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. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. I would hope that they have more skills and resources to deal with conflict than exclusion. Being good at one thing (raising money) does not mean you are good at everything. We invite you to join us! She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. You said to me you will not stand down on this. I hardly said anything. 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. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. What I find to be the most concerning is the salary of the director at approximately $167,000 of taxpayer funds. Please, check your inbox! We hope you give us a chance and whitelist our website. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. These are real people whos lives she personally has harmed. Answer Man: Where are the street sweepers? He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Commentary This article was originally published in American Thinker Consumers can take a lot, but when you start raisin I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. [1] The Collection; . 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. Read more about the history of the Museum, as well as the Museums new building. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. The Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! From Asheville Watchdog: Trustee who criticized director is ousted from art museum board, Around Town: Literary series will focus on trees, nature in Jewish poetry, Local artists explore symbolism in new exhibit, Local creatives speak to the power of comedy, Green in brief: Conserving Carolina to expand Bracken Mountain Preserve, From AVL Watchdog: Information about holiday water failures is trickling out, as Asheville officials meet in private, Council to vote on water review committee Jan. 10, Deadline to submit writing & art for Xpress Kids Issues approaching, From Asheville Watchdog: City Council, mayor and staff hold closed-door meetings, sowing distrust, Early traffic woes spark updates to Ashevilles trolley system, 1923-24, From CPP: The uncertain future of old-growth forests in North Carolina, part four, City school board OKs Asheville Primary shelter plan, Green in brief: Asheville protects land at Mills River water plant. And at what cost to the employees? 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 Museums Board of Trustees. An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. Open daily 11am6pm. There are two sides to every story. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Such a shame. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. Check outadditional time lapse videos of the construction project on our YouTube channel. 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. A gift to the Capital Campaign is a gift to our communitys future. 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.. Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. Hoping AAM administrators will learn from the internal and external feedback and make changes for the good of their employees and the city. . for dates. Visit a chosen artwork in the galleries for inspiration, then, Steve Lapointes nine years of classical piano as a youth grounded him in music theory. I love when TheRump ends with that you always know more bad news is inevitably on the way. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. They dont want to hear. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museum's 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. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. Shame! And yes, Im proudly woke.) . Also, while it may be true that toxicity exists in many museums and nonprofits, it is wholly unacceptable to settle for the status quo. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. It was just very upsetting to me., Saenger said in the meeting, If youve read Lindsays report or spoken to others, I think its clear this was grossly inappropriate behavior by a trustee And this was in the midst of an event for members in the atrium of the museum., Asheville Watchdog requested the report Saenger referenced and any videotape of the incident. Does BeLoved Asheville clean up after homeless people? I have never forgotten this episode. . 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. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. Certainly should not be punished for it ! Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. This sounds EXACTLY like the art museum I used to work for. I tried to stand in front of Pam. On view November 18 through March 20! This. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. development, and promotion of craft titles and art gallery books. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. 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. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. Staff & Board | Asheville Area Arts Council Staff Katie Cornell Executive Director 828.222.0436 katie@ashevillearts.com Bringing people together through the arts is Katie's passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. 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. I hardly said anything. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Asheville, NC 28801. A vibrant arts scene, creative restaurants and beer galore dazzle in this Southern jewel of a city. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. 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. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. The Appleby Exhibition Hall was not open so if that part was open there may be more art in there. 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.. Simply give us a . Thats absurd, Krider said. What is happening at art museums? How out of touch & elitist. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. 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. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. Kids under 15 should be allowed in at no cost if art is to be advanced now the fee is $10 for those same aged kids. Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the Museum is committed to being a vital force in community and individual development and to providing lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through the visual arts. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. Inappropriate behavior? He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Why? Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). Activities and Societies: graduate assistantship, Dept of Art History, Theory and Criticism news editor F magazine, executive board, Artists of Color United (ACU) Ford Foundation Fellowship (full . Board of Directors. 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. After an exodus of five Board members this summer, the remaining members have not yet shown that they value Museum staff above the reputation of Myers. Theyre not hearing. Having worked in a variety of jobs for a variety of cultural institutions, I have observed how success attributed to a single individual can have unanticipated consequences. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. If youre able, please consider supporting the Museum through a donation; by becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership; or by shopping or purchasing a gift card in the Museum Store. But how does that make the museum Youre in MY house? I spoke to current board members when I left, but clearly no action was take. We are the only nonprofit visual arts museum serving all 24 counties in Western North Carolina. But I moved to Asheville in large measure because of its progressive values. Asheville Art Museum executive director Pam Myers. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. I think this cancel culture has gone so totally out of control, and I think thats exactly what Michelle is dealing with, Zahler said, not recognizing the fact that all the good work that had gone on before, that there was an issue, and because of that, Pam should be canceled. And AAM gets that money whether or not students go. 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. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? Ousted Trustee Describes Culture of Fear at Asheville Art Museum, Hyperallergic, 11/18/22, https://hyperallergic.com/781084/ousted-trustee-describes-culture-of-fear-at-asheville-art-museum/, Trustee Who Criticized Director Is Ousted from Art Museum Board, Asheville Watchdog, 11/17/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/trustee-ousted-from-museum-board/, Not A Pretty Picture at the Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Watchdog, 11/9/22, https://avlwatchdog.org/not-a-pretty-picture-at-the-asheville-art-museum/. A board that shuns this responsibility will lead to the demise of the organization. Dictatorships serve dictators and their minions. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. To create a vibrant environment for the arts and artists. Foster is the Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she has worked since 2002. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Saenger then polled the trustees. Yeah because ALL THE BOARD CARES ABOUT is all the $$ that she raised, and they care nothing for the underpaid/unpaid small people she bullied and abused over the years. Some people are really great at certain functions. 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 . 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