She urged her fellow trustees to ask for Myerss resignation and to find a new executive director. It is a travesty that numerous other board members have long turned a blind eye to the serious, ongoing harm to employees that Ms. Weitzman was asking them to put a stop to. The Power Plant, a leading contemporary art space on Toronto's waterfront, has lost nearly its entire board of directors, with 24 out of 27 of its members resigning en masse earlier this week.The members who resigned have done so due to objections to the institution's management by an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Harbourfront Centre, and have called for the institution to be held . It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Your email address will not be published. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. He said Weitzman had disrupted board meetings and had inappropriate communications with staff. Thats absurd, Krider said. 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. Pre-purchased online tickets are encouraged; walk-in tickets are also available. 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. She couldnt have cared less. After getting a million or more from the City, is the Art Museum still enjoying public funding? He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. 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. It only takes a moment. The entire Board is failing to uphold its responsibility and purpose by not taking the Museum employees and their advocates as their first priority. The directors autocratic management style is well-known. January 23, 2020 GMAT coaching in Chandigarh/Punjab. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. You may have built the house, but setting up a throne in it makes a rotten endeavor. My generals ..and my highly classified documents. If you are still unsure about studying overseas, it is always good to speak to an experienced person who can help you point in the right direction. And at what cost to the employees? 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. How do we get rid of Myers and her bootlickers on the Board? Yes, John Grooms! The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. 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. Does Pam have the museum board over a barrel, given all the board member remarks about all the money she brings in? I dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. Kudos to Michelle Weitzman for the compassion, integrity, and courage she demonstrated as an Asheville Art Museum board member. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. Leave, I did. Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the Museum is committed to being a vital force in community and individual development and to providing lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through the visual arts. Emails provided by Weitzman show she raised employee concerns beginning in March 2022. This responsibility overrides all styleand Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. 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. Coronavirus update: Updated bivalent Covid-19 boosters are now available. But Zahler also referenced all the good work.. North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art, Drop into our studio to experiment freely and collaborate using different materials, tools, and techniques! Or do you simply disagree with her management style? hummm reporting decidedly relevant news.. with multiple quotes from her completely compliant and [now] unanimously supportive board; definitely ..as your man TheRump says ad infinitum ..a Witch Hunt !! I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. The salary is probably in line with what other people at that level get paid, and Im sure that there are more than enough private donations to cover her salary so that no tax-payer dollars are used. Thank you, and stay well! Richard Napier, Idaho Mountain Trading. Thorough and revealing (and entertaining!). Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. We want everyone to have access to our stories. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Art is certainly important, but the quality of the education leaders for our children should be primary. Also, while it may be true that toxicity exists in many museums and nonprofits, it is wholly unacceptable to settle for the status quo. 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. Will you do the same? The only people still working at the KIA that were there when the director came 8 years ago are the maintenance men (after getting $605K in PPP, she only rehired maintenance, not anyone she laid off). After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. I have lived in Asheville since 1979 and am a visual artist. Cancel culture?!?! Some art lovers thank their lucky stars for Meyers. A board that shuns this responsibility will lead to the demise of the organization. With the Museums major renovation and expansion project comes even greater opportunities to transform lives through art. She described the board as hand-picked and curated supporters of Myers, who has been director of the museum for 27 years. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. This is no joke. The selection of objects displayed illustrates how Breslers eye for collecting craft not only draws attention to nature and artists interest in it, but also accentuates her role as a natural collector with an intuitive ability to identify themes and ideas that speak to one another. She should stick to that. Opinion: Mark Meadows Skates on Voter Fraud Charge. Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. . Saenger then polled the trustees. I suspect these actions will anger and incite resignations among the docents organization , an essential AAM support group as they learn how their chosen leader and representative was treated. Staff & Board | Asheville Area Arts Council Staff Katie Cornell Executive Director 828.222.0436 katie@ashevillearts.com Bringing people together through the arts is Katie's passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. The Adult Studio program was popular as all of my classes were filled to overflowing. By the way, not only was my seat removed from the board, but also the seat of the other person who voted against the contract. Benites said he was terribly distressed by the incident at the party. 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. This is the inevitable -but alas very predictable- retribution for the curtain being pulled aside by the Asheville Watchdog expose. But we have been updating inside and out, to build on our past and move forward so that we may thrive far into the 21st century. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. 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. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. And the sycophants & lickspittles fawning over her psyche & clamoring on how theyve been emotionally upset by this icky reality thing. 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? Rep. Richard Hudson (R) introduced national reciprocity for concealed carry in the 118th Congress on Monday night. The city does not own the museum or manage its operations. The word used by three former staff is traumatic. , Kevin Click, the board vice-chair and a former human resources executive, said in a written response to questions from Asheville Watchdog that Myers has been very positive about the coaching and feedback she is receiving.. Wonder if the job description for director of finance and operations includes wine glass removal. Without it we get a situation like this. 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 server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Asheville Art Museum Association Inc. has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. Money. Is the Asheville Art Museum a public institution meant to serve citizens or merely Ms. Myers house and the boards plaything. (And, sorry I just dont see how those who fire someone for speaking out can use the word cancel culture. All voted in favor of removing Weitzman. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. After an exodus of five Board members this summer, the remaining members have not yet shown that they value Museum staff above the reputation of Myers. Its a shame to the city to continue to support these overly entitled people. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. 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. 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. 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. Utilizing the current building footprint of the Museum, this environmentally friendly project includes the historic preservation of the Museums current North Wing (the 1926 Pack Library building), renovation of prior Museum spaces, and new construction to transform current disparate spaces into a cohesive, coherent, and inviting Museum. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. 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. Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE Chair of the Board @ foundation, museum, inn, & school. 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. Open Monday - Saturday 11am to 5pm. I love when TheRump ends with that you always know more bad news is inevitably on the way. Is there not something to this? Huff said. 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. It is lazy. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Shame! My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. The building is beautiful. 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 Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. The high handed kicking her off of the board and a docent and as the representative of the docents sets in motion disastrous community relations problems. 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