Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. Who can clean up the Asheville Art Museum? With the Museums major renovation and expansion project comes even greater opportunities to transform lives through art. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. Great coverage, thanks for exposing the toxic environment. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. What, because I spoke up? she 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. They dont want to hear. Leave, I did. 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. 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. That Myers has brought in a lot of funding is great. Support: 14 7/8 x 15 in. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. . Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. What, because I spoke up? she said. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? Rep. Hudson Introduces National Reciprocity of Concealed Carry. 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. GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro College Department of Art presents Kenn Kotara's exhibition, "social geometries," Oct. 15-Nov. 15 in the Anne Rudd Galyon Gallery, and the Irene Cullis Galley in the Cowan Humanities Building on campus. I, and another board member, opposed the contract because of the directors extreme salary and benefits while maintaining a toxic working environment ($242K this year with a $35K bonus if shes still here next month). Xpress needs help, too. I cant tell you how much I appreciate your support. Based on these articles, the museum board is composed and operating based on a friends and family and buddy system style approach that ensures most if not all members will agree to self protect each other and fend off critiques. The Power Plant, a leading contemporary art space on Toronto's waterfront, has lost nearly its entire board of directors, with 24 out of 27 of its members resigning en masse earlier this week.The members who resigned have done so due to objections to the institution's management by an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Harbourfront Centre, and have called for the institution to be held . Workers are expendable. Or do you simply disagree with her management style? Answer Man: Price for natural gas up almost 50 percent? The ArtWORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign has been very successful due to the generosity of our board of trustees, close supporters, government, foundation, and corporate supporters from within Buncombe County, North Carolina, and nationally. Give us a call at 828.253.3227 x114 to connect. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. enge Executive Committee actions . Founded Next Up Collectors in an effort to connect the next generation of art collectors to emerging artists, as well as to offer accessible resources and tools related to the art industry. Michelle Weitzman // Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego. There are many ways that you can become involved and be a part of this extraordinary community endeavor. 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. 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. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). The Asheville Art Museum is committed to being an active leader against racism. 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. The Asheville Art Museum is a private nonprofit 501c3 (not public). Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. This story was originallypublishedbyAsheville Watchdog, an independent nonprofit news team serving Asheville and surrounding communities. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Leave, I did. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. My long time experience with organizations tells me that this situation will fester and not go away. This is a story with more questions to explore and report on. Can I help pay off kids school lunch debts? Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? The building is beautiful. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Asheville, NC 28801. Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. Enrich your involvement with the Museum by joining our vibrant family of Members. Inappropriate behavior? Time for an even closer look at this situation. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. On view November 18 through March 20! January 23, 2020 POSSIBLE REASONS BEHIND STUDENT VISA REJECTION. The normal length of the meeting is two hours. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Currently, she is supervising the reinstallation of the Museum's American collection, as part of the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan. This petition starter stood up and took action. You can . Every request was honored, Krider said. Theyre not hearing. The number of staff that many principals manage far outweighs the art museum staff. asheville art museum board of directors. , Frame: 16 1/8 x 16 1/2 in. 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. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. As Peter Drucker once famously said, Culture eats strategy for breakfast and it seems that the culture of this institution is in need of repair. Some people are really great at certain functions. 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. I had a very disappointing and surprising interaction with Ms. Myers many years ago, when I brought about 30 tribal childrens paintings from India, which I thought she might be interested in as they were part of an initiative to train gifted children to carry on Warli Tribal painting traditions. Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. What is happening at art museums? All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. The Asheville Art Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums which 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 which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Late night Thursdays until 9 pm. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. It is up to our community of artists and supporters of the arts to speak up and advocate for our institution and its health, and insist on the Board and especially Ms. Myers resignation. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. I dont always agree with her, but I have immense respect for her and what she has accomplished for Asheville. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Kindness and gentle approaches This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. It is obvious that her interpersonal skills are lacking, in spite of previous training and consulting. Thats absurd, Krider said. Clear enough? 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. Visit our Facebook gallery to see photos of the construction process. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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. 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. Based on this, the staff IS pleasant, its their working environment that is not. 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. I must say I second Nancy Fergusons comment. The word used by three former staff is traumatic. , 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.. The KIA is a nonprofit, so the contract is public knowledge, but I am a friend of many of those who have left the museum and have been very supportive of them. The Asheville Art Museum has been remodeled since my last visit. We fully believe in its vision to transform lives through art. from the museum in Asheville. 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. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. I would like to also point out that the Museum has not had an official Curator since shortly after reopening in 2019. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. 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. This, frankly, is the story of a very strong institution, an ambitious and focused leader and a board. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. Candace Reilly, one of six former employees who complained to the trustees in 2015, told Asheville Watchdog the board had a chance to do the right thing, but chose to support Myers. The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children, and families; guided and group tours; concerts and performances; volunteer and docent programs; year-round and summer internship programs; film screenings; lectures and panel discussions; school and teacher programs; special events; and much more. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. To be banished from the palace on Park Square seems to be a common pathway. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Closed Tuesdays. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. 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. And at what cost to the employees? Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE Chair of the Board @ foundation, museum, inn, & school. 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. Kerry Martin, Community Volunteer. I see lawsuits as several laws appear to have been violated. Museum for 27 years 1/2 in major renovation and expansion project comes even greater opportunities to transform lives art. For her and what she has accomplished for Asheville training and consulting and refusing focus! Hand-Picked and curated supporters of Myers, who is also a realtor attended! The present so spineless great example of how privilege protects itself Watchdog, an ambitious focused... 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