Jen passed away on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, at the age of 46. It is lazy. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. I totally agree, David. 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. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. The Asheville Art Museums vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. Learn More{{/message}}. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Currently, she is supervising the reinstallation of the Museum's American collection, as part of the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. 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. Oh, and I love the quote.. Youre in my house. .reminds me of another psychopath were all unfortunately all too familiar with. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. But some trustees felt the board should do more, such as hire an administrator to run the day-to-day operations and free Myers to focus on fundraising and larger issues. 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.. enge Executive Committee actions . I am a former AAM member, but gave up donating awhile back when the staff turnover showed that the negative work environment was effecting the entire institution. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. We fully believe in its vision to transform lives through art. Not hiring an experienced curator sure saves money! Righteous indignation feels great, but solves nothing. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. They orchestrated it all., Weitzman had volunteered at the museum since 2016 and held a seat on the board as president of the Docents Association. They dont want to hear. This should be more a group effort.. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. Who would suggest changing her role to focus on what she appears to be good at, and not what she is evidently not good at? Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. As a friend of the arts and the Museum, your support is more important than ever. 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. 120 College Street. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. It is a travesty that numerous other board members have long turned a blind eye to the serious, ongoing harm to employees that Ms. Weitzman was asking them to put a stop to. 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. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. Is there a chance NC electoral votes will be split? I think well move on with our agenda now. Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). Asheville Art Museum opening events All events are held at 2 S. Pack Square. This is no joke. Now that the construction is complete and the Museum has reopened, we invite you into our new space to experience our fresh approaches, additions to the Collection, exhibitions, and educational programs. Healthy and productive debates are beneficial to any organization., Saenger also wrote that the board has complete confidence in Pam., This team, led by Pam, has built an outstanding institution, Saenger wrote. To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The board meets the second Monday of each month (unless regular date is a holiday and/or as noted in schedule) at 5:00 p.m. at the Asheville City School Administrative Offices at 85 Mountain St. The Museum moved The Museum also offers a broad variety of innovative programs for all ages, including classes and workshops for adults, college students, children . How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? 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.. 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. The top-down arrogance (Youre in my house) is appalling and is too typical of what happens when a former backwater city gains some fame, albeit largely through tourism. The GCMA will continue to be closed while it completes several planned building projects. 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. A few wine-drunk, middle-aged ladies bickering back and forth is the most hostile situation youve ever been in? 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 I would like to also point out that the Museum has not had an official Curator since shortly after reopening in 2019. Cons The biggest con of working at the Museum is the Executive Director. I tried to stand in front of Pam. The museum appears to be "in really good shape," said board member Michelle Weitzman. This Board is lacking in their duties to the future of this Museum if they do not address an obviously toxic environment. The Museum is nearing the end of the final phase! "negro dog" "red light" house 4-H Club 10th Cavalry Regiment 50th anniversary 60th anniversary 100th anniversary 135th Regiment 500 block 1619 A.M.E. church A.M.E. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church abandoned building abandoned cemetery abandoned child aboriginal people abortion Abraham Lincoln abuse access road accidental death accidental injury accident . Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. Open daily 11am6pm. 828-350-8484. info@blackmountaincollege.org. [1] Kerry Martin, Community Volunteer. 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.. 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. It is a distinct and dangerous part of the problem. Watchdog has succeeded spectacularly in offering one side of it. The Asheville Art Museum is committed to being an active leader against racism. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. They dont want to hear. Check outadditional time lapse videos of the construction project on our YouTube channel. Theyre not hearing. To be active partners contributing to quality of life and community. The museum only has an Associate Curator and an Assistant Curator and does not appear to be looking to refill the lead position at this time. Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. I have also strictest the hell museum off my to do and support list. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. 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 . The normal length of the meeting is two hours. An awesome contemporary art collection and thought-provoking special exhibits make this an underrated place to go in the city, especially on rainy days. Upon achieving independence, the school adopted its current . Do Pam Myers and the museum have any self-awareness at all? How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! 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. Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. Kill the messenger certainly sends a message to the employees Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. For what it is worth, my observation is that departmental staff come and go frequently. 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. Inappropriate behavior? To provide an open, supportive work environment where Staff can thrive. Based on this, the staff IS pleasant, its their working environment that is not. I suspect these actions will anger and incite resignations among the docents organization , an essential AAM support group as they learn how their chosen leader and representative was treated. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. I hardly said anything. This all sounds like a vanity project that continues under an implicit threat of being fired, thrown off the board, or Ill hold my breath until I turn blue, then Ill take my toys (money) and go home and then youll be sorry!. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. whichhe continued to create over the course of his career as an art director and into his personal work after retirement. 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