Inappropriate behavior? We are the only nonprofit visual arts museum serving all 24 counties in Western North Carolina. Conflict is not abuse, and Ms. Myers and her Board are reacting in an immature and disappointing way to vital public discourse. Former trustee Michelle Weitzman claims her removal was a retaliatory action by the North Carolina institution's director, Pamela Myers, following an substantial investigation by the . This is no joke. 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. Critique, challenge, and transparency all come with leadership. Kerry Martin, Community Volunteer. The museum appears to be "in really good shape," said board member Michelle Weitzman. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. 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!. 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. 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. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. The Museum is nearing the end of the final phase! . Candace Reilly, one of six former employees who complained to the trustees in 2015, told Asheville Watchdog the board had a chance to do the right thing, but chose to support Myers. Please, check your inbox! This should be more a group effort.. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Once again, the wealthy establishment of Asheville shows that they will brook no questioning of their divine right to rule. The normal length of the meeting is two hours. Open daily 11 am - 6 pm. How were these funds stewarded? The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Sounds like Myers is very good at acquiring funds. CEO expert in marketing/PR, global fundraising authority, streaming Exec. (And, sorry I just dont see how those who fire someone for speaking out can use the word cancel culture. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Who can clean up the Asheville Art Museum? She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. 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. 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. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. In a town as small as Asheville, everyone knows everyone and there is no scandal in that. 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. The first floor had minimal art, just some in the lobby and framed photography. One must assume that Ms. Myers makes all major curatorial decisions, also. In addition to the regular board meetings, the board holds work sessions one week prior to the regular . The KIA is a nonprofit, so the contract is public knowledge, but I am a friend of many of those who have left the museum and have been very supportive of them. The salary is probably in line with what other people at that level get paid, and Im sure that there are more than enough private donations to cover her salary so that no tax-payer dollars are used. The Asheville Art Museums vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. Learn More{{/message}}. I am aware of at least 15 full time staff that have quit just this year. It was not an attack.. Tickets are non-refundable. And AAM gets that money whether or not students go. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? A gift to the Capital Campaign is a gift to our communitys future. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Board members support the ADA's mission to be a leader and advocate for the vitality of downtown Asheville. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. Do Pam Myers and the museum have any self-awareness at all? 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. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Op Ed published on 9/29/13 in the Asheville Citizen Times City Wise to Invest in Museum Expansion. It is up to our community of artists and supporters of the arts to speak up and advocate for our institution and its health, and insist on the Board and especially Ms. Myers resignation. A docent was permanently removed from the board and the docent corps for speaking up about the director. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. The Asheville Art Museum in Downtown Asheville is an excellent experience for any visitor and local resident. 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. 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. Meyers has and is doing an incredible job I moved here same year as Meyers. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Support the creative future of our region and donate today. Below is a brief time lapse video of some of the demolition and rebuilding work that occurredat 2 South Pack Square in 2018. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Sep 2021 - Present1 year 5 months. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. 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. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. 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? Can I help pay off kids school lunch debts? It is a distinct and dangerous part of the problem. 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. / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. Watchdog has succeeded spectacularly in offering one side of it. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. This should be more a group effort.. 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/. Read more about the new building. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. When we visited, there was a temporary exhibit of recently donated Southern Folk Art (think: the ubiquitous and prolific Howard Finster and unschooled artists such as Finster), and a collection of modernist design from the mid-20th. The Asheville Symphony Sessions; 2021 Virtual Concert Series; News & Press; ASO Radio; Education. The Asheville Art Museum presents exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success. John Dalberg-Acton. 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. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. 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. 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 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. The Asheville Art Museum has a high-quality collection of artifacts and visual arts representing the rich history of Western North Carolina. Inappropriate behavior? But that is how privilege rolls. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Asheville, NC 28801. Without it we get a situation like this. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. Asheville Art Museum The newly renovated Asheville Art Museum at night 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. What are the next steps, people? 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. She and other current board members, as well as past board . Late night Thursdays until 9 pm. To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. 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. I have never forgotten this episode. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. DIGITAL EXHIBITION: Dear Lorna, Love Ray features letters written by Ray Johnson to Lorna Blaine Halper while Johnson was a student at Black Mountain College. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. Your involvement is essential, now and in the future. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. 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. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. To schedule a group tour please contact us at info@blackmountaincollege.org. The Disturbing Details Behind the Bird Flu and Egg Prices. Righteous indignation feels great, but solves nothing. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. If the city and/or county are providing significant support to the museum, it would seem appropriate that they have presence on the museum board. Imperious , high handed acts rarely work well. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman 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.. This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. 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. Cons The biggest con of working at the Museum is the Executive Director. 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. 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. I spoke to current board members when I left, but clearly no action was take. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. What I find to be the most concerning is the salary of the director at approximately $167,000 of taxpayer funds. 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.. 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.. I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. Some art lovers thank their lucky stars for Meyers. I tried to stand in front of Pam. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Just because a person is adept at fundraising does not make them suited to be an executive director who directly manages (a fluctuating number of) employees. 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. Hoping AAM administrators will learn from the internal and external feedback and make changes for the good of their employees and the city. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. 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 all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. 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. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. I would love to see a deep dive into the funding of the museum. 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