Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Maya Draisin
Sherri Young
Commissioners Absent
Jeannene Przyblyski
Staff Present
Director of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
Program Manager Vicky Knoop
- Grove Street Arts Center Feasibility Study Report
Kyri McClellan, of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (“MOEWD”), reported that she was profoundly disappointed that the proposed agreement with SFJAZZ to develop an arts center at Van Ness and Grove had fallen through. She explained that negotiations with the private owner of the corner parcel had not gone as MOEWD had hoped, and that SFJAZZ’s internal analysis indicated that they would have to go beyond their budget to adapt their design to the Grove Street site. Mr. Cancel noted that SFJAZZ had never accepted the City’s argument about the value to them of being directly on the Civic Center.
Ms. McClellan said that it was important to resolve the disposition of the privately-owned corner parcel before any further plans could be developed. She added that the contract with Economics Research Associates (“ERA”) still had funds remaining, and that they would do further analysis, but only once MOEWD has more information to give them.
In response to a question, Ms. McClellan said that she thought SFJAZZ would have withdrawn from the proposed agreement because of their strict budget constraints, even if the private landowner had agreed. Mr. Cancel suggested that there might be other creative ways to leverage the property to get the space the Arts Commission needs. Ms. McClellan agreed to maintain close communication with the Arts Commission.
- Director’s Report
Mr. Cancel reported that he was continuing his research on the Contemporary Art Museum at the Presidio (“CAMP”) proposal, meeting with Presidio Trust Executive Director Craig Middleton. He planned to submit a written report to the Commission, as well as responding to the Mayor’s call for comments from City departments to be incorporated in the City’s response to the Environmental Impact Report. Ms. McClellan noted that the public comment period was scheduled to end on September 19, although she thought it might be extended.
Mr. Cancel reported that he had worked closely with Chief Accountant Kan Htun and with Development Director Rachelle Axel in the absence of Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar, to review the complete financial picture for the Arts Commission, including all funding sources and which expenses each source pays. Mr. Cancel is working with Program Directors to track expenditures more closely during the year. He is in contact with the Mayor’s Budget Office regarding the disproportionate effect on the cultural community of indiscriminate budget cuts, including elimination of addbacks. He also noted that cuts to the Arts Commission disproportionately affect small arts organizations and social service organizations with arts programs.
The Committee discussed the difficulty of having a significant portion of the agency’s budget come through addbacks, particularly when the funds are restricted, rather than having the agency simply funded to provide the needed services. Staff has highlighted the Mayor’s policy priorities affected by the budget cuts, as well as initiatives addressing issues raised by the Arts Task Force.
Turning to the Mexican Museum, Mr. Cancel reported that he has enlisted the support of the San Francisco Foundation to craft a proposal to offer them funding, including payment of back rent, in conjunction with an initiative to significantly expand their board, and to work with them to develop a solid regional and national profile. The Museum would conduct a national search for a new director. Mr. Cancel reported that, following the Mayor’s request that he brief City Librarian Luis Herrera and City Treasurer and Tax Collector José Cisneros, both support the plan.
Mr. Cancel reported that he is meeting with the Exploratorium for preliminary discussions on the possible development of Piers 15 and 17; some ideas include an arts incubator, or affordable studio space. Commissioner Przyblyski suggested that he review proposals for the development of Pier 70 by a consortium of arts groups some years earlier, during the dot-com boom. She noted that the size of the financial requirements ultimately scuttled that project.
- Deputy Director’s Report
In the absence of Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar, Development Director Rachelle Axel, acting in her stead, began her report by expressing a newfound respect for Ms. Gonchar.
She reported several personnel changes at the agency: Gallery Manager Dana Hemenway has left the Arts Commission to pursue graduate studies at Mills College. Aimee Le Duc, formerly of Southern Exposure, will take her position on September 9. In the Cultural Equity Grants Program, Interim Program Associate Weston Teruya and Program Aide Corrine Matesich will be working through the next several months of grant applications. In the Public Art Program, there are two new positions being hired to work on the Central Subway and Transbay Terminal projects. Half of the new accounting position will be dedicated to Public Art. Finally, Collections Registrar Marcus Davies is now full-time.
Mr. Cancel added that the language for the proposed zone C-3 percent-for-art ordinance has been finalized, and that the proposed ordinance will go to the Visual Arts Committee for their approval, and will begin moving through the legislative process soon.
Ms. Axel reported that the Mayor has chosen Alonzo King to receive the Art Award, and that preparations for the October 1 event are underway. Mr. King will be flying back from British Columbia (where he is premiering a choreography) for this honor. His company, LINES Ballet, is presenting a premiere at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 17.
Mr. Cancel reported that three new Commissioners have been sworn in: John Calloway, Lorraine García-Nakata and Cass Calder Smith. President Johnston said that new Committee assignments would be announced at the September full Commission meeting.
- Public Art Fund Expenditure
Mr. Cancel explained that, as he has dug more deeply into the Arts Commission’s budget, he came to understand that the core administrative costs of running the agency are not covered by the legislative appropriations, and it is clear that one can’t run an agency without funding it. Commissioner Przyblyski presented the following motion.
Motion to approve the allocation of $139,800 from the Public Art Fund to support several activities including the Mayor’s Art Award, the Arts Commission Gallery, the Arts Commission Planning Retreat expenses, and other administrative functions.
- Public Comment
There was no further public comment.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
spr 10/3/08
