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 Museum’s Board of Trustees.

Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. 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. 

It is well-past time for the Board of Trustees of the Asheville Art Museum to remove Pam Myers as Executive Director.

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.

Our Asheville Art Museum is a nonprofit founded by artists. We fully believe in its vision to transform lives through art. This vision fails when it can’t provide a sustainable livelihood and psychologically safe workplace environment for its employees. 

We need a Museum that honors art handlers, curators, communications staff, docents, program leaders, and community builders alike. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. We need ethical and compassionate leadership from the Executive Director and Board. We need a Museum that supports every person involved in creating and sustaining exhibitions, programs, building its permanent collection, and upholding the institution’s mission to engage with all who walk through its great glass doors.

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. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now.

Read more: 

“Ousted Trustee Describes ‘Culture of Fear’ at Asheville Art Museum,” Hyperallergic, 11/18/22

https://hyperallergic.com/781084/ousted-trustee-describes-culture-of-fear-at-asheville-art-museum/

“Trustee Who Criticized Director Is Ousted from Art Museum Board,” Asheville Watchdog, 11/17/22

https://avlwatchdog.org/trustee-ousted-from-museum-board/

 

“Not A Pretty Picture at the Asheville Art Museum,” Asheville Watchdog, 11/9/22

https://avlwatchdog.org/not-a-pretty-picture-at-the-asheville-art-museum/