asheville art museum board of directors

Pam Myers - Executive Director - Asheville Art Museum | LinkedIn Pam Myers Executive Director at Asheville Art Museum Asheville, North Carolina, United States 489 followers 483. I dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. Olin emphasizes that we are in constant state of motion and discovery. 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. The letter signers include gallery attendants, grant managers, events coordinators, and others whose tenure at the museum spanned 2011 to this year. For what it is worth, my observation is that departmental staff come and go frequently. I do think people who are involved in extraneous things like the gift shop, if theyre truly unhappy, Im not sure I care.. Shull and his wife, Hedy Fischer, who own Pink Dog Creative in the River Arts District, have donated art that is part of the museums permanent collection. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. 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. Le'Kita Brown, Vice President. I tried to stand in front of Pam. 0 404 4 minutes read. sorry, that should have read: [this] reminds me of another highly manipulative/ vindictive psychopath Anyway, really, the powers to be in the City of Asheville/ Buncombe County now is the time for some serious damage control because I highly doubt this is going away anytime soon. 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.. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. I was interested in doing anything I could to help curate a temporary show. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our Vision + Mission: To transform lives through art. They dont want to hear. Its an embarrassment. Leave, I did. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. 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. If you love unique and creative art, definitely drop in here. Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. Opinion: Fewer restrictions on guns? Press tab to enter the menus and then use your arrow keys, enter, and escape to use the menus. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. This is no joke. do koalas have poisonous claws. The West Michigan museum where I used to work is eerily similar and the board has chosen to ignore the constant staff turnover. Asheville, NC 28801. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Today, more than 500 members serve on the Smithsonian's Advisory Boards. 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. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Grace is a 2021 participant in the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy Management Accelerator and a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. Museum Association of New York. Mar 1, 2023 - Looking to get inspired on your trip to Asheville? Was an intern at the museum a few years back, the toxic work culture permeates all the way down. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. where is the house in the carvana commercial. 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. Culture of Fear and Toxic Leadership Cited, Myers has been the focus of employee complaints. The Bass Museum of Art opened in 1964 through the donation of a private collection by John and Johanna Bass to the City of Miami Beach. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Asheville Art Museum will host Open Studio at Different Wrld on. But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? But, with the revelations coming from this and other articles, I now have to question my assumptions. Please note that items in the second level of these menus can open a page and also expand submenus. 120 College St, Asheville . Engaging, enlightening and inspiring individuals and enriching community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries since 1948. ashevilleart.org SaveSave Pictured: The Missoula Art Museum, whose Museum as Megaphone distance learning platform has provided access to arts education to rural and Tribal communities across Montana throughout the pandemic. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. 120 College Street Asheville, NC 28801 828-350-8484 info@blackmountaincollege.org To schedule a group tour please contact us at info@blackmountaincollege.org Our Mission Statement The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) preserves and continues the legacy of educational and artistic innovation of Black Mountain College (BMC). We invite you to join us! Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. In 1994 the Board appointed Richard West, scholar and former director of Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Maine; the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento; the Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island; and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. She and other current board members, as well as past board chairs, would only answer questions submitted in writing. Enrich your involvement with the Museum by joining our vibrant family of Members. 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. each year with the sec of state and could it be considered to be a conflict of interest for its executive director to be on the board of directors? DIGITAL EXHIBITION: Dear Lorna, Love Ray features letters written by Ray Johnson to Lorna Blaine Halper while Johnson was a student at Black Mountain College. Asheville Art Museum Exposed (@ashevilleartmuseumxposed) on Instagram. An account was already registered with this email. 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.. Momentum Gallery 13 Art Galleries Literary, Art & Music Tours By 858wandar She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Open daily 11am6pm. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. That may have been your reality, but thats not the reality of the 29 people who signed the letter. The most recent dates shown on the N.C. Sec of State site is 2020. (828) 254-7162 DONATE ABOUT 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. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. 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. On view through March 20! Inappropriate behavior? The 68,000-square-foot museum features 20th and 21st century American art. The museum's collection of 5,000 objects and art pieces are displayed in beautiful galleries throughout the three-floor . 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 argue they have one of the most important roles at the museumand similarly, in any guest-serving institutions. Xpress needs help, too. It is common knowledge among museum experts that museum stores and restaurants have become much needed sources of additional revenue; leadership at Asheville Art Museum, however, treats the store and cafe as unimportant after thoughts, refusing to provide the resources and support they need in order to be profitable. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. New models of board governance have been introduced. Pre-purchased online tickets and walk-in tickets are available. Weitzman, who until Tuesday had also been a volunteer docent leading tours of the museum, engaged in a pattern of disruptive behavior, Saenger said in the meeting. Immerse yourself into world-class art, exciting history, and mind-bending science. She gives off a very let them eat cake! vibe. the getty museum underground; houses for sale west pearl street, butler, pa; Recognitions; peter lowy malibu; CSR; how to remove a hashtag on tiktok. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus. One person objected to something to do with the theatre-how many did not object? Asheville Community Theatre | Business Manager. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. We need your help to continue serving as a source of knowledge and inspiration during these uncertain times. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! We share your inclination to get the whole story. 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. The reality though is that when this many people are this unhappy, there is a problem. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. Mind you this was right before the museum was going to reopen, a supposedly exciting time to be there. Time for an even closer look at this situation. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. The board may be putting itself at risk by not taking more concrete action given that what has been done so far appears to be ineffective, nice words but little effect. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. 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 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. I look at her as a hero, said Judy Hamill, a museum donor. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Is there not something to this? Huff said. MICHELLE CROUCH, North Carolina Health News, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Capes constructed of mylar burst with energy and rustle with subtle sound, the shining material a signifier of care, awareness, displacement, and presence. It was not an attack.. Three of the board members who resigned in May, including Huff and Green, told The Watchdog the treatment of employees and the boards response was a factor in their decision to leave. 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. They said Asheville represents itself as a progressive and inclusive city for LGBTQ artists, but the museum caters to a particular demographic that is no longer actually inclusive or representative of folks in the broader community here. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 1,000+ Events. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville. Ive kind of found myself in a situation of traveling and taking my work outside of the city to be able to make a living with it, and that is with the privilege of a university degree and a local culture that already privileges white artists., Maurer, 23, said UNCA trains students for a museum-centered career, but the museum caters to artists that are not based in Asheville and then takes that work and redirects it towards tourists., The museum was founded in 1948 by local artists. Theyre so thin-skinned.. Yes, she can be harsh and demanding, but who wants typos and bad grammar on a press release? The Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! This has led Hill to incorporate the idea of Olinthe Nahuatl word for the natural rhythms of the universein Aztec cosmology in her work. Gillian Maurer, a transgender artist who grew up in Asheville, said a donor gave them free access to the museum while they were a student studying fine art at the University of North Carolina Asheville. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Supporters credit Myers with taking the museum from the basement of the Asheville Civic Center to the glistening anchor of downtown that it is today, and with overseeing a capital campaign that raised more than $30 million. Asheville may be best known for its traditional acoustic music, but Moog showed that the swirling, space-age sounds of his synthesizer could fit quite naturally against the mysterious backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Board mem- Home / Uncategorized / asheville art museum board of directors. 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdogstory appeared. We uphold anti-oppressive and equitable practices, while striving to create opportunities for education and action to build a stronger community. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. On view through March 6! She and other current board members, as well as past board . Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. 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. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. People must stand up to workplace bullies from the start. Re: Comments from Hamill (donor) Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. The employees were saying, Oh, she criticized me about something, Hamill said. 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. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. Leaves me wondering what nerve was touched that sent this reader into such a defensive stance. Lewis said Benites intervened, defending Myers. Yes, thats the definition of insanity, Homelessness and First Amendment On Trial in Asheville. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Who can clean up the Asheville Art Museum? Never miss an update by signing up for our free Watchdog News Alerts, delivered directly to your inbox. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. 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