A gift to the Capital Campaign is a gift to our communitys future. What, because I spoke up? she said. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. She has been a relentless advocate for the Asheville Art Museum and has led its path to excellence. Some people are really great at certain functions. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. for dates. 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. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. 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. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. And at what cost to the employees? Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). 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. 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. I need to look at some more pleasant after reading this article. Abigail L. Martin, Keller Williams Realty. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Great work, Watchdog Team. 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. The KIA is a nonprofit, so the contract is public knowledge, but I am a friend of many of those who have left the museum and have been very supportive of them. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. It is an age old story. She and other current board members, as well as past board . This should be more a group effort.. The board has twice brought in an executive coach in 2015 after six former employees complained about the museum's management to trustees, and again in 2021 after eight other ex-staffers voiced their concerns to Huff and Green. Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . The GCMA will continue to be closed while it completes several planned building projects. Based on this, the staff IS pleasant, its their working environment that is not. The normal length of the meeting is two hours. 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. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. asheville art museum board of directors. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Is there not something to this? Huff said. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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.. The Asheville Art Museum Collectors' Circle held their seventh annual selection dinner on January 17, 2011. As a Member, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits while providing vital support for the Museums engaging education programs and innovative exhibitions. 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.. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. 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. 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 . The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). There are two sides to every story. As a friend of the arts and the Museum, your support is more important than ever. Asheville Art Museum Association Inc. has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. The board meets the second Monday of each month (unless regular date is a holiday and/or as noted in schedule) at 5:00 p.m. at the Asheville City School Administrative Offices at 85 Mountain St. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. 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. 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. 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 am aware of at least 15 full time staff that have quit just this year. But, with the revelations coming from this and other articles, I now have to question my assumptions. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdogstory appeared. Hours + Location. development, and promotion of craft titles and art gallery books. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. I totally agree, David. The Asheville Art Museum has a high-quality collection of artifacts and visual arts representing the rich history of Western North Carolina. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. This story was originallypublishedbyAsheville Watchdog, an independent nonprofit news team serving Asheville and surrounding communities. Saenger then polled the trustees. Without it we get a situation like this. This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My generals ..and my highly classified documents. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. We are sad to announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon of Sylva, North Carolina. Through his work, Roland engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and other deeply human experiences. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. This vision fails when it cant provide a sustainable livelihood and psychologically safe workplace environment for its employees. The museum appears to be "in really good shape," said board member Michelle Weitzman. 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. Staff & Board | Asheville Area Arts Council Staff Katie Cornell Executive Director 828.222.0436 katie@ashevillearts.com Bringing people together through the arts is Katie's passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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 suspect these actions will anger and incite resignations among the docents organization , an essential AAM support group as they learn how their chosen leader and representative was treated. There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success. John Dalberg-Acton. It is lazy. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. I have a feeling yall are going to regret your fumble here. Clear enough? It only takes a moment. The boards angry internal interactions give credibility to accusations of a toxic work environment. Info and tickets at ashevilleart.org/opening. 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. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. The directors autocratic management style is well-known. Engaging, enlightening and inspiring individuals and enriching community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries since 1948. ashevilleart.org SaveSave So California Woke values complainer got the boot for causing problems. Does Pam have the museum board over a barrel, given all the board member remarks about all the money she brings in? 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. Board of Directors. Once again, the wealthy establishment of Asheville shows that they will brook no questioning of their divine right to rule. I am aghast at some of the comments on the recent articles, as well as those from current AAM board members. Jazz studies while in Ithaca, NY, opened his ears to. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. 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.. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. Chloe O'Laughlin, Harris Publishing. To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Has Pam done anything unethical or illegal? Your email address will not be published. Need a Consultation? Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. Open daily 11 am - 6 pm. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. She returned to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites me. were. Even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach Krider... The Watchdogstory appeared differing views or opinions from current AAM board members differing or... 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