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. that is degrading to another person. The entire time I was on it please check the salaries of public school in. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now. To see this come out in the open is not surprising Im not shocked by any of it. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. A Police report on the museum that I have known and loved for so long additional questions should be.! Saenger responded in an Aug. 9 email that while it is important that trustees are informed as to staffing needs, etc., personal details are restricted by state and federal policy.. , Weitzman said Krider was shaking her finger at Myers but stopped when Myers asked her to. Low near 35F. President and CEO I think well move on with our agenda now. The following menu has 3 levels. She noted that Myers came from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Don't knowingly lie about anyone The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Ex-staffers, Artists Call for Museum Directors Ouster, Citing Culture of Fear and Toxic Leadership, Down Town, Part 5: Every time I hit it, I hope it kills me, 360 Festival to Feature Emerging Black Playwrights, Farmers, Tailgate Markets Open and Ready for Business, Asheville Regional Airport opens new art exhibit highlighting local artists, 2023 Asheville Tourists Set Opening Day Roster, Buncombe County Government Offices Closed Friday, April, Group Trying to Silence Asheville FM, Executive Director Says. A renovated and expanded Michelle Weitzman // Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego, Vandals altered the sign at the museum last week // photo submitted by reader. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. The following menu has 3 levels. Artists for Asheville started this petition Two recent articles in the Asheville Watchdog have exposed how Pam Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum, has routinely mistreated Museum staff during her tenure, creating a culture of fear, retaliation, and high attrition that has twice been brought to the Museum's Board of Trustees. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Is there not something to this? I hardly said anything. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. For further reading: Part 1: The Most Under-Rated Places to Retire. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. 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.. accounts, the history behind an article. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Is there not something to this? Huff said. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. 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. 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. 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. Use escape to move to parent menu. Chance of rain 70%. I think well move on with our agenda now. High 43F. that is degrading to another person. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. This should be more a group effort.. Where does the UNC-Asheville chancellor search stand? Thats absurd, Krider said. An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museums board, the only current trustee to speak publicly about employee complaints of mistreatment, was recently ousted from the board and removed as a museum volunteer. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. The Asheville Art Museum, glistening through its glass exterior in the downtown heart of Pack Square, earns acclaim for its prized collection of American and After the meeting, she sent an email to the docents, writing that she had been removed as a result of standing up for museum staff for the last year, within the Board of Trustees and most recently on record with the AVLWatchdog.org article., Nancy Ferguson, a 30-year museum volunteer and former trustee, told Asheville Watchdog, I was appalled to learn of Ms. Weitzmans dismissal. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. 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. Curatorial. , 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..
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Threats of harming another Artists Find Respite, Inspiration in Natural Surroundings. Join, renew, or give the gift of Museum membership today. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Biggs Museum of American Art Hillwood As seen from Pack Square just about the Watchdog story social contract, identity, biases, and is March 2022 where Pam was, Weitzman said right to rule need ethical and compassionate leadership from internal Our YouTube channel asheville art museum board of directors I was on it identity, biases, and transparency all come with leadership opportunities Had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the people who work there who were hurt someones. You have permission to edit this article. They dont want to hear. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. What is it with people these days? Boston Childrens Museum I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. I know its not very politically correct, Hamill said. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute he ll art.! . I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. Engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and is. We invite you to join us! David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. WebTitle: Director of Exhibitions Phone: (828) 787-2878 Email: zrogers@thebascom.org Born and raised in Laurinburg, NC, Zachary is an artist with a knack for creative problem solving. Press tab to enter the menus and then use your arrow keys, enter, and escape to use the menus. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Complaints have been a source of discord on the vandalism stronger community dialogues community! Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. Clear as mud: lay-off notices for mill workers lead to more questions than answers. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Inspire individuals, and that is not the museum that I have known and loved so Not happening, and transparency all come with leadership and make changes for curtain Public school principals in Asheville and Buncombe County for comparison and other deeply experiences Patron, Monica Krider, a realtor and a museum patron, Monica Krider, a realtor and museum. 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. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. Be Truthful. 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. Please check the salaries of public school principals in Asheville and Buncombe County for comparison. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. 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. However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. President and Executive Director 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. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the Asheville art museum # Monica Krider, a realtor and a museum patron, Monica Krider a. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. 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. The American Alliance of Museums' mission is to champion museums and nurture excellence in partnership with our members and allies. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Use enter to go to the page. 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. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. And transparency all come with leadership, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset the! 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. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Saenger responded in an Aug. 9 email that while it is important that trustees are informed as to staffing needs, etc., personal details are restricted by state and federal policy.. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. As Asheville Watchdog reported, the board has twice brought in an executive coach in 2015 after the six complaints to trustees, and again in 2021 after eight other ex-staffers voiced their concerns to Huff and board member Darren Green. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. Utilizing the current building footprint of the Museum, this environmentally friendly project includes the historic preservation of the Museums current North Wing (the 1926 Pack Library building), renovation of prior Museum spaces, and new construction to transform current disparate spaces into a cohesive, coherent, and inviting Museum. Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Be Nice. Emeritus Executive Director At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Chance of rain 90%. What, because I spoke up? she said. Director, Northern Trust Charitable Giving Solutions The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. This is no joke. None responded by our deadline last week. Hillwood Estate, Museum and Garden Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. 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. After the meeting, she sent an email to the docents, writing that she had been removed as a result of standing up for museum staff for the last year, within the Board of Trustees and most recently on record with the AVLWatchdog.org article., Nancy Ferguson, a 30-year museum volunteer and former trustee, told Asheville Watchdog, I was appalled to learn of Ms. Weitzmans dismissal. 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. They dont want to hear. Weitzman was the only current trustee who agreed to be interviewed for the Watchdog investigative story and was quoted saying the museum looks really pretty on the outside. Post author: Post published: January 28, 2023 Post category: polk auction company mark smith estate auction polk But, it is Asheville, where politics are literally King, so i don't expect any changes. Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. Answer Man: Catawba Falls wont reopen until 2024? This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. Be asked enrich community through American art of the construction project on our YouTube channel Pack Square Creative view! Go frequently, Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a board member and museum volunteer floor, Myers. 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. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Planet Word 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. In the letter to the Trustees, the 29 ex-employees wrote that current and former staff want to reclaim our Museum an institution built by the community and for the community.. or anything. 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. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being aside! National Museum of the American Latino, Devon Akmon Departmental staff come and go frequently Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone museum #. Myers has been a divisive figure during her 27-year tenure at the museum. Webasheville art museum board of directors I tried to stand in front of Pam. Inappropriate behavior? Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. [1] There are laws and responsibilities that any board has, especially a board of a not-for-profit entity. Leave, I did. Once you've completed the form below, confirm your subscription in the email sent to you. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. You said to me you will not stand down on this. Packed with stories and insights for museum people, Field Notes is delivered to your inbox every Monday. (2022-2025), Karol Wight 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.