Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. Ive seen her wash the dishes after big events; she expected us to pitch in too. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. Thats a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. Was an intern at the museum a few years back, the toxic work culture permeates all the way down. 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 Median Annual Salary: More than $86,480 ($41.58/hour) Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $53,780 ($25.86/hour) Bottom 10% Annual Salary: More than $27,190 ($13.07/hour) Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. 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. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). 200,000+ Visitors. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Glass works and mix media. The 68,000-square-foot museum features 20th and 21st century American art. Shes not above helping, but it doesnt erase her mismanagement its another highlight of insufficient staff support. 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. Yeah were not talking about Pam being harsh and demanding with staff who werent doing a good job. Were talking about witnessing our colleagues get told they are whiny babies when they are sexually harassed at work; were talking about being denied access to vital tools to do our jobs and then get yelled at when we are not able to do that job properly; were talking about consistently being ignored when we ask questions so that we can simply do our jobs better; were talking about being asked to work overtime for weeks on end and then not receive a proper break or compensation, only then to be told were not working hard enough; were talking about being subjected to a colleague who watched pornography in his office for years on end but no one wanted to report it because they were afraid Pam wouldnt believe them, then once finally reported he remained at AAM for weeks more; were talking about being told we are fucking idiots during public events when Pam didnt like where a table or garbage bin was placed; were talking about having no access to Human Resources or even a policy manual (!!) What, because I spoke up? she said. 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. Perhaps the site hasnt been updated. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Open daily 11am6pm. Leadership Advisory Committee. I think well move on with our agenda now. Something needs to be done now. 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. However, I have not taught a workshop nor class there in over a year. The Best of Asheville: Private 2.5-hour Walking Tour By Travel Curious - Asheville City Tours 2-3 hours Experience all that Asheville has to offer with a private 2.5-hour highlights tour led by an experienced local guide who Free cancellation from $170.00 per adult Reserve Travelers talk about " permanent collection " (10 reviews) " black mountain On view through March 6! We need your help to continue serving as a source of knowledge and inspiration during these uncertain times. I know its not very politically correct, Hamill said. 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. 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. The first story about the Art Museum, its board, and its director appeared more than a month ago. What, because I spoke up? she said. The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place. You can blame it on the staff all you want to. Every request was honored, Krider said. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! Since 2017, while construction has been ongoing, the museum's educational programs have continued without cessation, serving over 360,000 participants last year through programs on site at . Apologies! The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. // Photo credit: Lindsey Grossman. Culture of Fear and Toxic Leadership Cited, Myers has been the focus of employee complaints. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. 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. Yes, she can be harsh and demanding, but who wants typos and bad grammar on a press release? 'I Look at Her as a Hero' Hamill said she was unmoved by the employee complaints detailed by Asheville Watchdog. Students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. The museum, Hamill pointed out, is a nonprofit institution accountable to the Board of Trustees. I tried to stand in front of Pam. 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. The Asheville Art Museum, glistening through its glass exterior in the downtown heart of Pack Square, earns acclaim for its prized collection of American and Appalachian artwork. 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. Re: Comments from Hamill (donor) 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. Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. 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. 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. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. This is a story with more questions to explore and report on. It only takes a moment. Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of nearly 149,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. We are going to pull out all the stops until theres change.. This should be more a group effort.. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Balanced reporting would detract from your outrageous reporting which is the goal of the Watchdog. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. 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? All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. She gives off a very let them eat cake! vibe. Please note that items in the second level of these menus can open a page and also expand submenus. 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. How tone deaf to use the term Cancel Culture here, in Asheville! Unpopular Opinion but Reality: Natural Collector October 19, 2022-April 24, 2023 Board of Directors - American Alliance of Museums Skip to content The following menu has 3 levels. So California Woke values complainer got the boot for causing problems. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. 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. An account was already registered with this email. Right, not only does Ms. Meyers need to be replaced immediately her unquestioningly compliant board of trustees does as well. Inappropriate behavior? Asheville Art Museum. It is an age old story. Christine Del Re seems to be taking a rather defensive posture, and an unbalanced one at that, while distracting from the problems at the museum. Weitzman was part of a group who had gathered on the second floor to talk when Krider, whom Weitzman said she had just met, said shed like to speak with Pam Myers, according to Weitzman. You said to me you will not stand down on this. "We wanted the building to be . 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. Absolutely. Thank you for registering!Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. People world-wide can now explore the Museums diverse Collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art online from the comfort of their homes. Mar 1, 2023 - Looking to get inspired on your trip to Asheville? We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. That may have been your reality, but thats not the reality of the 29 people who signed the letter. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Not the museum itself, just the board. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Sort of like Im shocked, shocked to see abusive behavior going on as someone walks up and says here are your (entitlement) winnings. Tickets are non-refundable. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. 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.. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. 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. where is the house in the carvana commercial. This is no joke. In the letter to the Trustees, the 29 ex-employees wrote that current and former staff want to reclaim our Museum an institution built by the community and for the community.. I do think people who are involved in extraneous things like the gift shop, if theyre truly unhappy, Im not sure I care.. Directions: 43 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801. The fact that this has surfaced twice, she said, its not acceptable. 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. 56 Broadway Street. The board twice brought in an executive coach, but staff complaints about Myerss management style persisted. A majority of the museums board has remained steadfast to Myers, the museums director since 1995, despite complaints by former employees in 2015 and again in 2021. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. 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. The Museum is moving with awareness and commitment, through assessment, training and engagement, to implementation and accountability. On view through May 15! What is it with people these days? Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. 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 exhibition combines Hills use of mylar safety blankets alongside recent drawings. I was responsible for applying for the solicitation license, in my years long career as a grants manager I was never responsible for that. President and Eloise W. Martin Director. Find Us Location 2 South Pack Square Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 1717 Asheville, NC 28802-1717 Phone 828.253.3227 Art Inquiries 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. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration features more than 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. 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