And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. She and other current board members, as well as past board chairs, would only answer questions submitted in writing. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. Krider told Asheville Watchdog she did not threaten anyone. It is time for us, artists and arts professionals of Asheville and surrounding regions, to do what the Board of Trustees has been unable to accomplish as a body: collectively and publicly voice our care for the Museum staff, advocate for them and the Museums future, and call for the removal of Pam Myers as Executive Director.. 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. managing people, creating and maintaining relationships with community members and organizations, showing actual concern and motivation about addressing low visitor numbers, etc. Some Asheville artists have complained that the museum is inaccessible and unsupportive of local work. 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. 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. Sunday Funday the Old-Fashioned Way! Will the Board continue to sit on their hands while this environment is allowed to fester? She gives off a very let them eat cake! vibe. The reality though is that when this many people are this unhappy, there is a problem. This is a story with more questions to explore and report on. 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. 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. Go-getter type of person who is aware how to work with established brands, arts styles, 2D and 3D artists and can smoothly lead the team of 2D and 3D to preserve the brand . This sounds like unbalanced reporting to me for which this Watchdog should be shamed. 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). Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. The museum's permanent collection also explores regional contributions in three areas: Le'Kita Brown, Vice President. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. Last week, the letters in the museums sign were altered from Asheville Art Museum to A Hell Art Museum. Asheville Police spokeswoman Samantha Booth said Wednesday she could not locate a police report on the vandalism. 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. Shes not above helping, but it doesnt erase her mismanagement its another highlight of insufficient staff support. Asheville Art Museum Exposed (@ashevilleartmuseumxposed) on Instagram. 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. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Thats absurd, Krider 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. The Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. No one on that board even bothered to come to Michelles defense and say, Well, wait a minute. Emailing your doctor? But it was Krider, not Weitzman, who confronted Myers in front of board member Robert Benites. 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.. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. 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. We share your inclination to get the whole story. asheville art museum board of directors. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. Press tab to enter the menus and then use your arrow keys, enter, and escape to use the menus. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. This week, we caught up with Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum. Sort of like Im shocked, shocked to see abusive behavior going on as someone walks up and says here are your (entitlement) winnings. In that time has there been any kind of official response from the organization, its board or director? The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. 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 . Furthermore, Hamills ignorant comments about gift shops being extraneous just goes to show that leadership and the people they surround themselves with do not understand how museums work. 120 College St, Asheville . New models of board governance have been introduced. It is not leadership. My generals ..and my highly classified documents. Since the museum is small, budget under an hour for your visit. As a 501c3 organization isnt the Asheville Art Museum supposed to update its North Carolina solicitation license, reporting tax information etc. Ms. Hamill sounds elitist, uncaring and out of touch. Join, renew, or give the gift of Museum membership today. People must stand up to workplace bullies from the start. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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.. 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. That Myers has brought in a lot of funding is great. In my view that is balanced reporting two opposite actions in response to one issue. 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. 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 . Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Is there not something to this? Huff said. and so it will be with Ms. Myers and her now rapidly unraveling tenure of abuse there at the Asheville Art Museum. Facebook . 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. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. Why some people in the public would do this, she said, I think they have no standing. My experience was traumatic. Based on these articles, the museum board is composed and operating based on a friends and family and buddy system style approach that ensures most if not all members will agree to self protect each other and fend off critiques. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. Artworks from the 21st century elucidate contemporary perspectives on the employment of pattern to inform visual vocabularies and investigations of diverse themes in the present day. I do think people who are involved in extraneous things like the gift shop, if theyre truly unhappy, Im not sure I care.. If so, I havent seen it. Asheville Community Theatre | Business Manager. 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 Asheville Art Museum re-opens with two major exhibitions, Intersections in American Art and Appalachia Now! 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. As for the lovely donor Ms. Hamill Ill let her own -nauseously entitled, and completely out of touch with reality- words speak for themselves and they speak volumes. do koalas have poisonous claws. 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. This story has Hostile Work Environment written all over it, with lots of documentation and witnesses. 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. It is an age old story. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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 Being good at one thing (raising money) does not mean you are good at everything. 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. Apologies! Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. The most recent dates shown on the N.C. Sec of State site is 2020. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. From Asheville Watchdog: Trustee who criticized director is ousted from art museum board, Around Town: Zelda Fitzgerald Week returns to Asheville, Around Town: Great Pottery Throwdown raises money for arts nonprofit, Around Town: The Vagina Monologues raises money for domestic violence nonprofit, From Asheville Watchdog: Merchants describe downtown Ashevilles descent into squalor and lawlessness, Council requests public input on budget priorities, Hillcrest High Steppin Majorettes and Drum Corps legacy endures, Safety, transit concerns raised at first Asheville budget meeting, Development roundup: Urgent care clinic, workforce housing proposed forCharlotte Highway, From Asheville Watchdog: Out of prison, former Buncombe County manager says local government was corrupt long before she arrived, Home-based child care may help with Buncombe needs, Green in brief: Duke Energy completes Hot Springs microgrid, From Asheville Watchdog: National consultant offers road map to end homelessness in Asheville again. where is the house in the carvana commercial. He said the controversy over Myers has been brewing for decades. At the Asheville Art Museum, the gift shop and the Front Desk were one and the same, meaning that those employees were front-facing and interacted with guests and served as the first impression to the Museum. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art, Come have a drink and experiment with art materials while connecting with your community! Mind you this was right before the museum was going to reopen, a supposedly exciting time to be there. The first story about the Art Museum, its board, and its director appeared more than a month ago. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Id like to be able to do that more, because Ashevilles been a great community for us to live in, Shull said. Gary Cooper, Treasurer. The Asheville Art Museums vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. Leadership Advisory Committee. On view through March 20! Your involvement is essential, now and in the future. I am really grateful to the employees and community members who are speaking out publicly. 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. I know its not very politically correct, Hamill said. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Show your support for our community by helping us power authoritative, in-depth reporting, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it. Museum Association of New York. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. 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. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center By The Numbers. The Museum acknowledges that it is situated upon the ancient, southern Appalachian ancestral homeland of the Cherokee Tribe and that this region is still the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians today. 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. The Museums galleries, theMuseum Store, andPerspective Caf are open to the public. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. Yeah, were not talking about typos or lending a hand. 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