It was not an attack.. CEO expert in marketing/PR, global fundraising authority, streaming Exec. With the Museums major renovation and expansion project comes even greater opportunities to transform lives through art. Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. And the sycophants & lickspittles fawning over her psyche & clamoring on how theyve been emotionally upset by this icky reality thing. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. 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. 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. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. . Grand Opening Celebration, Saturday, Nov. 9, 6-10 p.m., $225 . 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. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. Please, check your inbox! The Museum is nearing the end of the final phase! An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. You may have built the house, but setting up a throne in it makes a rotten endeavor. Certainly should not be punished for it ! Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. 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. 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 high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Inappropriate behavior? Read more about our Capital Campaign effort. 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. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. It was not an attack.. To create a vibrant environment for the arts and artists. We want everyone to have access to our stories. 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. Leave, I did. I think well move on with our agenda now. Without it we get a situation like this. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. 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. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. This should be more a group effort.. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. On view November 18 through March 20! The Adult Studio program was popular as all of my classes were filled to overflowing. Kill the messenger certainly sends a message to the employees Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Such a shame. I am sad that the place I called my sanctuary and loved being at has been so tarnished. How many people did they do this to? It was a pleasure serving with her on the Board the entire time I was on it. Need a Consultation? Your email address will not be published. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. Youre no longer a volunteer.. The fact that many have shared this sentiment and the board continues to take no meaningful action is ludicrous. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Weitzman was the only current trustee who agreed to be interviewed for the Watchdog investigative story and was quoted saying the museum looks really pretty on the outside. 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. 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. Wish I had a membership so I could cancel it! Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. Every request was honored, Krider said. Great work, Watchdog Team. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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.. I totally agree, David. Saenger then polled the trustees. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. The number of staff that many principals manage far outweighs the art museum staff. I am not the least surprised by anything I have recently read about her managerial style. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Based on these articles, the museum board is composed and operating based on a friends and family and buddy system style approach that ensures most if not all members will agree to self protect each other and fend off critiques. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Not the museum itself, just the board. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. Yeah because ALL THE BOARD CARES ABOUT is all the $$ that she raised, and they care nothing for the underpaid/unpaid small people she bullied and abused over the years. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. New Address: 12710 Research Blvd. Every request was honored, Krider said. 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. We need a Museum that honors art handlers, curators, communications staff, docents, program leaders, and community builders alike. Sunday Funday the Old-Fashioned Way! 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. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. The boards angry internal interactions give credibility to accusations of a toxic work environment. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. The Asheville Art Museum presents exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. 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. I cant tell you how much I appreciate your support. It is up to staff and board to assess and address Museum health and not be complacent. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. Thats not common practice. 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 . Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. Every request was honored, Krider said. Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the 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. Researches Biltmore's fine and decorative art collections and history to support internal and external communications as well as exhibitions, publications, and training and educational materials . Oh, and I love the quote.. Youre in my house. .reminds me of another psychopath were all unfortunately all too familiar with. [1] Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Support: 14 7/8 x 15 in. The new Asheville Art Museum facility enhances the Museum's presentations of American art of the 20 th and 21 st . Saenger then polled the trustees. What is happening at art museums? As a relatively new resident of Asheville, I admired the quality of two exhibits I saw at the Museum recently and was seriously thinking about becoming a member. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. "negro dog" "red light" house 4-H Club 10th Cavalry Regiment 50th anniversary 60th anniversary 100th anniversary 135th Regiment 500 block 1619 A.M.E. church A.M.E. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church abandoned building abandoned cemetery abandoned child aboriginal people abortion Abraham Lincoln abuse access road accidental death accidental injury accident . Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. development, and promotion of craft titles and art gallery books. By the way, not only was my seat removed from the board, but also the seat of the other person who voted against the contract. People must stand up to workplace bullies from the start. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. 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. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. 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. 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. And AAM gets that money whether or not students go. Workers are expendable. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. The Asheville Art Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums that 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 that believes that a great nation deserves great art. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. whichhe continued to create over the course of his career as an art director and into his personal work after retirement. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. The Asheville Art Museum in Downtown Asheville is an excellent experience for any visitor and local resident. We should all be grateful for what she has done? After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. 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. They dont want to hear. 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.. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. I, for one, will have no interest in the Art Museum until this issue is addressed and employees are given a voice. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. 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