I think this is horrible., Zahler added that he was supposed to be making the motion to remove Weitzman, but obviously I got on a little too late I would like to second that motion.. Eight others complained to board members David Huff and Darren Green, beginning in 2020. Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. If you love unique and creative art, definitely drop in here. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Weitzman pressed on after Saenger became the chair, asking for more information on employee complaints, staff exit interviews, and the executive coach that had been brought in for Myers and senior leaders, emails show. This Educational Organization is headquartered in Asheville, NC. 4. In fact, by the third story there were not even responses from the organization/board to the reporters inquiries. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. 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. Youre focusing on me and refusing to focus on the problem, Pams leadership inability, Weitzman said. 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. 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. Hamill said she was unmoved by the employee complaints detailed by Asheville Watchdog. For as little as $5 a month the cost of a craft beer or kombucha you can help keep local journalism strong. I see lawsuits as several laws appear to have been violated. 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.. In further checking the solicitation license had been applied for and received in 2022. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? It sounds like that is not happening, and that is not sustainable. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center By The Numbers. Asheville-born interdisciplinary artist Sherrill Rolands socially driven practice draws upon his experience with wrongful incarceration for a crime he did not commit and seeks to open conversations about how we care for our communities and one another with compassion and understanding. It was not an attack.. Students in grades 712 from all across Western North Carolina are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. 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. Do something before this bites the museum where no amount of fundraising skills will help. I have also strictest the hell museum off my to do and support list. I was often told by Pam government organizations, local funders, and others didnt support the arts in Asheville-it was made very clear they did not support her. 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. Krider, according to Weitzman, continued with her rant about a terrible way to run an organization.. do koalas have poisonous claws. 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. The artworks in this exhibition demonstrate the vibrant and varied approaches to pattern and decoration in art. This is not harsh and demanding. My generals ..and my highly classified documents. If there are additional episodes of improper staff involvement, I will bring this to the trustees to consider your continuing on the board., On 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. 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. 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 It struck me at the time that it was odd she couldnt take five minutes to dash off a quick note. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Open Thursdays 11am9pm | Reserve tickets now. Right, not only does Ms. Meyers need to be replaced immediately her unquestioningly compliant board of trustees does as well. 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. 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. And Im sorry to say, Michelle, youre no longer on the board. Christina Carr, an AAM member, serves on the board of the Museum Trustee Association and co-chairs the fundraising advisory board at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Ms. Hamill sounds elitist, uncaring and out of touch. 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. She and other current board members, as well as past board . It just makes me livid., And the board is closing ranks, Bleakney said, instead of responding with possibly a community roundtable or a community forum, a way to open up and connect and talk about these issues.. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. 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? Yes, she can be harsh and demanding, but who wants typos and bad grammar on a press release? 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. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. Being good at one thing (raising money) does not mean you are good at everything. See here for our terms of service. On view through March 20! "We wanted the building to be . He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. This is one octogenarian who maybe shouldnt have access to a computer, or at the very least remember to click next when reviewing the states list of documents. I think this is horrible., Zahler added that he was supposed to be making the motion to remove Weitzman, but obviously I got on a little too late I would like to second that motion.. It is compliance and should fall to the CFO or COOin this case the same individualthe museum was under an extension when I arrived and remained so when I left. An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Luzene Hill advocates for Indigenous sovereigntylinguistically, culturally, and individually. 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. asheville art museum board of directors asheville art museum board of directors. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. 6,000+ Collaborations with Artists + Organizations. 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. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. 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. 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. This has nothing to do with taking constructive criticism for writing mistakes or annoyance for pitching in after events or programs. Saenger then polled the trustees. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! The Asheville Art Museum is committed to being an active leader against racism. She and other current board members, as well as past board chairs, would only answer questions submitted in writing. Unpopular Opinion but Reality: 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. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus. Thank you, and stay well! 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. For immediate assistance or general inquiries, please call 828.253.3227. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. To see this come out in the open is not surprising Im not shocked by any of it. Books, jewelry, plush, games, activity kits, apparel, minerals & specimens, AMOS logo gear and more; all available in our unique museum store! Sort of like Im shocked, shocked to see abusive behavior going on as someone walks up and says here are your (entitlement) winnings. 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. Asheville Art Museum 114 Literary, Art & Music Tours Art Museums Downtown Asheville By carriemjax The permanent collection had a broad variety, Jasper Jones to local Appalachian artists. Were pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. 990 statements can be interesting. 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? Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut . There were absurd breaches of my personal and professional boundaries. Leave, I did. Phone (828) 254-7162 Email info@ashevillescience.org Participating member of the North Carolina Grassroots Science Museums collaborative with education funding by the North Carolina General Assembly. Heres a woman whos done a tremendous amount for the community, has actually put Asheville on the map..