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.. Boca Raton Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, marital status, national origin, citizenship, creed, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, age, veteran status, mental or . She gives off a very let them eat cake! vibe. Much like their reaccreditation, grants, and other projects they are constantly asking for extensions. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Asheville Community Theatre | Business Manager. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. 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. Where is that information and why not presented here? Posted on 26 Feb in delores winans grandchildren. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Years ago I wrote Pam Myers about an exhibit concept that would feature the design community of Asheville as a vibrant collection of talented professionals doing breakthrough work. No data on how many employees that worked at the AAM during the last 10 years who have not signed this mud-slinging article. Never had any direct interaction with her but this article helps make more sense of why it seemed like such an unhappy place. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. 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. And I am just appalled that a nonprofit could be run this way.. Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct a sources error in a quote about the museum where Myers worked before Asheville. 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. Shes not above helping, but it doesnt erase her mismanagement its another highlight of insufficient staff support. This success can be attributed to the great work the staff did in marketing and administration. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. 56 Broadway Street. Randy Shull, a prominent Asheville artist who served on the museums board for about 10 years, said he and his wife stopped donating to the museum over Myerss handling of a dispute around 2014 with the Diana Wortham Theater over space the two organizations shared in a cultural center called Pack Place. 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. 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. Pam Myers - Executive Director - Asheville Art Museum | LinkedIn Pam Myers Executive Director at Asheville Art Museum Asheville, North Carolina, United States 489 followers 483. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Asheville Art Museum Art Exhibit: RAUSCHENBERG: A Gift in Your Pocket Mar 1 @ 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center Asheville Gallery of Art "Awakenings" Group Show Mar 1 @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Asheville Gallery of Art Luzene Hill: Revelate Mar 1 @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Asheville Art Museum 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. Grace is a 2021 participant in the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy Management Accelerator and a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. What happened to free First Wednesday admission to Asheville Art Museum? Glass works and mix media. Board mem- The Museum is moving with awareness and commitment, through assessment, training and engagement, to implementation and accountability. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. She helps wash dishes because theres no events support staff, and the Membership/Events Manager position has turned over three times (or left vacant for many months) in the last two years alone. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. 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. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Women were considered sacred, involved in the decision-making process, and thrived within communities holding a worldview based on equilibrium. The Smithsonian's Advisory Boards provide advice, expertise, and assistance to the Institution's leadership on the widely diverse programs and operations of the Smithsonian. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. The Asheville Art Museum is committed to being an active leader against racism. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. This should be more a group effort.. So California Woke values complainer got the boot for causing problems. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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. so we have no idea how or whom to speak to when we dont want to speak to Pam; were talking about no on-boarding so if we do get it wrong and get berated, we had no way of preparing; were talking about a complete lack of trust and order from the top down (can you imagine if you start your job with your boss immediately mistrusting you and treating you like garbage? "We wanted the building to be . asheville art museum board of directors asheville art museum board of directors. Stop making the executive director position a vanity position for an effective fundraiser, and assign the position to a real qualified director. 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? Asheville Art Museum Exposed (@ashevilleartmuseumxposed) on Instagram. Museums and Communities News is our roundup of stories demonstrating the many ways AAMD member museums serve their communities David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. Asheville Art Museum. 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. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Stan Hastings, President. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. where is the house in the carvana commercial. Show your support for our community by helping us power authoritative, in-depth reporting, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it. Before Europeans arrived in North America, Indigenous societies were predominantly matrilineal. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. He said the controversy over Myers has been brewing for decades. 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. 6,000+ Collaborations with Artists + Organizations. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. 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. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Eight others complained to board members David Huff and Darren Green, beginning in 2020. Real answer: "When the Asheville Art Museum reopened in November 2019, we were able to offer the 'First Wednesday' program through funding received from a private foundation," museum . But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. She noted that Myers came from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. It is compliance and should fall to the CFO or COOin this case the same individualthe museum was under an extension when I arrived and remained so when I left. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. One third of the board's members also serve as trustees for the . If so, I havent seen it. Myers has been a divisive figure during her 27-year tenure at the museum. The reality though is that when this many people are this unhappy, there is a problem. 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. Re: Comments from Hamill (donor) For what it is worth, my observation is that departmental staff come and go frequently. It does appear there is a campaign in the community to keep this story alive, so how does remaining silent help? Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. This should be more a group effort.. West oversaw the Frye Art Museum's expansion and renovation, which was designed by Rick Sundberg of Olson Sundberg Kundig . Yeah were not talking about Pam being harsh and demanding with staff who werent doing a good job. Were talking about witnessing our colleagues get told they are whiny babies when they are sexually harassed at work; were talking about being denied access to vital tools to do our jobs and then get yelled at when we are not able to do that job properly; were talking about consistently being ignored when we ask questions so that we can simply do our jobs better; were talking about being asked to work overtime for weeks on end and then not receive a proper break or compensation, only then to be told were not working hard enough; were talking about being subjected to a colleague who watched pornography in his office for years on end but no one wanted to report it because they were afraid Pam wouldnt believe them, then once finally reported he remained at AAM for weeks more; were talking about being told we are fucking idiots during public events when Pam didnt like where a table or garbage bin was placed; were talking about having no access to Human Resources or even a policy manual (!!) 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. 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.. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Ive kind of found myself in a situation of traveling and taking my work outside of the city to be able to make a living with it, and that is with the privilege of a university degree and a local culture that already privileges white artists., Maurer, 23, said UNCA trains students for a museum-centered career, but the museum caters to artists that are not based in Asheville and then takes that work and redirects it towards tourists., The museum was founded in 1948 by local artists. If this reader is interested in being even handed and balanced, where are the comments speaking to what is going on at the museum with its apparently comfortable complacent board, and an executive director who may be highly effective at raising money but who appears to not be qualified to manage people. Im honestly glad that you had a decent time at the Museum, but please dont brush off the cruelty that many of us experienced from her. 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. * Asheville Art Museum, Board of Trustees, 2012 - Present * High Museum of Art, Director's Circle, 2003 - 2006 * Marketing Director of various law firms in AZ, NY and ATL, 1997 -. 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. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. Theyre not hearing. They said Asheville represents itself as a progressive and inclusive city for LGBTQ artists, but the museum caters to a particular demographic that is no longer actually inclusive or representative of folks in the broader community here. What are the next steps, people? asheville art museum board of directors. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. 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. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. However, I have not taught a workshop nor class there in over a year. 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. The Museum, with the assistance of its volunteer docents and support from the Asheville Area Section of the American Institute of Architects, is proud to be a regional affiliate partner hosting the WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards each year. Leave, I did. Aug 2016 - Present6 years 7 months. 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. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. 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. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. 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. Considering all the current conversation about her quest for perfection, I came away thinking I dont count for much in her world view. As a Member, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits while providing vital support for the Museums engaging education programs and innovative exhibitions. 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. 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