Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:39 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Alexander Lloyd
Beverly Prior
Jeannene Przyblyski
Commissioners Absent
Maya Draisin
Staff Present
Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar
Interim Deputy Director Catherine Direen
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton
Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
- Interim Director’s Report
Ms. Gonchar reported that she met with Mayor Newsom to discuss a number of Arts Commission initiatives, including the new Arts and Communities grant opportunity, and upcoming temporary public art projects, such as Louise Bourgeois’s Crouching Spider sculpture to be installed on the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building. She also proposed an event in October as part of National Arts and Humanities Month to celebrate Arts Commission grantees, and artists who received public art commissions and gallery exhibitions; and to inaugurate an annual Mayoral Arts Award. This year, we will also celebrate the fortieth year of the Neighborhood Arts Program. The Mayor received this proposal enthusiastically.
Ms. Gonchar reported on the status of the mural at 24th and Capp Streets, which is being painted by H.O.M.E.Y., and a portion of which has drawn strong reactions. She explained that the Visual Arts Committee approved the proposal and sketch submitted at the beginning of the project, but that the controversial section differed significantly from what was submitted. The Committee has now sent the project back to the artists to create consensus with the community. Ms. Manton reviewed the history of the site, the Visual Arts Committee’s deliberations, public testimony at the Committee’s last meeting, and staff discussions with various interested members of the community, as well as the status of the contract with the Department of Parking and Traffic (“DPT”), which owns the site. She reported that staff has received a great deal of correspondence and many phone calls, both in opposition to and in support of the mural.
The Commissioners held a long discussion about the mural and the appropriate role of the Commission as regards a publicly-funded artwork on City property.
- Update on Search for Director of Cultural Affairs
Ms. Gonchar left the meeting as President Johnston began the discussion. He explained that he had met with Deputy City Attorney Adine Varah, who advised that because Ms. Gonchar is a candidate for the position, she should not be in the room when the Committee is discussing the position, although the meeting remains an open meeting. He explained that once the Committee begins to discuss the merits of one candidate versus another, those discussions will be held in closed session.
President Johnston introduced search consultant Heather Renschler of Ralph Andersen and Associates. She explained that she had met with staff, as well as with some of the Commissioners, and was compiling a list of community stakeholders who are not candidates. She presented a draft brochure describing the agency and the position, and explained that she hoped to work with President Johnston and the Committee to fine-tune the brochure. The brochure says that resumes will be reviewed on September 30, but that the position remains open until filled.
President Johnston reiterated that he didn’t feel that a fancy graphic presentation was needed, that several well-qualified potential candidates are ready to submit their letters of application, and that it is important to move quickly through the process.
Ms. Renschler replied that she will screen applicants according to the broad qualifications listed in the announcement, and will review the screened candidates with the Committee in closed session shortly after September 30. Once the top-tier candidates are identified, she will meet with them in person, if local, or by phone, if not. She explained that the goal was to find a core group to bring forward to interview by late October.
In the meantime, Ms. Renschler said, she is continuing to meet with staff and other stakeholders. She estimated that the Committee would want two to three hours for interviews. President Johnston asked the Commission Secretary to work with him and Ms. Varah to clarify the notice requirements for these closed-session meetings, and the Committee discussed possible dates in the last half of October. President Johnston remarked that this position is somewhat unusual in that the Commission rather than the Mayor appoints the Director of Cultural Affairs, but that he did not wish to create a conflict with the Mayor in so doing. Ms. Renschler commented that part of her job is to advise the Committee in this regard.
- Public Comment
There was no public comment.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
spr 9/7/07
