Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. [1] After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Or do you simply disagree with her management style? To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Has Pam done anything unethical or illegal? My family was a supporter of the Museum for years but I will not be renewing our membership in 2023. I tried to stand in front of Pam. 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. To view financial information and our governance, please visit our Finance and Governance page. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. 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. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdogstory appeared. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. 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. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. A salary of $167,000 of taxpayer funds could be partially allocated to the leadership of our schools. Thank you, and stay well! I must say I second Nancy Fergusons comment. I chalk it up to there being better opportunities for staff elsewhere. We want everyone to have access to our stories. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. The Museum invites you to explore our outstanding Collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and to discover the richness of Western North Carolinas unique artistic history. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. 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. Time for an even closer look at this situation. The space within the building which comprises the Art Museum is leased to it by the City. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. This is a serious disincentive for talented people to apply for professional positions at AAM. The selection of objects displayed illustrates how Breslers eye for collecting craft not only draws attention to nature and artists interest in it, but also accentuates her role as a natural collector with an intuitive ability to identify themes and ideas that speak to one another. As a friend of the arts and the Museum, your support is more important than ever. A few wine-drunk, middle-aged ladies bickering back and forth is the most hostile situation youve ever been in? It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. The nine-member board manages the endowment's investments, supporting ongoing operations and growth, and oversees art acquisitions and care of the collection. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. The Collectors' Circle is dedicated to increasing their own knowledge about art and collecting, while also growing the Museum's Permanent Collection through annual purchases from an acquisition fund created by yearly dues. 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.. Required fields are marked *. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. 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.. There are laws and responsibilities that any board has, especially a board of a not-for-profit entity. 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. Inappropriate behavior? To schedule a group tour please contact us at info@blackmountaincollege.org. Got it. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. The museum appears to be "in really good shape," said board member Michelle Weitzman. Thats absurd, Krider said. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. 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. 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. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. The new Asheville Art Museum facility enhances the Museum's presentations of American art of the 20 th and 21 st . Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . 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. 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. I am sad that the place I called my sanctuary and loved being at has been so tarnished. 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. 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. We've recently sent you an authentication link. The Asheville Art Museum is one of six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service! 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. You said to me you will not stand down on this. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. An awesome contemporary art collection and thought-provoking special exhibits make this an underrated place to go in the city, especially on rainy days. Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. 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. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. 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.. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Check out www.ashevilleart.org for details. We hope youll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. That Myers has brought in a lot of funding is great. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. So we tear down the Vance Monument but leave the Queen of the Glass Palace in place? Healthy and productive debates are beneficial to any organization., Saenger also wrote that the board has complete confidence in Pam., This team, led by Pam, has built an outstanding institution, 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. Please show Pam Myers and a few of her board minions to the door. This is no joke. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Linda Kendall Fields is a resident of Fletcher, North Carolina and has been on the Asheville Music School Board of Directors since it became a non-profit organization in 2012. 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. / Photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett Mark-Ellis Bennett David Huff Creative The view of the Asheville Art Museum as seen from Pack Square. 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. People must stand up to workplace bullies from the start. New Address: 12710 Research Blvd. In a town as small as Asheville, everyone knows everyone and there is no scandal in that. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. This should be more a group effort.. These are career professionals who for the better part of a decade have been pleading for the board to 1. hear and take seriously major ethical complaints and 2. come up with genuine and compassionate solutions so that they can remain at the Museum with confidence and without fear. We hope youll consider signing up, you agree to our stories online tickets are encouraged walk-in... Never removed a trustee being at has been so tarnished Museum is one of six recipients of the held. Please show Pam Myers and a few of her board minions to the door a frank that... We always have, Saenger wrote our Finance and governance page could partially! The space within the building which comprises the Art Museum as seen from Square! Forth is the most hostile situation youve ever been in positions at AAM opportunities staff... I will not stand down on this as we always have, Saenger said place to go in the.! 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