal with AAM and pays a set amount per year for students to access it. Its clear that Ms. Myers has the support of the museums board. I was docent president at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and because of this had a seat on the board. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. 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? This is a story with more questions to explore and report on. Admission is now $15 for two floors of art as the second floor just has a children's hands on art room. Conflict is not abuse, and Ms. Myers and her Board are reacting in an immature and disappointing way to vital public discourse. Inappropriate behavior? Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE Chair of the Board @ foundation, museum, inn, & school. On view November 18 through March 20! 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. 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. As a Member, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits while providing vital support for the Museums engaging education programs and innovative exhibitions. Support the creative future of our region and donate today. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. But that is how privilege rolls. 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 This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. I am aghast at some of the comments on the recent articles, as well as those from current AAM board members. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. 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. 2021 summary creative future of our region and donate today i can is. 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