At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. I was active in the discussions during the founding of Pack Place and have been a close observer and frequent critic of the Asheville Art Museum since the Civic Center basement days. Is the Asheville Art Museum a public institution meant to serve citizens or merely Ms. Myers house and the boards plaything. Really good health insurance. After an exodus of five Board members this summer, the remaining members have not yet shown that they value Museum staff above the reputation of Myers. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. CEO expert in marketing/PR, global fundraising authority, streaming Exec. I am aghast at some of the comments on the recent articles, as well as those from current AAM board members. Yes, John Grooms! Every request was honored, Krider said. Answer Man: Price for natural gas up almost 50 percent? 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. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Why? for dates. 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. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. The Asheville Art Museum's facility at 2 South Pack Square. 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. If you cant discuss the efficacy of an organization and the way things are done as a member of that organizations board of directors, where exactly should one go to have that discussion? Visit a chosen artwork in the galleries for inspiration, then, Steve Lapointes nine years of classical piano as a youth grounded him in music theory. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. Open daily 11am6pm. Does BeLoved Asheville clean up after homeless people? Reports by employees of mistreatment, and authoritarian management should always be regarded and investigated. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. This petition starter stood up and took action. The Asheville Symphony Sessions; 2021 Virtual Concert Series; News & Press; ASO Radio; Education. Stop wagging your finger, didnt even notice I was doing it., Krider said all Weitzman did was tell me where Pam was standing and repeat something she had already apparently said that working for her is really difficult or however she worded it.. The entire Board is failing to uphold its responsibility and purpose by not taking the Museum employees and their advocates as their first priority. 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. 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. 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. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. The goal of these articles is to challenge the Board to do just that. She was a beloved mother, sister . The Museum is nearing the end of the final phase! 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. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. The Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. 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. Thats absurd, Krider said. 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. 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. Open daily 11am6pm. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. 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. Dictatorships serve dictators and their minions. 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. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. This sounds EXACTLY like the art museum I used to work for. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. 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. Saenger then polled the trustees. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. This story is good work! Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE Chair of the Board @ foundation, museum, inn, & school. 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 . Saenger then polled the trustees. At some point words need to translate into both action and changed behavior, not just more words. Is there not something to this? Huff said. 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. Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . Youre no longer a volunteer.. 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. Staff are not and never have requested that the board acquiesce to a certain set of demands. Rep. Hudson Introduces National Reciprocity of Concealed Carry. 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. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. 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. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. This is no way to run any organization, let alone a supposedly not for profit arts organization. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. This responsibility overrides all styleand Acrylic and mixed media on board Dimensions. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. 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. 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 Are you kidding me? Sounds like Myers is very good at acquiring funds. 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. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. After getting a million or more from the City, is the Art Museum still enjoying public funding? You can . Opinion: Mark Meadows Skates on Voter Fraud Charge. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Please check the salaries of public school principals in Asheville and Buncombe County for comparison. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider 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.. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. I dont always agree with her, but I have immense respect for her and what she has accomplished for Asheville. New Address: 12710 Research Blvd. But, with the revelations coming from this and other articles, I now have to question my assumptions. Asheville Art Museum opening events All events are held at 2 S. Pack Square. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. 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. Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Current and former employees, volunteers and board members of the Asheville Art Museum describe a workplace that is "beyond toxic," an Asheville Watchdog investigation found. 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. I have never forgotten this episode. Clearly there has been a consistent and ongoing pattern of abuse of volunteers and employees by Ms. Myers, which quite frankly reads like nothing short of a reign of terror .very very bad public relations no matter how magnificent your prized glass edifice there in Pack Square is. 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. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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 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 would love to see a deep dive into the funding of the museum. The Museums expansion and renovation project has consisted of different carefully planned phases: renovation/preservation of the North Wing (1926 Pack Library building); demolition work on the Museums East Wing and core; and the construction of the new building and glass faade. 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. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. The high handed kicking her off of the board and a docent and as the representative of the docents sets in motion disastrous community relations problems. Support: 14 7/8 x 15 in. She imperiously, very rudely and with great toxicity showed me the door. Thats not common practice. 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. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. Kate Meehan, Idaho National Laboratory. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra; Friends of the ASYO; Hip Hop Folktale Project; Music in the Schools; Young People's Concerts; Symphony Talk; MusicWorks; About Us. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. Exhibition Title: Asheville Art . She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Kids under 15 should be allowed in at no cost if art is to be advanced now the fee is $10 for those same aged kids. Asheville loves art, of course, but they also despise bullies. The new Museum will be a celebration of the human creative spirit, a center for lifelong learning and a gathering place for the community. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. We need a Museum that honors art handlers, curators, communications staff, docents, program leaders, and community builders alike. Wonder if the job description for director of finance and operations includes wine glass removal. 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. Conflict is not abuse, and Ms. Myers and her Board are reacting in an immature and disappointing way to vital public discourse. The Asheville Art Museum is a private nonprofit 501c3 (not public). The only people still working at the KIA that were there when the director came 8 years ago are the maintenance men (after getting $605K in PPP, she only rehired maintenance, not anyone she laid off). I totally agree, David. How out of touch & elitist. 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. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. I have a feeling yall are going to regret your fumble here. . You said to me you will not stand down on this. I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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. Not the museum itself, just the board. Shame! Can I help pay off kids school lunch debts? Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. It was not an attack.. 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. Asheville-born 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. Based on these articles, the museum board is composed and operating based on a friends and family and buddy system style approach that ensures most if not all members will agree to self protect each other and fend off critiques. 2 South Pack Square. Krider said she told Myers, Why do you think you can just stonewall people who are really struggling to understand your role and some of whats been going on here? , According to Weitzman, Benites got defensive and said, I dont think this is appropriate, and Pam said, Im hosting a party. , Weitzman said Krider was shaking her finger at Myers but stopped when Myers asked her to. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. The Museum was founded in 1948, and we've had many wonderful years of growth. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. 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 dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. 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. Is there a chance NC electoral votes will be split? This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. To be banished from the palace on Park Square seems to be a common pathway. The ArtWORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign has been very successful due to the generosity of our board of trustees, close supporters, government, foundation, and corporate supporters from within Buncombe County, North Carolina, and nationally. 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. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. This series of stories, with its tone of personal attack, is not helpful, either to the museum or to Asheville Watchdog. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now. But we have been updating inside and out, to build on our past and move forward so that we may thrive far into the 21st century. You said to me you will not stand down on this. I dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. She should stick to that. 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. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. 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. 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. 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. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A Hell Art Museum. Asheville Police spokeswoman Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. I think well move on with our agenda now.
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