asheville art museum board of directors

Closed Tuesdays. Zahler mentioned an issue, an apparent reference to employee complaints about Myerss management dating to at least 2015. Youre no longer a volunteer.. . Nonprofit journalism in the public interest. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. The fact that many have shared this sentiment and the board continues to take no meaningful action is ludicrous. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. The Disturbing Details Behind the Bird Flu and Egg Prices. At the board meeting Tuesday, Benites said he was terribly, terribly upset by the incident. 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.. The board twice brought in an executive coach, but staff complaints about Myers's management style persisted. 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. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. Commentary This article was originally published in American Thinker Consumers can take a lot, but when you start raisin Asked for comment, Benites wrote that after significant discussion the board had decided to have all communications be with the chair.. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. Who would suggest changing her role to focus on what she appears to be good at, and not what she is evidently not good at? 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. She couldnt have cared less. Contact her at [email protected]. CEO expert in marketing/PR, global fundraising authority, streaming Exec. 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 new Asheville Art Museum facility enhances the Museum's presentations of American art of the 20 th and 21 st . Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. Asheville, NC 28801. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. 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. Ste.230, Austin TX 78759 Store Cart ; Toggle search Toggle navigation. 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. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. Former trustee Michelle Weitzman claims her removal was a retaliatory action by the North Carolina institution's director, Pamela Myers, following an substantial investigation by the . Asheville, NC 28801. Saenger then polled the trustees. Open Wednesdays 11am6pm | Reserve tickets now. 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. Please join us, the artists, arts professionals, and arts leaders of Western North Carolina, in signing this petition to remove Pam Myers from her position and start the process of reestablishing trust and transparency with our entire community. Do they have any idea how embarrassing their behavior is? This is a serious disincentive for talented people to apply for professional positions at AAM. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. She imperiously, very rudely and with great toxicity showed me the door. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place. The Asheville Art Museum is the sole museum to garner three Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Awards in the 2022 competition! . And I thought that I was the only volunteer ever to be fired. I think well move on with our agenda now. Exhibition Title: Asheville Art . But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Written by Sally Kestin, Asheville Watchdog. MakerSpace: Third Thursday with Artist Aspen Johnston. 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. We have never censored or disciplined a trustee for expressing differing views or opinions. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. It only takes a moment. Required fields are marked *. 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. We are the only nonprofit visual arts museum serving all 24 counties in Western North Carolina. I hardly said anything. At some point words need to translate into both action and changed behavior, not just more words. The new director came in Fall of 2014 and since then 31 people have quit. Two recent articles in the Asheville Watchdog have exposed how Pam Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum, has routinely mistreated Museum staff during her tenure, creating a culture of fear, retaliation, and high attrition that has twice been brought to the Museums Board of Trustees. They dont want to hear. New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida.It was founded in 1960 as a private institution known simply as New College, spent several years merged into the University of South Florida, and in 2001 became an autonomous college, the eleventh independent school of the State University System of Florida. 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. This vision fails when it cant provide a sustainable livelihood and psychologically safe workplace environment for its employees. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Also, while it may be true that toxicity exists in many museums and nonprofits, it is wholly unacceptable to settle for the status quo. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. I tried to stand in front of Pam. Sep 2021 - Present1 year 5 months. I have never experienced someone with so little emotional intelligence and managerial ability. 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. 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. There are many ways that you can become involved and be a part of this extraordinary community endeavor. So California Woke values complainer got the boot for causing problems. It is obvious that her interpersonal skills are lacking, in spite of previous training and consulting. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Email [emailprotected]. 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 the meantime, 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 Museum's future, and call for the removal of Pam Myers as Executive Director. Asheville Art Museum opening events All events are held at 2 S. Pack Square. Ms. Stackhouse, no one is arguing that Pam did a good job (in certain parts of her job). The ArtWORKS for Asheville Capital Campaign has been very successful due to the generosity of our board of trustees, close supporters, government, foundation, and corporate supporters from within Buncombe County, North Carolina, and nationally. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. 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. 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.. This is what was decided seven years ago, and it is the same today.. Acrylic and mixed media on board Dimensions. Its an embarrassment. She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. Yes, It Stinks, Information About Holiday Water Failures Is Trickling Out, as Asheville Officials Meet in Private. 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. If so, time for a review/investigation to assist the Board in seeing the light? In a town as small as Asheville, everyone knows everyone and there is no scandal in that. 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.

Robert Mccoy Obituary, Demande Manuscrite Pdf, Chuu Loona Grandfather President, Articles A