SECU Foundation awarded a grant to the Asheville Art Museum Association, Inc. to support the design, renovation and construction of the regional museum located in downtown Asheville. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. The first floor had minimal art, just some in the lobby and framed photography. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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.. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. Will you do the same? The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. We've recently sent you an authentication link. 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. Pre-purchased online tickets and walk-in tickets are available. I was impressed to know that the leader of an unpaid docent group held a position on the board. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Asheville Art Museum. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. 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. A few wine-drunk, middle-aged ladies bickering back and forth is the most hostile situation youve ever been in? Not something the CT would undertake. Thats not common practice. I tried to stand in front of Pam. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Simply give us a . The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. 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. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. [1] / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative View of the Jackson Building and City Hall from the museum's caf. 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. Asheville, NC 28801. Thats absurd, 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. She imperiously, very rudely and with great toxicity showed me the door. I couldnt have said it better myself. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. After all it is the legal and societal duty of a board member to question and chal- Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. 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.. Lori Barber, College of Eastern Idaho. Is there not something to this? Huff said. 'I Look at Her as a Hero' Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. 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. The new director came in Fall of 2014 and since then 31 people have quit. 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.. 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. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. . Sherrill Roland November 18, 2022-March 20, 2023 He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. Alas, Ms. Weitzman is no longer there as a gadfly. The goal of these articles is to challenge the Board to do just that. It is up to staff and board to assess and address Museum health and not be complacent. Those that dont agree to play that game will be made irrelevant or removed entirely. So we tear down the Vance Monument but leave the Queen of the Glass Palace in place? The staff all seemed so pleasant, and my family enjoyed the art, staff and cafe. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. We need your help to continue serving as a source of knowledge and inspiration during these uncertain times. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Having worked in a variety of jobs for a variety of cultural institutions, I have observed how success attributed to a single individual can have unanticipated consequences. Open Monday - Saturday 11am to 5pm. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Kerry Martin, Community Volunteer. Open daily 11am6pm. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. Please, check your inbox! I would love to see a deep dive into the funding of the museum. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Open daily 11am6pm. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. 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.. I chalk it up to there being better opportunities for staff elsewhere. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? A board that shuns this responsibility will lead to the demise of the organization. Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. What is happening at art museums? 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.. I have never experienced someone with so little emotional intelligence and managerial ability. always works better. Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). 828-350-8484. info@blackmountaincollege.org. It was not an attack.. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Answer Man: Where are the street sweepers? I love when TheRump ends with that you always know more bad news is inevitably on the way. I think well move on with our agenda now. There are two sides to every story. The directors autocratic management style is well-known. Its an embarrassment. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? When we visited, there was a temporary exhibit of recently donated Southern Folk Art (think: the ubiquitous and prolific Howard Finster and unschooled artists such as Finster), and a collection of modernist design from the mid-20th. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A He ll Art Museum. Asheville Police spokesperson Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. 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 urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. They garnered support from the city, county, and other government sources for renovation, but tax payer dollars do not have a stake in year to year operations to my knowledge. 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. Every request was honored, Krider said. 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. Is there not something to this? Huff said. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. "I don't do this lightly," said Paul Saenger, chair of the museum's Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board . Also, while it may be true that toxicity exists in many museums and nonprofits, it is wholly unacceptable to settle for the status quo. What are the next steps, people? To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. January 23, 2020 GMAT coaching in Chandigarh/Punjab. 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 . Foster is the Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she has worked since 2002. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Inappropriate behavior? / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. 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. Every request was honored, Krider said. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. For the first time, the Asheville Chamber Music Series will present its "Rising Star Series" in conjunction with the Asheville Art Museum. How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. If so, time for a review/investigation to assist the Board in seeing the light? I hardly said anything. Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. Open daily 11 am - 6 pm. The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children, and families; guided and group tours; concerts and performances; volunteer and docent programs; year-round and summer internship programs; film screenings; lectures and panel discussions; school and teacher programs; special events; and much more. 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. 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. An awesome contemporary art collection and thought-provoking special exhibits make this an underrated place to go in the city, especially on rainy days. Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. 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. Why? It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. 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. It sounds like it is time for the board to put Pam in her place as successful fundraiser in chief and keep her away from the rest of the organization. I tried to stand in front of Pam. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. I had a very disappointing and surprising interaction with Ms. Myers many years ago, when I brought about 30 tribal childrens paintings from India, which I thought she might be interested in as they were part of an initiative to train gifted children to carry on Warli Tribal painting traditions. How were these funds stewarded? At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. The Museum moved The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children . And yes, Im proudly woke.) . But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. On view November 18 through March 20! Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. The Asheville Art Museum is the sole museum to garner three Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Awards in the 2022 competition! 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. We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. Some art lovers thank their lucky stars for Meyers. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. This is no joke. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. This responsibility overrides all styleand She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. 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. I think well move on with our agenda now. The Appleby Exhibition Hall was not open so if that part was open there may be more art in there. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Its an art museum of American art, thats its sole focus. She and other current board members, as well as past board . 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. It was a pleasure serving with her on the Board the entire time I was on it. In fact, she is no longer there as a volunteer. Bill Durr (Ward & Smith) will serve as president of the board of directors with Beth Lane (McGuire Wood & Bissette) as . Info and tickets at ashevilleart.org/opening. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The museum only has an Associate Curator and an Assistant Curator and does not appear to be looking to refill the lead position at this time. The majority of current and former employees could share profusely regarding Pams managerial style. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. 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