The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. The building is beautiful. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. 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. 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. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. 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. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. The space within the building which comprises the Art Museum is leased to it by the City. 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.. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. 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. Rep. Hudson Introduces National Reciprocity of Concealed Carry. Thats absurd, Krider 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. 'I Look at Her as a Hero' The staff all seemed so pleasant, and my family enjoyed the art, staff and cafe. Once again, the wealthy establishment of Asheville shows that they will brook no questioning of their divine right to rule. 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. The Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. 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. 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.. Kathleen A. How do we get rid of Myers and her bootlickers on the Board? The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. It is up to staff and board to assess and address Museum health and not be complacent. 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. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. Hours + Location. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Enrich your involvement with the Museum by joining our vibrant family of Members. There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success. John Dalberg-Acton. The Asheville Art Museum is the sole museum to garner three Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Awards in the 2022 competition! Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. We fully believe in its vision to transform lives through art. Experience great art while mingling with fellow art lovers at an opening reception, watch a local ceramist throw a pot in her studio, discover new creative skills at a workshopall this and more. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Not the museum itself, just the board. Based on this, the staff IS pleasant, its their working environment that is not. "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 . 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. I tried to stand in front of Pam. 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. The museum appears to be "in really good shape," said board member Michelle Weitzman. Need a Consultation? Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. 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. Asheville I couldnt have said it better myself. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. However, I have not taught a workshop nor class there in over a year. 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. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. 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. It is lazy. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. As Peter Drucker once famously said, Culture eats strategy for breakfast and it seems that the culture of this institution is in need of repair. 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. Your email address will not be published. It is a distinct and dangerous part of the problem. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. Sunday Funday the Old-Fashioned Way! 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. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. We should all be grateful for what she has done? Art is certainly important, but the quality of the education leaders for our children should be primary. Staff & Board | Asheville Area Arts Council Staff Katie Cornell Executive Director 828.222.0436 katie@ashevillearts.com Bringing people together through the arts is Katie's passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. 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. Its all about money. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. 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. Meyers has and is doing an incredible job I moved here same year as Meyers. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. Apparently they built Pams house and thats all we need to know. And AAM gets that money whether or not students go. 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. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. 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. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. Please check the salaries of public school principals in Asheville and Buncombe County for comparison. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. 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. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Inappropriate behavior? See here for our terms of service. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. Through his work, Roland engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and other deeply human experiences. 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. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. 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. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Do Pam Myers and the museum have any self-awareness at all? Please, check your inbox! This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. 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. Leave, I did. Is there a chance NC electoral votes will be split? Your involvement is essential, now and in the future. 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. The Museum invites you to explore our outstanding Collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and to discover the richness of Western North Carolinas unique artistic history. My generals ..and my highly classified documents. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. 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. The Asheville Art Museum's facility at 2 South Pack Square. For immediate assistance or general inquiries, please call 828.253.3227. I am aware of at least 15 full time staff that have quit just this year. Pam should not have been in charge of day to day operations in 2015, and it is shocking that she still is. I spoke to current board members when I left, but clearly no action was take. The Museum is moving with awareness and commitment, through assessment, training and engagement, to implementation and accountability. This is no joke. 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. Which, come to think of it might be precisely what it is ;) anyhoo Stay Tuned!! Foster is the Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she has worked since 2002. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. She has been a relentless advocate for the Asheville Art Museum and has led its path to excellence. Board of Directors Patrick Chaffin | Ryman Hospitality Properties John Esposito | Warner Music Group Eddie George | Entrepreneur Kevin Green | Chartwell Hospitality Dr. Alex Jahangir | Vanderbilt Medical Center Doug Kreulen | President and CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Ken Levitan | Vector Management Kimberly Lewis | Emerson Grace January 23, 2020 GMAT coaching in Chandigarh/Punjab. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. The Appleby Exhibition Hall was not open so if that part was open there may be more art in there. 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. Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. 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. The Asheville Art Museum Collectors' Circle held their seventh annual selection dinner on January 17, 2011. Open daily 11am6pm. These are not adolescents whining for attention, promotions and pay raises. . Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. 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. , but clearly no action was take Weitzman and the museum appears to be & ;! 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