Only met her once or twice but the interaction was unprofessional and she was down right rude. I even had my friend do her wedding at the Emerson and it was a nightmare experience for her. We need someone who understands the Arts, our iconic Emerson and people in general! Please replace the ED!!
A
Anonymous
1 year ago
How is it possible that the board has been aware of this issue for over a year, but has clearly not resolved the issue. I have been a long time supporter of the Emerson assuming that the Emerson was serving it's vision to support the arts and the community. It sounds like the community is running out of patience, which means that donations will dry up soon.
The ED should resign in the best interest of the Emerson. She should also be ashamed of herself for such unprofessional behavior.
J
Jaime Chapman
1 year ago
Save the Emerson and the best of what’s left of Bozeman.
A
Anonymous
1 year ago
I'm afraid to state my opinion in fear of retribution as I am a long term tenant.
M
Michelle Risho
1 year ago
I witnessed the ED scolding the 406 Cirque children I was chaperoning at the 2023 Beast of Bozeman talent contest.
I used my Black Rock Ranger Training to deescalate the situation and redirect the ED’s anger and attention by introducing myself to the person who I thought was an upset parent. (Who else would be scolding children in that bent over, finger wagging fashion except a child’s mother?)
When the ED snapped upright and turned her vicious attention towards me scolding, “You know me Michelle!”, my thoughts turned to disbelief and a soft prayer. I couldn’t believe it was the ED. Dear Lord, have mercy! The ED is yelling at the kids I am chaperoning just because we used the lobby restrooms before showtime and audience members were able to see them.
This was the beginning of my discovery into the plague that has infected the Emerson.
Since that time last year, I have heard several horrifying accounts of the ED abusing indiscriminately and targeting those who rent gallery spaces, theater spaces, workers who attempt to be the buffer between her vile behavior and the public. I have spent over 50 hours listening to people share their complaints. It’s so sad and incomprehensible knowing that she is still there after all this time.
Some stories will stick with me. I will always remember to story a former ED assistant shared about being make to clean up smeared fecal matter off a bathroom stall wall. (There’s a janitor for that.)
When I shared this account at the pre-Save the Emerson rally/poster making gathering yesterday, another former assistant shared her story of being “made” to clean smeared fecal matter off the walls in the Weaver room. Knowing all that I know about what has transpired under the Emerson roof, I have to wonder who that person is smearing the fecal matter all over the walls. (Poop emoji here!)
A
Anonymous
1 year ago
Sad to see such a historic Bozeman establishment run so poorly.
M
Megan Bruce
1 year ago
The Emerson is made by the talented tenants who share there. This is unacceptable.
S
Susi Reeder
1 year ago
I’m signing for a current tenant of the Emerson who said “i’m afraid to sign petition out of fear of retribution…it’s that bad.”
L
Laura Harris
1 year ago
I was a tenant at the Emerson for 7 years before the current ED and had a wonderful experience. I have heard complaints for years from many friends at the Emerson as well as people in the community of how hard it has been to work with the current ED. I have had a number of very unsupportive and unfriendly interactions with her myself as well as my son who did an artist residency at the verge. Change is needed!
H
Heather Brittingham
1 year ago
The Emerson is one of the special places, in historic downtown, that draws people to Bozeman. It’s important to protect the places that helped us all fall in love with Bozeman. Protect the Emerson at all costs. There is no room for poor leadership&bullying.
W
Will Luitsz
1 year ago
P
Paolo marocco
1 year ago
Perché fanno cosi' aumentando?
P
Paolo Marchesi
1 year ago
I was a member for over 20 years and when I left, tired of the continuous rent increases, the Executive director bullied me. Using thousands of dollars of Emerson money in lawyer fees and very shady lawyer tactics she tried to force me into paying over 10k of money I didn't owe the Emerson, just in spite, because I protested. One classic phrase the executive director said to another tenant who tried to stand up to her was "I have a better lawyer than you do". The board members ignored my pleas and eventually I had to hire my own lawyer, a very unexpected and difficult time in my life.
Instead of putting the time into fundraising, the Emerson (Executive director) kept raising rent for the tenants making what used to be an affordable environment for artists just another Bozeman expensive rental. Please help bring the Emerson back to what it used to be, a safe place for artists where they can thrive and make this community the special place that it is.
A
Anonymous
1 year ago
Worked there years ago and she is awful, disrespectful, does not represent the Bozeman arts community well
C
Christie Quarles
1 year ago
Devastating news. Please let these voices be heard, at a BARE MINIMUM.
J
Josef Kaufmann
1 year ago
In a professional setting she is extremely rude and talks down to people.
L
Lucy Hammett
1 year ago
most difficult director not open to improve
the great potential of the Emerson
good artist leave
Only met her once or twice but the interaction was unprofessional and she was down right rude. I even had my friend do her wedding at the Emerson and it was a nightmare experience for her. We need someone who understands the Arts, our iconic Emerson and people in general! Please replace the ED!!
How is it possible that the board has been aware of this issue for over a year, but has clearly not resolved the issue. I have been a long time supporter of the Emerson assuming that the Emerson was serving it's vision to support the arts and the community. It sounds like the community is running out of patience, which means that donations will dry up soon. The ED should resign in the best interest of the Emerson. She should also be ashamed of herself for such unprofessional behavior.
Save the Emerson and the best of what’s left of Bozeman.
I'm afraid to state my opinion in fear of retribution as I am a long term tenant.
I witnessed the ED scolding the 406 Cirque children I was chaperoning at the 2023 Beast of Bozeman talent contest. I used my Black Rock Ranger Training to deescalate the situation and redirect the ED’s anger and attention by introducing myself to the person who I thought was an upset parent. (Who else would be scolding children in that bent over, finger wagging fashion except a child’s mother?) When the ED snapped upright and turned her vicious attention towards me scolding, “You know me Michelle!”, my thoughts turned to disbelief and a soft prayer. I couldn’t believe it was the ED. Dear Lord, have mercy! The ED is yelling at the kids I am chaperoning just because we used the lobby restrooms before showtime and audience members were able to see them. This was the beginning of my discovery into the plague that has infected the Emerson. Since that time last year, I have heard several horrifying accounts of the ED abusing indiscriminately and targeting those who rent gallery spaces, theater spaces, workers who attempt to be the buffer between her vile behavior and the public. I have spent over 50 hours listening to people share their complaints. It’s so sad and incomprehensible knowing that she is still there after all this time. Some stories will stick with me. I will always remember to story a former ED assistant shared about being make to clean up smeared fecal matter off a bathroom stall wall. (There’s a janitor for that.) When I shared this account at the pre-Save the Emerson rally/poster making gathering yesterday, another former assistant shared her story of being “made” to clean smeared fecal matter off the walls in the Weaver room. Knowing all that I know about what has transpired under the Emerson roof, I have to wonder who that person is smearing the fecal matter all over the walls. (Poop emoji here!)
Sad to see such a historic Bozeman establishment run so poorly.
The Emerson is made by the talented tenants who share there. This is unacceptable.
I’m signing for a current tenant of the Emerson who said “i’m afraid to sign petition out of fear of retribution…it’s that bad.”
I was a tenant at the Emerson for 7 years before the current ED and had a wonderful experience. I have heard complaints for years from many friends at the Emerson as well as people in the community of how hard it has been to work with the current ED. I have had a number of very unsupportive and unfriendly interactions with her myself as well as my son who did an artist residency at the verge. Change is needed!
The Emerson is one of the special places, in historic downtown, that draws people to Bozeman. It’s important to protect the places that helped us all fall in love with Bozeman. Protect the Emerson at all costs. There is no room for poor leadership&bullying.
Perché fanno cosi' aumentando?
I was a member for over 20 years and when I left, tired of the continuous rent increases, the Executive director bullied me. Using thousands of dollars of Emerson money in lawyer fees and very shady lawyer tactics she tried to force me into paying over 10k of money I didn't owe the Emerson, just in spite, because I protested. One classic phrase the executive director said to another tenant who tried to stand up to her was "I have a better lawyer than you do". The board members ignored my pleas and eventually I had to hire my own lawyer, a very unexpected and difficult time in my life. Instead of putting the time into fundraising, the Emerson (Executive director) kept raising rent for the tenants making what used to be an affordable environment for artists just another Bozeman expensive rental. Please help bring the Emerson back to what it used to be, a safe place for artists where they can thrive and make this community the special place that it is.
Worked there years ago and she is awful, disrespectful, does not represent the Bozeman arts community well
Devastating news. Please let these voices be heard, at a BARE MINIMUM.
In a professional setting she is extremely rude and talks down to people.
most difficult director not open to improve the great potential of the Emerson good artist leave
I worked there and it was completely awful
Help!
Do Better! Be Better!!