And at what cost to the employees? The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Asheville Art Museum Collections. 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. Is there a chance NC electoral votes will be split? and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. Below is a brief time lapse video of some of the demolition and rebuilding work that occurredat 2 South Pack Square in 2018. 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. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Watchdog has succeeded spectacularly in offering one side of it. Checks and balances must be in place for all employees including executive management. This all sounds like a vanity project that continues under an implicit threat of being fired, thrown off the board, or Ill hold my breath until I turn blue, then Ill take my toys (money) and go home and then youll be sorry!. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. 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. Never miss an update by signing up for our free Watchdog News Alerts, delivered directly to your inbox. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. 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 Asheville Art Museum is the sole museum to garner three Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Awards in the 2022 competition! Saenger then polled the trustees. Our Vision + Mission: To transform lives through art. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? The series will feature talented young North Carolina artists who are pursuing a concert career, performing in the atrium of the museum, said Polly Feitzinger, ACMS board member and program chair. 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. 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.. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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. It is lazy. The Asheville Art Museum in Downtown Asheville is an excellent experience for any visitor and local resident. As a long term Asheville Art Museum member, donor, former volunteer, former Gallery Associate, and current Adult Studio instructor, I am little more than an outside observer to the day to day operations of the museum so this story has been revealing. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Ousted Trustee Describes Culture of Fear at Asheville Art Museum, Hyperallergic, 11/18/22, https://hyperallergic.com/781084/ousted-trustee-describes-culture-of-fear-at-asheville-art-museum/, Trustee Who Criticized Director Is Ousted from Art Museum Board, Asheville Watchdog, 11/17/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/trustee-ousted-from-museum-board/, Not A Pretty Picture at the Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Watchdog, 11/9/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/not-a-pretty-picture-at-the-asheville-art-museum/. From Asheville Watchdog: Trustee who criticized director is ousted from art museum board, Around Town: Literary series will focus on trees, nature in Jewish poetry, Local artists explore symbolism in new exhibit, Local creatives speak to the power of comedy, Green in brief: Conserving Carolina to expand Bracken Mountain Preserve, From AVL Watchdog: Information about holiday water failures is trickling out, as Asheville officials meet in private, Council to vote on water review committee Jan. 10, Deadline to submit writing & art for Xpress Kids Issues approaching, From Asheville Watchdog: City Council, mayor and staff hold closed-door meetings, sowing distrust, Early traffic woes spark updates to Ashevilles trolley system, 1923-24, From CPP: The uncertain future of old-growth forests in North Carolina, part four, City school board OKs Asheville Primary shelter plan, Green in brief: Asheville protects land at Mills River water plant. For immediate assistance or general inquiries, please call 828.253.3227. The Museums staff and board of trustees want to hear from you. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. But that is how privilege rolls. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. The Appleby Exhibition Hall was not open so if that part was open there may be more art in there. Asheville Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . Our Story; Guild; Chorus; Symphonettes; Music Director Darko Butorac; Musicians . How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! 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. Is there not something to this? Huff said. The number of staff that many principals manage far outweighs the art museum staff. Theyre not hearing. 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. Its an art museum of American art, thats its sole focus. 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. Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. We need your help to continue serving as a source of knowledge and inspiration during these uncertain times. And the sycophants & lickspittles fawning over her psyche & clamoring on how theyve been emotionally upset by this icky reality thing. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. Who can clean up the Asheville Art Museum? The normal length of the meeting is two hours. Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. 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. 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. I cant tell you how much I appreciate your support. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. LOL. I hardly said anything. We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. 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. Leave, I did. Yeah because ALL THE BOARD CARES ABOUT is all the $$ that she raised, and they care nothing for the underpaid/unpaid small people she bullied and abused over the years. Its an embarrassment. Which, come to think of it might be precisely what it is ;) anyhoo Stay Tuned!! If the city and/or county are providing significant support to the museum, it would seem appropriate that they have presence on the museum board. I have heard rumblings about the hostile work environment at AAM for years but I had no idea how bad it was/is. Open daily 11am6pm. To provide an open, supportive work environment where Staff can thrive. They dont want to hear. Info and tickets at ashevilleart.org/opening. 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. Support: 14 7/8 x 15 in. Rep. Richard Hudson (R) introduced national reciprocity for concealed carry in the 118th Congress on Monday night. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. 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. Answer Man: Where are the street sweepers? 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. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Asheville loves art, of course, but they also despise bullies. 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. 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. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. I am not the least surprised by anything I have recently read about her managerial style. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Some people are really great at certain functions. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. It was not an attack.. 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. Ms. Stackhouse, no one is arguing that Pam did a good job (in certain parts of her job). Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. And for the museum, it was a great place to start a conversation about how the next century of artists from the mountains of North Carolina might continue to shape creative expression in America. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. I see lawsuits as several laws appear to have been violated. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Open daily 11am6pm. 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. A docent was permanently removed from the board and the docent corps for speaking up about the director. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. She is the Treasurer of the Mid America Print Council executive board 2022-2024, and resides in Asheville NC with the goal of bringing a bit of Print League KC to the Blue Ridge Mountains by opening another community print shop. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Every request was honored, Krider said. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. 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. She was a beloved mother, sister . 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. 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. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. 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. 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. I, and another board member, opposed the contract because of the directors extreme salary and benefits while maintaining a toxic working environment ($242K this year with a $35K bonus if shes still here next month). Just because a person is adept at fundraising does not make them suited to be an executive director who directly manages (a fluctuating number of) employees. To be banished from the palace on Park Square seems to be a common pathway. How many people did they do this to? The nine-member board manages the endowment's investments, supporting ongoing operations and growth, and oversees art acquisitions and care of the collection. The Asheville Art Museum is a private nonprofit 501c3 (not public). For the record, I am canceling my membership. My long time experience with organizations tells me that this situation will fester and not go away. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Theyre not hearing. I tried to stand in front of Pam. Deja vu all over again! Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). Simply give us a . 2 South Pack Square. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. 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. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. personality issues.A working, functional board should encourage a range of views. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? She couldnt have cared less. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees knew, the day after the,! 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