It is a distinct and dangerous part of the problem. Experience great art while mingling with fellow art lovers at an opening reception, watch a local ceramist throw a pot in her studio, discover new creative skills at a workshopall this and more. See here for our terms of service. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. 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 Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. Is this board more or less bought and paid for by the successful fundraising, and how much is personal vanity playing a part in being a board member? Thank you for supporting the arts! This story is good work! Visit our Facebook gallery to see photos of the construction process. Those that dont agree to play that game will be made irrelevant or removed entirely. I have also strictest the hell museum off my to do and support list. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. 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. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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. Rep. Hudson Introduces National Reciprocity of Concealed Carry. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. Katyal: Trial and Conviction of Trump 'Real Possibility in Georgia' MSNBC contributor Neal Katyal said Monday on MSNBC's "The Last Word" that former President Donald Trump w Check out www.ashevilleart.org for details. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. 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. How out of touch & elitist. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. Kill the messenger certainly sends a message to the employees No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. She couldnt have cared less. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. Asheville Art Museum opening events All events are held at 2 S. Pack Square. The series will feature talented young North Carolina artists who are pursuing a concert career, performing in the atrium of the museum, said Polly Feitzinger, ACMS board member and program chair. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. CEO expert in marketing/PR, global fundraising authority, streaming Exec. 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. Conflict is not abuse, and Ms. Myers and her Board are reacting in an immature and disappointing way to vital public discourse. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. You can . 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. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Thats absurd, Krider said. The building is beautiful. 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. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. In 1955 Jorge Fick became one of the few students to receive an official degree from Black Mountain College, attending from 1952 to 1955. The number of staff that many principals manage far outweighs the art museum staff. 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. The Disturbing Details Behind the Bird Flu and Egg Prices. 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. Foundation Directors Warren Stephens, Chair Ben Hussman, Vice-Chair George O'Connor, Treasurer Victoria Ramirez, Secretary John Ed Anthony Terri Erwin Michael Mayton Harriet Stephens Kathleen A. Some people are really great at certain functions. When I handed over the contract to the incoming docent president, I was suspended from being a docent for six months, which extended into 8 1/2 months and then expulsion from the docent corp. It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. Workers are expendable. 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.. Theyre not hearing. [Show slideshow] Gallery / Gift Shop Museums Craft Trails. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. As one of the employees who left in 2015 I can attest to the hostile, dysfunctional and toxic work environment. Pam Myers is fundamentally ill equipped for her role. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. The Asheville Art Museum is a private nonprofit 501c3 (not public). Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. What are the next steps, people? 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. Meyers has and is doing an incredible job I moved here same year as Meyers. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. It is lazy. This is no joke. Apparently they built Pams house and thats all we need to know. You said to me you will not stand down on this. What, because I spoke up? she said. 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. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Is there a record of how many employees have quit over the past 3-5 years? 120 College Street. Acrylic and mixed media on board Dimensions. New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida.It was founded in 1960 as a private institution known simply as New College, spent several years merged into the University of South Florida, and in 2001 became an autonomous college, the eleventh independent school of the State University System of Florida. What is happening at art museums? Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Great work, Watchdog Team. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Please join us, the artists, arts professionals, and arts leaders of Western North Carolina, in signing this petition to remove Pam Myers from her position and start the process of reestablishing trust and transparency with our entire community. 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. 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. 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. And yes, Im proudly woke.) . When will these leaders ever learn that a toxic environment doesnt benefit the institution. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. The majority of current and former employees could share profusely regarding Pams managerial style. 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. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. With weitzman, Lewis, and that is not abuse, and courage she demonstrated an! 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