Over 35 people have either retired, resigned or been fired in the directors reign. 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. Big changes happened in the Museum building during our major expansion and renovation project right in the heart of downtown Asheville. Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. One must assume that Ms. Myers makes all major curatorial decisions, also. After getting a million or more from the City, is the Art Museum still enjoying public funding? I tried to stand in front of Pam. To connect with us, please visit our Contact page. 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. Who can clean up the Asheville Art Museum? The Asheville Art Museum Collectors' Circle held their seventh annual selection dinner on January 17, 2011. 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. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Saenger responded in an Aug. 9 email that while it is important that trustees are informed as to staffing needs, etc., personal details are restricted by state and federal policy.. 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. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. He said an Asheville Watchdog investigative story last week, in which Weitzman was quoted supporting ex-employees who complained of a toxic workplace, had tainted the image of the museum., As a final straw, Saenger said, Pamela Myers, the museums executive director, and a couple of others were threatened at a museum party the night of Nov. 10. Its an art museum of American art, thats its sole focus. I recently found out that more than one employee that filed for unemployment during Covid (which the museum accepted) later had lawsuits filed against them by Lindsay and Pam to repay all the money they received because the museum forced everyone to work (many in person in the office) through the beginning of Covid leaving folks with kids, elderly and disabled with no way of earning money. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. I spoke to current board members when I left, but clearly no action was take. An outspoken member of the Asheville Art Museum's board, the only current trustee to speak publicly about employee complaints of mistreatment, was ousted from the board Tuesday and removed as a museum volunteer. The museum held a member appreciation party Nov. 10, the day after the Watchdog story appeared. Having said that, my guess is that this situation will not end well for Meyers or the board if the current direction continues. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. 120 College Street. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Kathleen A. 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. Image Requests To request images for publication or other uses, click here to complete our request for image use form. What, because I spoke up? she said. 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. @ Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library, Asheville Restaurant Week Returns January 17-23, Warren Wilson College Announces Courses for Lifelong Learners, Asheville City Schools Graduation Rate Above State Average, How to Dispose of, or Recycle, That Christmas Tree, Flat Rock Playhouse Announces 2023 Music on the Rock Concert Series, Employment Agencies, Consultants & Businesses. Open daily 11am6pm. This success can be attributed to the great work the staff did in marketing and administration. Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. 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. 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.. Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. The top-down arrogance (Youre in my house) is appalling and is too typical of what happens when a former backwater city gains some fame, albeit largely through tourism. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. He said an Asheville Watchdog investigative story last week, in which Weitzman was quoted supporting ex-employees who complained of a toxic workplace, had tainted the image of the museum., As a final straw, Saenger said, Pamela Myers, the museums executive director, and a couple of others were threatened at a museum party the night of Nov. 10. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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 Mark-Ellis Bennett A docent was permanently removed from the board and the docent corps for speaking up about the director. The staff all seemed so pleasant, and my family enjoyed the art, staff and cafe. 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. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? The Collectors' Circle is dedicated to increasing their own knowledge about art and collecting, while also growing the Museum's Permanent Collection through annual purchases from an acquisition fund created by yearly dues. Asheville for dates. Some people are really great at certain functions. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. 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 Museum was founded in 1948, and we've had many wonderful years of growth. Asheville Art Museum The newly renovated Asheville Art Museum at night The Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina (WNC) and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Answer Man: Where are the street sweepers? I hardly said anything. If so, time for a review/investigation to assist the Board in seeing the light? I had a very disappointing and surprising interaction with Ms. Myers many years ago, when I brought about 30 tribal childrens paintings from India, which I thought she might be interested in as they were part of an initiative to train gifted children to carry on Warli Tribal painting traditions. 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 Perspective Caf is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. I am disappointed that the Board of the Museum is so insecure that the only way they can deal with differences is by throwing out the person who differs with the majority view. Acrylic and mixed media on board Dimensions. 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. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. So we tear down the Vance Monument but leave the Queen of the Glass Palace in place? It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. 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. Coronavirus update: Updated bivalent Covid-19 boosters are now available. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. I would hope that they have more skills and resources to deal with conflict than exclusion. Op Ed published on 9/29/13 in the Asheville Citizen Times City Wise to Invest in Museum Expansion. In charge of it all is a board of trustees with full authority over the museum's affairs, and one that operates out of public view, often yielding to the will of its long-time executive director, Pamela Myers. Our mission is to encourage young professionals across industries to learn, support, and ultimately invest in diverse and . We need a Museum that supports every person involved in creating and sustaining exhibitions, programs, building its permanent collection, and upholding the institutions mission to engage with all who walk through its great glass doors. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. After all it is the legal and societal duty of a board member to question and chal- Contact her at skestin@avlwatchdog.org. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. 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. 2 South Pack Square. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. It was not an attack.. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. All I can say is this is not the museum that I have known and loved for so long.. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Museum building during our major expansion renovation! Week, the day after the event our major expansion and renovation project right in the Art! 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