Save the Emerson!

We have many talented and respectful people in our local arts community who can make the Emerson relevant in its purpose without gutting the community with hostility. Time to try something different!

The executive director does not reflect the art community and should be replaced

As a long time community member of over 20 years, I have continually heard how the leadership of the Emerson has been abusive to both staff and tenants. It could be such an incredible part of our community but you can now feel the sad state it is in when you enter the building. I was deeply saddened to learn that Santa would no longer start there during Christmas Stroll due to the ED and her inability to maintain partnerships with community organizations. That was the one community event that kept people coming to the Emerson. No more tree lighting, no more gingerbread house decorating inside the Emerson. From my understanding this was a 40 year tradition. Seeing the disappointed children waiting outside the Emerson expecting Santa and he didn't show. Certainly dampens the community spirit. Seeing the most recent 990 online and the low level of contributions, I am extremely concerned about the sustainability of the organization. From the other comments it appears that hiking the rent is how it's stayed afloat. I also remember the last Save the Emerson campaign related to saving the Emerson lawn. What happened to that project? The lawn seemingly is still the same lawn. I do understand they own it now, but from what I recall there were plans to enhance the area. The Emerson, and Bozeman, deserve better than this. I fully support this effort and hope The Emerson can have a full recovery.

Save the Emerson!

deleteI accepted a position at the Emerson and moved my life to Bozeman to take the job. I have never experienced a more abusive work environment. During my time settling into the community, anyone who asked why I had moved to Bozeman had a horror story about Susan when I disclosed where I had taken a job. I surfaced many issues to the board during my time working for the Emerson, which fell on deaf ears. The board continues to fail the community it serves as well as the staff employed at the Emerson by allowing Susan to abuse staff, artists, tenants, and community members. I personally witnessed racial slurs, slander, humiliation of staff, and generally abusive behavior on a daily basis during my time at the Emerson. It is time for change, it is long overdue.

1 year ago Featured

Susan has brought me to tears numerous times throughout the years, as well as others who have worked with me at the Emerson. She is a bully and needs to go. Not showing my name for fear of retribution.

Please replace the Executive Director asap. Thanks

I fully support this effort for the emerson!

Volunteer for community theater production and have been scolded like I was a child!

The success of any organization depends on competent and humane leadership. Please don't let this Executive Director destroy the Emerson.

She’s a bully. Will corner someone she feels power over and intimidate. I’m always surprised she still is there.

As a frequent visitor to Bozeman, I have been sad to see the deterioration of the Emerson. It was formerly a wonderful community arts resource with a variety of talented people and programs that have been forced to leave due to the higher rent and poor management. It is a loss for Bozeman’s creative community as well as for the many tourists who visit every year.

I requested a meeting (with an agenda) with the board and ED after a 20% rent increase with no warning. The tenants were denied a group meeting. There has been no follow up and only hints that rent will increase again. I don’t feel respected as a tenant and see the Emerson as a sad, dying organization.

The Emerson is in a sad state :(

My formal complaint last year is already registered. May hospitality return to the Emerson and hostility be in the rear view mirror. Blessings on this effort to bring much desired positive change to the Emerson.

I was really disappointed to learn that after donating to save the lawn and to supporting the center that exists to support the ARTS over the years, the Emerson is now primarily focused on maximizing their revenue by jacking up the rents charged to artists because "that's what downtown real estate is running these days." The Emerson has forgotten its purpose and lost its way.

Emerson used to be a hub of positivity, respect, collaboration, and creativity. Since my time working under the ED and the board, my experience has been anything but positive. I have been yelled at and scolded for wanting to add youth programming. I witnessed theft at summer art camp, and familes are not receiving refunds for cancellations. I have been embarrassed witnessing how she treated artists, teenage interns, and the staff. She told a kid to “shut up. And it broke my heart. I left my position with a doctor's note stating the emotional and mental abuse I suffered from working at the Emerson, which I shared with the board. I did not even receive a response, an acknowledgment of the shocking stories and examples of the abuse. Shame on you, Susan Denson Guy, Jason Baide, Lumay Wang Murphy, Mark Melief, and Lucas Swart, for your neglect and irresponsibility. It is time for a new director AND board. Let’s save the Emerson!

Save the Emerson!!!!!!!

It is ridiculous that Bozeman's premier art venue is not supportive of artists and does nothing to promote and expand the arts in our city. I'm all for saving the Emerson!

This change is way overdue. So many people in the community now do not want to work with The Emerson specifically because of Susan. This organization needs a massive overhaul of how things are done, a shift in their priorities, how their staff is treated, how funding and revenue is generated, and how to foster good relations with the Bozeman community. Susan is holding The Emerson back and doing it harm. The board should have acted years ago and been open to listening to staff in order to have prevented this whole situation from escalating. Staff should have access to the board and feel supported by administration, a Human Resources position, and have a discussion of fair and healthy work environments. The Emerson’s reputation is on the line and there is risk of this institution imploding if Susan remains. The Emerson should practice its own mission of making arts and culture accessible to everyone, not just the ones willing to put up with an unreasonable, controlling, unprofessional, caddy, and manipulative director who prioritizes raising rent above supporting working artists. No one can deny how hard this position and running a nonprofit like The Emerson can be, but it doesn’t have to be done with the disrespect and nastiness to community members, staff, and students which Susan has shown. If the board keeps Susan as Director, it will signal to Bozeman that her behavior is acceptable and many more will decide that working with The Emerson just isn’t worth it.