Full_Commission
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, August 2, 2004
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Interim President Brown called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
Anne Brauer
Blanche Brown
Andrea Cochran
Maya Draisin
William Meyer
Jeannene Przyblyski
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Dugald Stermer
Ethel Pitts Walker
Commissioners Absent
Rod Freebairn-Smith
P.J. Johnston
Janice Mirikitani
Dave Stroud
Dede Wilsey
Shelley Bradford Bell
- Approval of Minutes
The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-161: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of July 12, 2004.
NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
- President’s Report
Interim President Brown reported on receipt of a grant from the California Arts Council (CAC) of $5,000, which will be used for the Community Arts and Education (CAE) arts education programs.
She reported that the Executive Committee was concerned about the current progress with the School District on the Arts Education Master Plan after the recent meeting which included Commissioner Brown, Mr. Newirth, Arts Education Officer Rachelle Axel and representatives of the District. CAE Program Director Judy Nemzoff and Ms. Axel will meet with the District again on Thursday, August 5. Commissioner Brown pointed out that the Mayor’s office wants to work on this plan, and that Ms. Axel has worked on it for the last eight months. Commissioner Brown has a meeting scheduled with the Mayor later this week, and intends to talk with him about the plan.
- Director’s Report
Mr. Newirth reported news on the gallery. He attended a meeting at SPUR on the disposition of surplus property, along with Commissioner Freebairn-Smith. Mr. Newirth asked about plans for 155 Grove and there are apparently no plans to dispose of it. If the space were to be developed, they would encourage mixed use. He also reported on a project for the gallery windows at 155 Grove, which will tell the history of the gallery in the windows.
Mr. Newirth reported on the most recent meeting of the Arts Forum, held shortly after announcement of the decision not to pursue the merger of the Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts. He said that many questions remain about what will happen, how the arts in San Francisco will move forward.
He announced a gallery fundraiser set for October 15. A forum on the arts will be held at the Commonwealth Club on August 30; Mr. Newirth was asked to introduce the series of events and talk about how the Arts Commission works with the arts in the City.
He sadly announced that the Chinatown Cultural Center will be closed at the end of August.
He announced that the Vaillancourt and UN Plaza fountains have been turned on. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon asked whether they will stay on. Commissioner Przyblyski said that she had seen plans for UN Plaza which include a permanent barrier around the fountain. She thinks this may be a problem, and can’t really imagine a good barrier. Apparently the Department of Public Works (DPW) has concerns about people sitting there, because they removed all the benches. Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar said that the project had already come before the Civic Design Review Committee. The fountain is in Beaux Arts style, and is designed to be approachable. Commissioner Meyer wondered whether if the barrier were installed without Arts Commission approval, the Arts Commission would be able to order it removed. There was also an unfavorable mention of a proposal to remove the statue of Simon Bolivar.
Mr. Newirth will make a five-minute presentation on the arts element of the master plan to the Planning Commission. He reported that the transition of the African American Arts and Culture Center to an independent nonprofit will be finalized by the next meeting of Community Arts and Education. He distributed a review of the Global Priority show at the gallery. Finally, he pointed out the final agenda items, intended to start discussions on how the Commissioners see their engagement in the future of the Commission.
- Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-162
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the amended Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
Approval of Committee Minutes
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-163: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of July 19, 2004.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-164: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of July 20, 2004.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-165: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2004.
Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (July 19, 2004)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-166: Motion to approve Laguna Honda Hospital Replacement Project Phase 3.
Executive Committee Recommendations (July 20, 2004)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-167: Motion to approve the following individuals as panelists for the Cultural Equity Grants panel pool:
Claire Aguilar, filmmaker and Director of Programs for Independent Television Service
LindaKay Brown, Director the San Francisco Silent Film Festival
Keina Davis Elswick, painter
Spenser Nakasako, film and video maker
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-168: Motion to approve recommendations for 14 grants in the 2004 cycle of the Individual Artists Commissions category totaling $139,900.
Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (July 21, 2004)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-169: Motion to approve the relocation of the Whale Fountain by Robert Howard from the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park to City College on Phelan Avenue.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-170: Motion to approve the relocation of the statue of Juan Bautista de Anza to the Sunset Circle at the end of Sunset Boulevard at Lake Merced contingent upon approval of the Department of Public Works and the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two departments.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-171: Motion to approve the relocation of the statue of King Carlos III to the picnic area of the Boathouse at Lake Merced contingent upon the approval of the Recreation and Park Department.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-172: Motion to approve the exhibition “Meatology” curated by Kara Maria, to be exhibited at the 401 Van Ness gallery in November 2004.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-173: Motion to approve the one-day exhibition and performance event “Element of Temporary” curated by ev Funes and James Bewley, to be held on August 20, 2004 at the 401 Van Ness gallery.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-174: Motion to approve the exhibition “In Passing” curated by Todd Herman, to be exhibited at the 401 Van Ness gallery in Spring 2005.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-175: Motion to increase Irene Pijoan’s contract by $12,725, for a total contract amount of $14,725, for final design development, construction documents for five artist-designed aluminum fence panels, and consulting services during fabrication and installation.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-176: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Arlan Huang for an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the fabrication, transportation and installation of fifteen glass panels with glass rondels and four 5' x 5' glass block and blown glass windows for Laguna Honda Hospital.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-177: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Jonathan Bonner for an amount not to exceed $55,000 for the fabrication, storage, transportation and installation of a granite sculpture for Laguna Honda Hospital.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-178: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Wang Po Shu for an amount not to exceed $55,000 for the fabrication, transportation and installation of a carved wood sculpture for Laguna Honda Hospital.
- Committee Reports
- Executive Committee—Blanche Brown, Chair
- Report from Chair of Executive Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Civic Design Review Committee—William Meyer, Chair
- Report from Chair of Civic Design Review Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program. Commissioner Meyer reported that comments on the color of the roof of the Palace of Fine Arts are being taken this week.
- Community Arts and Education Committee—Blanche Brown, Chair
- Report from Chair of Community Arts and Education Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program. Commisisoner Brown reported that there was no meeting of this committee.
- Street Artists Committee—Dugald Stermer, Chair
- Report from Chair of Street Artists Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program. Commissioner Stermer reported that there was no meeting of this committee.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-179: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Michael MacDonald, Klee Miller.
- Visual Arts Committee—Dugald Stermer, Chair
- Report from Chair of Visual Arts Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program. Commissioner Stermer reported that the committee held a very good meeting.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-180: Motion to approve honoraria payment of $1,500 to Todd Herman, curator of “In Passing.”
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-181: Motion to approve 155 Grove Street Windows exhibitions by Elaine Buckholtz, Kamau Amu Patton and Sarah Cain.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-182: Motion to approve honoraria payments of $400 each to Elaine Buckholtz, Kamau Amu Patton and Sarah Cain.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0802-04-183: Motion to allow the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company to temporarily wrap the “Vaillancourt” Fountain in Justin Herman Plaza with snow fencing for the purposes of their performance on October 20-23, 2004, having received consent of the artist, Armand Vaillancourt, provided that the wrapping must be removed by October 24, 2004.
In reference to the above motion, Commissioner Stermer asked what snow fencing is. Commissioner Meyer answered, as someone from Wisconsin, that it consists of wooden slats, approximately one inch wide by three or four feet tall, bound together with wire. Commissioner Przyblyski observed that Margaret Jenkins has been doing a series of wrapped pieces, and remarked that if Mr. Vaillancourt gave his consent to wrap the fountain, then she supposed it would be all right. The motion was approved with the amendment that the wrapping must be taken down by October 24, 2004.
- Nominating Committee
- Discussion about leadership qualities, characteristics and experience the Commission needs in its President and Vice President to advance the Mayor’s arts agenda.
Mr. Newirth began the discussion by referring to the recent staff meeting in which he raised the same question: What kind of leadership, not just one person, but what qualities do Commissioners want? In the discussion that followed, Commissioners listed: disperson of communication, so that the Commission is aware of events and issues as they unfold, not just through meeting notes and minutes; a unified vision of what public art might be in San Francisco, but not necessarily a single vision of art; a vision for the agency as a guiding force; a passionate interest in public art as one among many functions of the Arts Commission; delegation of responsibilities so that Commissioners can work on policy as well as projects of interest, leveraging all of the Commissioners’ strengths and interests; a passionate interest in the arts.
Commissioners agreed that they all have expertise and areas about which they are passionate, and that they should all be active advocates and spokespersons for the arts. Mr. Newirth observed that the discussion had a great deal of overlap with staff comments.
Commissioners said that some of the public sees money for art, including the two percent for art in public projects, as a waste when the needs of the City are so great, and that there is sometimes resentment of the Arts Commission as there is of the art; Commissioners would like to see leadership that can help to address and defuse that resentment among the public.
Part of the role of the Arts Commission is to bridge the perceived gap between “high” art like the Symphony, based in city-center cultural institutions, and more accessible art or craft forms in the community-based arts programs; to show that both are valuable to the whole city. There was some discussion of changes over the years in the influence of neighborhoods and communities in setting City policy.
Commissioners expressed a desire to raise the profile of the Arts Commission; to highlight the ways in which it influences the life and experience of San Francisco. This could be done with educational presentations like the one made by Civic Art Collection Director Debra Lehane to the Commission, or by leadership interested in moving the Commission meetings literally and figuratively “out of the basement” to a more visible and/or central location, like City Hall, or perhaps to the communities. It was pointed out that meeting in City Hall would facilitate interaction with Supervisors and the Mayor.
Commissioners discussed the difficulty of having projects come before the Civic Design Review Committee so late in the process that they are already significantly completed, so that Civic Design input can be perceived as obstructionist or delaying; it is important to have information earlier in the process from the various City departments so that Civic Design Review can be effective.
Commissioners said that the President should be a prominent figure, with the willingness, time, talent and energy to be outspoken and engaging in articulating and advocating the Arts Commission’s programs, and to do that continually. Mr. Newirth asked about more media interaction and outreach. Commissioners answered that this was something the Commission could do better, and that the Commission needs better strategies for dealing with controversial decisions.
Commissioners observed that the time commitment to the Commission can’t be underestimated, and that it can be a huge, draining weight for one person. Ideally, leadership should be shared with the Vice President and the heads of committees. Finally, Commissioners discussed how the Commission should work with the Mayor’s arts agenda.
- Discussion: Call for volunteers for joint committee to develop an agenda for a facilitated meeting of the Commission. Mr. Newirth reported that staff has been meeting on an ongoing basis with organizational development consultant Nancy Feinstein, and is near the end of that process. The Mayor’s proposal of the merger brought to the fore the question of what is the identity of the Arts Commission, with or without Grants for the Arts. Mr. Newirth posed several questions: How do we as staff and Commissioners make the Commission what we want it to be in the world? Staff and Commissioners have often used the word “access” in describing the mission of the Commission; what exactly does that mean? What is the role of the municipal arts agency besides the distribution of money? In staff discussions, the point was made that, unlike GFTA, the Arts Commission does not serve only nonprofit arts organizations, but serves all the citizens of San Francisco. How does the agency do that?
Mr. Newirth proposed a meeting of the Commission facilitated by Ms. Feinstein, and suggested that this need not wait for the election of new officers. He suggested that priorities will flow from the discussion about identity. He called for a couple of volunteers to plan the meeting. In response to a question about Ms. Feinstein, Mr. Newirth said that although she has a connection with Commissioner Mirikitani, she was not the source of this contact. In response to a question about the strategic plan developed several years ago, Mr. Newirth said that he was not talking about creating a full-blown strategic plan, but a vision of how the Arts Commission can move forward in the coming year. Commissioners Brown, Draisin, Meyer and Przyblyski expressed interest in this process; Commissioner Przyblyski thought it would be helpful to set some attainable short-range goals. Mr. Newirth had hoped to have the facilitated meeting in September, but suggested that it might need to be pushed back.
- Reports and Announcements
There were no other reports or announcements.
- Public Comment
There was no public comment on any item of this agenda unless so noted.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs
spr 8/16/04
