Considering all the current conversation about her quest for perfection, I came away thinking I dont count for much in her world view. 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. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. Every request was honored, Krider said. 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. Today, more than 500 members serve on the Smithsonian's Advisory Boards. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. An art museum director salary varies based on the level of experience, geographical location, and other factors. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. 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. Culture of Fear and Toxic Leadership Cited, Myers has been the focus of employee complaints. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. For immediate assistance or general inquiries, please call 828.253.3227. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new 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.. She never responded. Theyre so thin-skinned.. If so, I havent seen it. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. 120 College St, Asheville . Open daily 11am6pm. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration features more than 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. How out of touch & elitist. Open Thursdays 11am9pm | Reserve tickets now. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. 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. 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. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. 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. Students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. Christine Del Re seems to be taking a rather defensive posture, and an unbalanced one at that, while distracting from the problems at the museum. Yes, she can be harsh and demanding, but who wants typos and bad grammar on a press release? This has nothing to do with taking constructive criticism for writing mistakes or annoyance for pitching in after events or programs. One third of the board's members also serve as trustees for the . 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. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Learn More{{/message}}. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. It struck me at the time that it was odd she couldnt take five minutes to dash off a quick note. do koalas have poisonous claws. 200,000+ Visitors. On view through May 15! In response to Asheville Watchdogs story last month, the board stood by Myers, and at its next meeting removed an outspoken trustee, Michelle Weitzman, the only member to speak publicly about employee complaints, for what the board chair described as a pattern of disruptive behavior., The board made very clear theyre going to do absolutely nothing, Reilly said. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. I hardly said anything. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Momentum Gallery 13 Art Galleries Literary, Art & Music Tours By 858wandar An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museums board, the only current trustee to speak publicly about employee complaints of mistreatment, was recently ousted from the board and removed as a museum volunteer. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? 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. where is the house in the carvana commercial. 0 . 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 Museums future, and call for the removal of Pam Myers as Executive Director.. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Every request was honored, Krider said. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. 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. PRIVATE EXHIBIT VIEWING 7:00 P.M. CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE Darko Butorac, conductor Experience your Symphony in a new way. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. The Asheville Art Museums vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. David Menconi. 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. People must stand up to workplace bullies from the start. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. Its just troublemakers.. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. If you love unique and creative art, definitely drop in here. Go-getter type of person who is aware how to work with established brands, arts styles, 2D and 3D artists and can smoothly lead the team of 2D and 3D to preserve the brand . Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. Opinion: Fewer restrictions on guns? The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. I look at her as a hero, said Judy Hamill, a museum donor. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman 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. As a Member, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits while providing vital support for the Museums engaging education programs and innovative exhibitions. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? The Board of Trustees meets regularly throughout the year and hosts the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Annual Meeting which presents the institution's goals and showcases its accomplishments to stakeholders, members, and the community. Will the Board continue to sit on their hands while this environment is allowed to fester? This is not harsh and demanding. We want everyone to have access to our stories. 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. fillmore county journal police reports; zillow dixon, ca; january 26, 2004 moon sign; won the 1989 group of the year juno award codycross; ncis jack sloane baby daddy; can we eat jackfruit during . Or perhaps the organization cares only what its funders think and not the staff or general public. 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. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. You can blame it on the staff all you want to. Saenger then polled the trustees. See here for our terms of service. Leaves me wondering what nerve was touched that sent this reader into such a defensive stance. People world-wide can now explore the Museums diverse Collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art online from the comfort of their homes. I see lawsuits as several laws appear to have been violated. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. The Asheville Art Museum is a regional affiliate partner of the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosting an annual juried competition for students in grades 7-12 from all across Western North Carolina. Pam has a platform and could issue a statement at any time. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Good luck. The Theater is just one of the many examples of community relationships that are strained. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. Required fields are marked *. Aug 2016 - Present6 years 7 months. Please, check your inbox! From this it is easy to infer the strategy of the organization is simply to say nothing and just hope it all blows over at some point. 4. There were absurd breaches of my personal and professional boundaries. 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.. You may get billed for that. The Best of Asheville: Private 2.5-hour Walking Tour By Travel Curious - Asheville City Tours 2-3 hours Experience all that Asheville has to offer with a private 2.5-hour highlights tour led by an experienced local guide who Free cancellation from $170.00 per adult Reserve Travelers talk about " permanent collection " (10 reviews) " black mountain We refuse to continue being verbally and emotionally abused; we refuse to be gaslit and silenced when we defend ourselves, the letter said. 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.. Trustees, who serve voluntarily, are passionate advocates for the mission and vision of the Frist Art Museum. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdogstory appeared. 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. In that time has there been any kind of official response from the organization, its board or director? If there are additional episodes of improper staff involvement, I will bring this to the trustees to consider your continuing on the board., On 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. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Comprised of artwork created from 2016 to the present, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze reflects on making something from nothing, lemonade from lemons, the best of a situation. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. 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. Capes constructed of mylar burst with energy and rustle with subtle sound, the shining material a signifier of care, awareness, displacement, and presence. Apologies! Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. I chalk it up to there being better opportunities for staff elsewhere. However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. 2023 Officers Jamie Winderbaum FernandezChair Cathy GrantVice Chair Penny VinikVice Chair Tom HochhauslerTreasurer Kenneth PagesSecretary Dianne JacobPast Chair 2023 Board of Trustees Allison Casper Adams Belinda Alexander Pat Carter Sandra [] It just makes me livid., And the board is closing ranks, Bleakney said, instead of responding with possibly a community roundtable or a community forum, a way to open up and connect and talk about these issues.. On view through March 6! But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Adopted as an educational framework, particularly in social justice and ethnic studies, Olin guides individuals through a process of reflection, action, reconciliation, and transformation. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. I tried to stand in front of Pam. 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.. What is it with people these days? Ive seen her wash the dishes after big events; she expected us to pitch in too. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. Tickets are non-refundable. 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. This has led Hill to incorporate the idea of Olinthe Nahuatl word for the natural rhythms of the universein Aztec cosmology in her work. Company size 11-50 employees Headquarters Asheville, NC Type Nonprofit Founded 1948 Specialties Fine art museum specialising in contemporary American Art, 20th century to present, BMC,. I was often told by Pam government organizations, local funders, and others didnt support the arts in Asheville-it was made very clear they did not support her. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. 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