Some face changes in governance within non-profit organizations and municipalities. 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. Its just troublemakers.. Absolutely. 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. . I argue they have one of the most important roles at the museumand similarly, in any guest-serving institutions. Your involvement is essential, now and in the future. the getty museum underground; houses for sale west pearl street, butler, pa; Recognitions; peter lowy malibu; CSR; how to remove a hashtag on tiktok. She helps wash dishes because theres no events support staff, and the Membership/Events Manager position has turned over three times (or left vacant for many months) in the last two years alone. so we have no idea how or whom to speak to when we dont want to speak to Pam; were talking about no on-boarding so if we do get it wrong and get berated, we had no way of preparing; were talking about a complete lack of trust and order from the top down (can you imagine if you start your job with your boss immediately mistrusting you and treating you like garbage? 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 Museums future, and call for the removal of Pam Myers as Executive Director.. If so, I havent seen it. The Business Manager position is part time (non exempt) and is expected to be 24 hours per week. As a long term Asheville Art Museum member, donor, former volunteer, former Gallery Associate, and current Adult Studio instructor, I am little more than an outside observer to the day to day operations of the museum so this story has been revealing. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. Open daily 11am6pm. Theyre not hearing. It wasnt just pam unfortunately. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. . The board twice brought in an executive coach, but staff complaints about Myerss management style persisted. In 1994 the Board appointed Richard West, scholar and former director of Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Maine; the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento; the Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island; and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. That Myers has brought in a lot of funding is great. Im honestly glad that you had a decent time at the Museum, but please dont brush off the cruelty that many of us experienced from her. Le'Kita Brown, Vice President. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. Check out the best museums in Asheville to visit in 2023. Balanced reporting would detract from your outrageous reporting which is the goal of the Watchdog. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. ); were talking about watching kind, hard-working, talented young and old professionals cry at their desks day after day. Yeah were not talking about Pam being harsh and demanding with staff who werent doing a good job. Were talking about witnessing our colleagues get told they are whiny babies when they are sexually harassed at work; were talking about being denied access to vital tools to do our jobs and then get yelled at when we are not able to do that job properly; were talking about consistently being ignored when we ask questions so that we can simply do our jobs better; were talking about being asked to work overtime for weeks on end and then not receive a proper break or compensation, only then to be told were not working hard enough; were talking about being subjected to a colleague who watched pornography in his office for years on end but no one wanted to report it because they were afraid Pam wouldnt believe them, then once finally reported he remained at AAM for weeks more; were talking about being told we are fucking idiots during public events when Pam didnt like where a table or garbage bin was placed; were talking about having no access to Human Resources or even a policy manual (!!) Open daily 11am6pm. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. The West Michigan museum where I used to work is eerily similar and the board has chosen to ignore the constant staff turnover. 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.. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. Will the Board continue to sit on their hands while this environment is allowed to fester? I was responsible for applying for the solicitation license, in my years long career as a grants manager I was never responsible for that. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. 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. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. The first story about the Art Museum, its board, and its director appeared more than a month ago. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. We want everyone to have access to our stories. Youre no longer a volunteer.. The Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina (WNC) and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Learn More{{/message}}. Hamill said she was unmoved by the employee complaints detailed by Asheville Watchdog. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. 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. I hardly said anything. Shes not above helping, but it doesnt erase her mismanagement its another highlight of insufficient staff support. sorry, that should have read: [this] reminds me of another highly manipulative/ vindictive psychopath Anyway, really, the powers to be in the City of Asheville/ Buncombe County now is the time for some serious damage control because I highly doubt this is going away anytime soon. 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. Open Thursdays 11am9pm | Reserve tickets now. Its just like, Wow, finally., Shull said he would like to see Myers retire and be celebrated for all that shes done and have a clean slate for the community to attract a really good director with significant talent that reflects the values that Asheville projects.. Please, check your inbox! Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration features more than 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. Evolution Sofia, Sofia City, Bulgaria2 weeks agoBe among the first 25 applicantsSee who Evolution has hired for this roleNo longer accepting applications. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. If so, its not a pretty picture. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Linda Kendall Fields (Chair) 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. She never responded. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. I think well move on with our agenda now. Glass works and mix media. This success can be attributed to the great work the staff did in marketing and administration. Since 2017, while construction has been ongoing, the museum's educational programs have continued without cessation, serving over 360,000 participants last year through programs on site at . The governing body for both the museum and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this group of highly dedicated individuals bring their wide-ranging expertise to ensure the institution as a whole remains responsible and vital to those it serves. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. 2023 Officers Jamie Winderbaum FernandezChair Cathy GrantVice Chair Penny VinikVice Chair Tom HochhauslerTreasurer Kenneth PagesSecretary Dianne JacobPast Chair 2023 Board of Trustees Allison Casper Adams Belinda Alexander Pat Carter Sandra [] Leave, I did. In my view that is balanced reporting two opposite actions in response to one issue. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. Asheville Community Theatre | Business Manager. executive director of the museum since 1995. Pack Place takeover, Art Museum's "SECU Plaza" project scrutinized. Pam has a platform and could issue a statement at any time. West oversaw the Frye Art Museum's expansion and renovation, which was designed by Rick Sundberg of Olson Sundberg Kundig . The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. The museum, Hamill pointed out, is a nonprofit institution accountable to the Board of Trustees. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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.. That was like one of the few times over the course of multiple years, working as an art student in the city, that I was even able to step foot inside that space, said Maurer, who uses they/them pronouns. 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.. 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. As a 501c3 organization isnt the Asheville Art Museum supposed to update its North Carolina solicitation license, reporting tax information etc. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. And I am just appalled that a nonprofit could be run this way.. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Museum Association of New York. I believe suing the Asheville Art Museum Board of Trustees for willful and ongoing negligence in regard to their statutory obligations is probably the most expedient avenue forward here. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. If she was harsh it was likely because you werent doing a good job. 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