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. Admission is now $15 for two floors of art as the second floor just has a children's hands on art room. Chloe O'Laughlin, Harris Publishing. I believe suing the Asheville Art Museum Board of Trustees for willful and ongoing negligence in regard to their statutory obligations is probably the most expedient avenue forward here. 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. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Theyre not hearing. We need your help to continue serving as a source of knowledge and inspiration during these uncertain times. Why? Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. 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. 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.. Katyal: Trial and Conviction of Trump 'Real Possibility in Georgia' MSNBC contributor Neal Katyal said Monday on MSNBC's "The Last Word" that former President Donald Trump w Such a shame. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. To create a vibrant environment for the arts and artists. I am disappointed that the Board of the Museum is so insecure that the only way they can deal with differences is by throwing out the person who differs with the majority view. The Museum was founded in 1948, and weve had many wonderful years of growth. 828-350-8484. info@blackmountaincollege.org. 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. Righteous indignation feels great, but solves nothing. We share your inclination to get the whole story. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. 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. Mark-Ellis Bennett asheville art museum board of directors. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Give us a call at 828.253.3227 x114 to connect. The issues with the director of the art museum are certainly concerning. 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. Admission is charged for non-members. This. Having said that, my guess is that this situation will not end well for Meyers or the board if the current direction continues. Please join us, the artists, arts professionals, and arts leaders of Western North Carolina, in signing this petition to remove Pam Myers from her position and start the process of reestablishing trust and transparency with our entire community. Dictatorships serve dictators and their minions. 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. 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 work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. I think this is horrible., Zahler added that he was supposed to be making the motion to remove Weitzman, but obviously I got on a little too late I would like to second that motion.. 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. 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. The Museum acknowledges that it is situated upon the ancient, southern Appalachian ancestral homeland of the Cherokee Tribe and that this region is still the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians today. A salary of $167,000 of taxpayer funds could be partially allocated to the leadership of our schools. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Which, come to think of it might be precisely what it is ;) anyhoo Stay Tuned!! So it makes me ill and incensed to think that behind those excellent exhibits lies an abusive work environment that has gone on for years, unchallenged by the very people whose job it is to resolve such matters. If so, time for a review/investigation to assist the Board in seeing the light? We are sad to announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon of Sylva, North Carolina. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro College Department of Art presents Kenn Kotara's exhibition, "social geometries," Oct. 15-Nov. 15 in the Anne Rudd Galyon Gallery, and the Irene Cullis Galley in the Cowan Humanities Building on campus. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. On view November 18 through March 20! 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 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. Need a Consultation? Certainly should not be punished for it ! Answer Man: Price for natural gas up almost 50 percent? Through his work, Roland engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and other deeply human experiences. 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. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. 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. Watchdog has succeeded spectacularly in offering one side of it. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. Exhibition Title: Asheville Art . . I would like to also point out that the Museum has not had an official Curator since shortly after reopening in 2019. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. 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. Board members support the ADA's mission to be a leader and advocate for the vitality of downtown Asheville. sorry, that should have read: [this] reminds me of another highly manipulative/ vindictive psychopath Anyway, really, the powers to be in the City of Asheville/ Buncombe County now is the time for some serious damage control because I highly doubt this is going away anytime soon. Michelle Weitzman // Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego. The top-down arrogance (Youre in my house) is appalling and is too typical of what happens when a former backwater city gains some fame, albeit largely through tourism. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. I would hope that they have more skills and resources to deal with conflict than exclusion. Rebel/Re-Belle: Exploring Gender, Agency, and Identity | Selections from the Asheville Art Museum and Rubell Museum combines works from two significant collections of contemporary art to explore how artists have innovated, influenced, interrogated, and inspired visual culture in the past 100 years. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. 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. Open daily 11am6pm. 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. 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. 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. 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. My long time experience with organizations tells me that this situation will fester and not go away. Checks and balances must be in place for all employees including executive management. 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. Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. Sounds like Myers is very good at acquiring funds. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. I couldnt have said it better myself. 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