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. We are the only nonprofit visual arts museum serving all 24 counties in Western North Carolina. 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 I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Thats absurd, Krider said. The old powers get nervous and forget decency, all in the name of saving the good work weve done when its actually their own egos theyre defending and their positions of prestige and public notice theyre clinging to. The Asheville Art Museum presents exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. She makes more than the people running the city government. 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.. I am sad that the place I called my sanctuary and loved being at has been so tarnished. Is there not something to this? Huff said. 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.. I totally agree, David. Youre no longer a volunteer.. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Thats absurd, Krider said. Kathleen A. The number of staff that many principals manage far outweighs the art museum staff. 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. 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. Kill the messenger certainly sends a message to the employees 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. A majority of the museum's board has remained steadfast to Myers, the museum's director since 1995, despite complaints by former employees in 2015 and again in 2021. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Jazz studies while in Ithaca, NY, opened his ears to. Leave, I did. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A He ll Art Museum. Asheville Police spokeswoman Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. 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. 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. I hardly said anything. 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. When will these leaders ever learn that a toxic environment doesnt benefit the institution. 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. I am a former AAM member, but gave up donating awhile back when the staff turnover showed that the negative work environment was effecting the entire institution. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. 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 . So California Woke values complainer got the boot for causing problems. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. 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 what it is worth, my observation is that departmental staff come and go frequently. Alas, Ms. Weitzman is no longer there as a gadfly. Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR), originally Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport straddling the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, New Jersey.Located about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark, it is a major gateway to points in Europe . Pre-purchased online tickets and walk-in tickets are available. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. 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. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. 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. 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? Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. 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. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. 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. Deja vu all over again! How do we get rid of Myers and her bootlickers on the Board? The argument is that she has consistently failed at other very vital parts of her job and the Board has been relatively inefficient at addressing them seriously and effectively. Apparently they built Pams house and thats all we need to know. Inappropriate behavior? Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Rep. Richard Hudson (R) introduced national reciprocity for concealed carry in the 118th Congress on Monday night. If youre able, please consider supporting the Museum through a donation; by becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership; or by shopping or purchasing a gift card in the Museum Store. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. We need a Museum that supports every person involved in creating and sustaining exhibitions, programs, building its permanent collection, and upholding the institutions mission to engage with all who walk through its great glass doors. We should all be grateful for what she has done? David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. . It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. 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. The board has twice brought in an executive coach in 2015 after six former employees complained about the museum's management to trustees, and again in 2021 after eight other ex-staffers voiced their concerns to Huff and Green. Watchdog has succeeded spectacularly in offering one side of it. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? Simply give us a . Opinion: Mark Meadows Skates on Voter Fraud Charge. In the spring of 2021, the board voted on the directors new contract. Right so lets get the courts involved here since the Board there at the glass palace/ fortress has shown itself incapable of anything but a bunker mentality in regard to this -gone on way too long- travesty. Great work, Watchdog Team. 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. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Please, check your inbox! Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. If not, there is the sound of inevitability in this story of potentially escalating to a whole new level, with a lot more attention than the museum or board would appreciate. Asheville 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. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Certainly should not be punished for it ! How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! Our Story; Guild; Chorus; Symphonettes; Music Director Darko Butorac; Musicians . Currently, she is supervising the reinstallation of the Museum's American collection, as part of the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan. Has Pam done anything unethical or illegal? Chloe O'Laughlin, Harris Publishing. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. 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. 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. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. I am privileged to serve on LCE's Board of Directors and its Finance Committee. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. Are you kidding me? I have never experienced someone with so little emotional intelligence and managerial ability. Rep. Hudson Introduces National Reciprocity of Concealed Carry. [1] . The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Is the Asheville Art Museum a public institution meant to serve citizens or merely Ms. Myers house and the boards plaything. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. Established by artists in 1948, Asheville Art Museum works to transform lives through art. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. She couldnt have cared less. In fact, she is no longer there as a volunteer. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. This. I have heard rumblings about the hostile work environment at AAM for years but I had no idea how bad it was/is. One must assume that Ms. Myers makes all major curatorial decisions, also. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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.. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. Answer Man: Price for natural gas up almost 50 percent? 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