";s:4:"text";s:21780:"An account was already registered with this email. This story has Hostile Work Environment written all over it, with lots of documentation and witnesses. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct a sources error in a quote about the museum where Myers worked before Asheville. I worked at the museum under Pam Myers. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. It was not an attack.. One third of the board's members also serve as trustees for the . Job Description. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. The governing body for both the museum and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this group of highly dedicated individuals bring their wide-ranging expertise to ensure the institution as a whole remains responsible and vital to those it serves. Is there not something to this? Huff said. You may get billed for that. I was interested in doing anything I could to help curate a temporary show. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. 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.. The Board of Trustees meets regularly throughout the year and hosts the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Annual Meeting which presents the institution's goals and showcases its accomplishments to stakeholders, members, and the community. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. 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.. 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. Theyre not hearing. Enter the code you received via email to sign in, or sign in using a password. Thats absurd, Krider said. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. That is the definition of poor management. One of the only free art museums in Asheville, the Black Mountain College Museum is small and donation-based. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. The Asheville Art Museum re-opens with two major exhibitions, Intersections in American Art and Appalachia Now! Tickets are non-refundable. This is about Pam Myers lack of respect for her staff, poor management, and inability to be an effective leader. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. 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. Youre no longer a volunteer.. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. 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. 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. This is no joke. 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. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Please, check your inbox! Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. An art museum director salary varies based on the level of experience, geographical location, and other factors. To see this come out in the open is not surprising Im not shocked by any of it. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Inappropriate behavior? On view through May 15! The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Until Pam and the Board are replaced by people who are actually in service to Ashevilles citizens, it will continue to be A Hell Museum. The most recent dates shown on the N.C. Sec of State site is 2020. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. 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 7-12 from all across Western North Carolina. It only takes a moment. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. This should be more a group effort.. 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. 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. The museum belongs to the citizens of Asheville, Bleakney told Asheville Watchdog. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Since the museum is small, budget under an hour for your visit. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center By The Numbers. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. Immerse yourself into world-class art, exciting history, and mind-bending science. David Menconi. Yes, thats the definition of insanity, Homelessness and First Amendment On Trial in Asheville. Open daily 11am6pm. Myers has been a divisive figure during her 27-year tenure at the museum. Monica Krider, a realtor, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a realtor and a museum member. 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. On view through March 6! It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. 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. 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. Real answer: "When the Asheville Art Museum reopened in November 2019, we were able to offer the 'First Wednesday' program through funding received from a private foundation," museum . Id like to be able to do that more, because Ashevilles been a great community for us to live in, Shull said. Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director Executive Committee Paul Lentz Saenger, Chair Kevin Click, Vice Chair Butch Patrick, Immediate Past Chair Julia Peterson, Secretary Karen Praytor, Treasurer Staff Directory and Contact Board of Trustees Tami Bebber Robert Benites Courtney Blossman Chris Cavanaugh Carolyn Coward Betsy Cunagin Paula Dawkins Lei Han The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. Weitzman was the only current trustee who agreed to be interviewed for the Watchdoginvestigative story and was quoted saying the museum looks really pretty on the outside. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. Yes, she can be harsh and demanding, but who wants typos and bad grammar on a press release? Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut . Theyre not hearing. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. Before Europeans arrived in North America, Indigenous societies were predominantly matrilineal. Guess we are all just to make up our own minds based on the reporting and comments alone. You said to me you will not stand down on this. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. The letters reveal snippets of daily life at the college, Johnsons experience of his growth as an artist, and early examples of Mail art, a movement that Johnson helped found. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. In 2005, the museum inaugurated its capital campaign artworks for Asheville to develop the new museum. They dont want to hear. so we have no idea how or whom to speak to when we dont want to speak to Pam; were talking about no on-boarding so if we do get it wrong and get berated, we had no way of preparing; were talking about a complete lack of trust and order from the top down (can you imagine if you start your job with your boss immediately mistrusting you and treating you like garbage? Tribal art is an odd omission as the PMA goes to great lengths these days to include Native American people in their exhibition, but this is not Portland . Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out, the petition said. Explore two stories of frequently rotating exhibitions. Ive seen her wash the dishes after big events; she expected us to pitch in too. The Museum is moving with awareness and commitment, through assessment, training and engagement, to implementation and accountability. You can blame it on the staff all you want to. 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. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. 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. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. asheville art museum board of directors. In fact, new staff are staying for shorter and shorter periods of time. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. Shes also bad at her job i.e. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. The employees were saying, Oh, she criticized me about something, Hamill said. The Museum, with the assistance of its volunteer docents and support from the Asheville Area Section of the American Institute of Architects, is proud to be a regional affiliate partner hosting the WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards each year. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Saenger then polled the trustees. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. 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. This has led Hill to incorporate the idea of Olinthe Nahuatl word for the natural rhythms of the universein Aztec cosmology in her work. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. 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. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Women were considered sacred, involved in the decision-making process, and thrived within communities holding a worldview based on equilibrium. Mar 1, 2023 - Looking to get inspired on your trip to Asheville? managing people, creating and maintaining relationships with community members and organizations, showing actual concern and motivation about addressing low visitor numbers, etc. Every request was honored, Krider said. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Stop wagging your finger, didnt even notice I was doing it., Krider said all Weitzman did was tell me where Pam was standing and repeat something she had already apparently said that working for her is really difficult or however she worded it.. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. Never miss an update by signing up for our free Watchdog News Alerts, delivered directly to your inbox. Open Thursdays 11am9pm | Reserve tickets now. 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. On this page, you will find ways to experience art and performance, learn more about Black Mountain College and its artists, and even participate in virtual events. From this it is easy to infer the strategy of the organization is simply to say nothing and just hope it all blows over at some point. 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. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Boca Raton Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, marital status, national origin, citizenship, creed, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, age, veteran status, mental or . 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. Additional support is provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. . Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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. Is this board more or less bought and paid for by the successful fundraising, and how much is personal vanity playing a part in being a board member? Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? Pottery by Eugene Since 1986 ceramic artists Rosa and Winton Eugene have created fine and functional pottery that often addresses important topics such as race. In that time has there been any kind of official response from the organization, its board or director? Employees spoke out because their attempt to bring about positive changes were unheard and ignored by Ms. Myers and other members in administration. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. This is abuse. 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). Perhaps the site hasnt been updated. It is an age old story. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider 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. Years ago I wrote Pam Myers about an exhibit concept that would feature the design community of Asheville as a vibrant collection of talented professionals doing breakthrough work. 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. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Sign in with a password below, or sign in using your email. If they are not publicly stating that the situation, as reported, has improved are we to believe that it hasnt, or perhaps gotten worse? I am really grateful to the employees and community members who are speaking out publicly. It is not leadership. 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. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. At some point words need to translate into both action and changed behavior, not just more words. 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. (251) 208-7508, 111 South Royal St, Mobile, AL 36602 Mobile Museum of Art (251)208-5200, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL Troy Pioneer Museum of Alabama (334)566-3597, 248 Highway 231 N, Troy, AL Tuscaloosa Children's Hands-On Museum (205)349-4239, 2213 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL Paul W. Bryant Museum 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. 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