Once the building housed just two organizations, the umbrella organization that operated the building was eliminated, and the existing organizations had direct leases with the City that County support was phased out over a few years. 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. Upon achieving independence, the school adopted its current . 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. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. Deja vu all over again! We are sad to announce the passing of Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon of Sylva, North Carolina. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. Thank you for supporting the arts! To be banished from the palace on Park Square seems to be a common pathway. This responsibility overrides all styleand But how does that make the museum Youre in MY house? Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. The staff all seemed so pleasant, and my family enjoyed the art, staff and cafe. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. I am aware of at least 15 full time staff that have quit just this year. You said to me you will not stand down on this. I have a feeling yall are going to regret your fumble here. In fact, she is no longer there as a volunteer. 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. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. The Asheville Symphony Sessions; 2021 Virtual Concert Series; News & Press; ASO Radio; Education. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. It is an age old story. This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. 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 nine-member board manages the endowment's investments, supporting ongoing operations and growth, and oversees art acquisitions and care of the collection. In 1955 Jorge Fick became one of the few students to receive an official degree from Black Mountain College, attending from 1952 to 1955. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. 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.. It was not an attack.. I recently found out that more than one employee that filed for unemployment during Covid (which the museum accepted) later had lawsuits filed against them by Lindsay and Pam to repay all the money they received because the museum forced everyone to work (many in person in the office) through the beginning of Covid leaving folks with kids, elderly and disabled with no way of earning money. always works better. Open daily 11am6pm. 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. There are laws and responsibilities that any board has, especially a board of a not-for-profit entity. This series of stories, with its tone of personal attack, is not helpful, either to the museum or to Asheville Watchdog. What are the next steps, people? 120 College Street. Jun 17, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Asheville, NC Recommend CEO Approval Business Outlook Pros My colleagues at the Museum were supportive, creative, and truly nice people. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Comprised of artwork created from 2016 to the present, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze reflects on making something from nothing, lemonade from lemons, the best of a situation. This is no joke. And the sycophants & lickspittles fawning over her psyche & clamoring on how theyve been emotionally upset by this icky reality thing. Kindness and gentle approaches Inappropriate behavior? In a town as small as Asheville, everyone knows everyone and there is no scandal in that. I have never forgotten this episode. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. The city does not own the museum or manage its operations. Dictatorships serve dictators and their minions. from the museum in Asheville. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. 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. 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. Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. 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. I would like to know exactly what public money from which governments, city, county, state and federal, the museum receives, and how that money is used vs. the same for private donations. Check outadditional time lapse videos of the construction project on our YouTube channel. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! I spoke to current board members when I left, but clearly no action was take. 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. Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . Checks and balances must be in place for all employees including executive management. And AAM gets that money whether or not students go. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. At some point words need to translate into both action and changed behavior, not just more words. There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success. John Dalberg-Acton. Learn More{{/message}}. Give us a call at 828.253.3227 x114 to connect. Our Story; Guild; Chorus; Symphonettes; Music Director Darko Butorac; Musicians . Every request was honored, Krider said. 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. I hardly said anything. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. 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. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. Such a shame. She imperiously, very rudely and with great toxicity showed me the door. Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 1717 Asheville, NC 28802-1717 Phone 828.253.3227 Art Inquiries For exhibition proposals, information about artworks, or artwork donations, click here for more information. The City does not manage the museum but the City does own the land and the building which houses the museum. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. I stopped going to the AAM years ago when a charge of $3 was required for 10-13 year old kids from Madison Co. Middle School to enter not much but too much for many of them. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. 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. So we tear down the Vance Monument but leave the Queen of the Glass Palace in place? I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. I think well move on with our agenda now. 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. 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. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Great work, Watchdog Team. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. An Asheville Museum of Art board member and volunteer docent who spoke publicly about allegations of worker mistreatment at the museum has been ousted from her post, the Asheville. 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.. 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