Ann Arbor Art Center

I worked there for 13 years with one 5% raise in all those years along with regular promises from the board of directors that they would make the situation right as soon as the organization became cash positive. When that finally happened, I was forced to resign after the president, who had no experience in nonprofits or the arts and very little experience outside of the auto industry, told me that she thought I was overpaid and that I’d never get a raise as long as she was in charge. When, three weeks later, I turned in my notice, she stood in my office with tears streaming down her face simultaneously begging me to stay and telling me if I left she’d have people lined up down the block to take my job for far less than I was getting paid. Because of my loyalty to the Art Center, I gave an extended three week notice to give her time to hire someone to replace me. We discussed and agreed on a final pay schedule including the payout of three and a half weeks worth of accrued PTO that was owed to me. I worked the full notice that we’d agreed on, trained a temp to take my place, and left. However, when it was time for me get my final paycheck, she waited until it was direct-deposited into my back account, then she had the payroll company debit it back out of my account, and reissue it, minus more than $2,200 in PTO that she’d agreed to pay me out in exchange for my extended leave and continued support after I left. When I asked for an explanation, she told me that she had decided not to pay out my PTO after all and not to contact her again. When I contacted the board of directors to file a complaint, she had the board attorney send me a cease and desist letter demanding I not contact the Art Center again, accusing me of slander, harassment, and threatening to sue me for defamation if I didn’t keep quiet about how I was treated when I left. While this organization has a long history of serving the Ann Arbor art community, the current management does not deserve to be patronized. If you choose do business with them, watch your back.
1 7 years ago (01-02-2018)

Just went to a talk at the Westgate branch AADL all about intellectual property and legal issues for artists. It was super informative & much appreciated. Thank you for holding this free event. Keep em coming!
5 7 years ago (28-03-2018)

Lots of cool art here. I came for the millennial pink exhibit which was really pink. The place itself is really cool, worth spending a little time walking around and checking everything out.
5 7 years ago (21-10-2017)

The Ann Arbor Art Center helped shape Ann Arbor as much as the university did. I have always counted on the upstairs gallery for a fresh, edgy and relevant show. It makes me miss great spaces lost now, like the Gallerie Jacques or the Gallery Project. Good thing the Penny Stamps project keeps up the level in town. This is a place to go if you want to keep a finger on the pulse of Midwestern art, especially now that Selo Sheval has shuttered.
5 7 years ago (21-10-2017)

I love Ann Arbor Art Center--the classes and the staff are wonderful. It is a great place to pick up a gift or an art piece. Don't forget to see the artist exhibits too.
5 7 years ago (21-08-2017)