She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. 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. Get a code sent to your email to sign in, or sign in using a password. [1] The employees were saying, Oh, she criticized me about something, Hamill said. Your email address will not be published. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. 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. More than two dozen former employees of the Asheville Art Museum have signed a letter calling for the removal of the longtime executive director and an end to what they describe as a culture of fear and toxic leadership., The letter, signed by 29 ex-staffers, said mistreatment of staff as reported by Asheville Watchdog requires the museums board to do their duty and remove Pam Myers immediately in order to protect the current and future health and viability of the Institution., An online petition also went up Tuesday morning, calling on artists to support the museum staff and Myerss removal, and start the process of reestablishing trust and transparency with our entire community.. 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. You question balance in the reporting and note, One person objected to something to do with the theatre-how many did not object? I believe you miss the point or the reporters intent. The letter signers include gallery attendants, grant managers, events coordinators, and others whose tenure at the museum spanned 2011 to this year. If they are not publicly stating that the situation, as reported, has improved are we to believe that it hasnt, or perhaps gotten worse? An Asheville Museum of Art board member and volunteer docent who spoke publicly about allegations of worker mistreatment at the museum has been ousted from her post, the Asheville. What, because I spoke up? she said. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. 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. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. Board of Trustees. 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. Board mem- Evolution Sofia, Sofia City, Bulgaria2 weeks agoBe among the first 25 applicantsSee who Evolution has hired for this roleNo longer accepting applications. Opinion: Fewer restrictions on guns? 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. Committees of the board include executive, finance, audit, and human resources. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. Comprised of artwork created from 2016 to the present, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze reflects on making something from nothing, lemonade from lemons, the best of a situation. 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. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. 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. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. You said to me you will not stand down on this. Watchdog is giving the Museum every opportunity to share their side. fillmore county journal police reports; zillow dixon, ca; january 26, 2004 moon sign; won the 1989 group of the year juno award codycross; ncis jack sloane baby daddy; can we eat jackfruit during . The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. The museum, Hamill pointed out, is a nonprofit institution accountable to the Board of Trustees. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. Employees spoke out because their attempt to bring about positive changes were unheard and ignored by Ms. Myers and other members in administration. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Capes constructed of mylar burst with energy and rustle with subtle sound, the shining material a signifier of care, awareness, displacement, and presence. The Asheville Art Museum is committed to being an active leader against racism. Artists for Asheville started this petition 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 Museum's Board of Trustees. 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.. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Grace is a 2021 participant in the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy Management Accelerator and a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. This is a great example of how privilege protects itself. She and other current board members, as well as past board chairs, would only answer questions submitted in writing. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. 56 Broadway Street. It isnt just that Pam treats staff horrendously though that should be enough to fire her. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. Culture of Fear and Toxic Leadership Cited, Myers has been the focus of employee complaints. Since the museum is small, budget under an hour for your visit. While she knew some of the ex-employees, Bleakney said she was not aware of the scope of the complaints or that staffers had twice gone to the museums board. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. 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. Apologies! No data on how many employees that worked at the AAM during the last 10 years who have not signed this mud-slinging article. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. executive director of the museum since 1995. 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. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Museums and Communities News is our roundup of stories demonstrating the many ways AAMD member museums serve their communities Is there not something to this? Huff 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. Asheville Community Theatre | Business Manager. Asheville Art Museum moved to Pack Square in 1992. 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. Shame on anyone who belittles or dismisses their attempt for improvement for the museum and the community at large. Asheville Art Museum Association Inc. has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. Enrich your involvement with the Museum by joining our vibrant family of Members. Youre no longer a volunteer.. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Shes not above helping, but it doesnt erase her mismanagement its another highlight of insufficient staff support. If this reader is interested in being even handed and balanced, where are the comments speaking to what is going on at the museum with its apparently comfortable complacent board, and an executive director who may be highly effective at raising money but who appears to not be qualified to manage people. 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. 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.. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. 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. 4. ALT ASO -- Asheville Symphony at Asheville Art Museum ALT ASO Performance at TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022 5:30 P.M. VIP RECEPTION 6:00 P.M. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. (828) 254-7162 DONATE ABOUT Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. 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.. By not refuting anything reported, are they tacitly admitting it all happened as reported? Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. Yeah, were not talking about typos or lending a hand. Thats absurd, Krider said. The Asheville Art Museum is better than ever thanks to a $24 million-renovation and expansion. Current and former employees, volunteers and board members of the Asheville Art Museum describe a workplace that is "beyond toxic," an Asheville Watchdog investigation found. Advisory Board members help ensure the success of the individual museums and centers. 0 404 4 minutes read. Never had any direct interaction with her but this article helps make more sense of why it seemed like such an unhappy place. Leading ambassador and advocate for museums and cultural institutions in New York State . New models of board governance have been introduced. One of the only free art museums in Asheville, the Black Mountain College Museum is small and donation-based. Those that dont agree to play that game will be made irrelevant or removed entirely. As a 501c3 organization isnt the Asheville Art Museum supposed to update its North Carolina solicitation license, reporting tax information etc. We invite you to join us! On view through May 15! It sounds like it is time for the board to put Pam in her place as successful fundraiser in chief and keep her away from the rest of the organization. We want everyone to have access to our stories. Shes also bad at her job i.e. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? 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. Randy Shull, a prominent Asheville artist who served on the museums board for about 10 years, said he and his wife stopped donating to the museum over Myerss handling of a dispute around 2014 with the Diana Wortham Theater over space the two organizations shared in a cultural center called Pack Place. The Asheville Art Museum is a regional affiliate partner of the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosting an annual juried competition for students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A He ll Art Museum. Asheville Police spokesperson Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. Theyre not hearing. 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