SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTS COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 27, 2017
1:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Ave, Suite 125

MINUTES

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:08 p.m.

 

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present:
   Charles Collins
   Sherene Melania, Chair
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Marcus Shelby
   
   Commissioners Absent:
   Janine Shiota
   
   Staff Present: Tom DeCaigny, Judy Nemzoff, Barbara Mumby, Robynn Takayama, Ebony McKinney, Liz Ozol, Cristal Fiel, Claudia Leung, Gisela Insuaste

 

2. General Public Comment
   Commissioner Melania called for public comment.
   
   Public Comment:
   Rene Yung, artist, thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to speak before them, and thanked the San Francisco Arts Commission for continued support over years of cultural equity grants. She said it was so significant to the community and to the city, especially during this time. She said she was very honored to be considered for the Individual Artist Commission (“IAC”) award, for a project called Written on Water, a sculptural library. She went on to describe the project she would be undertaking if recommended for funding.
   
   Ivan Jaigirdar, executive director of 3^rd i South Asian International Film Festival, commented that the film festival had grown over the years from a one-day festival to a six-day festival. The organization’s South Asian community included approximately 250,000 people throughout the Bay Area. Through the San Francisco Arts Commission’s cultural equity grants, the organization has been able to grow and thrive. One of his concerns was the fact that the arts were being defunded and that displacement was alarming. He stated that it would be vital to maintain funding for nonprofits and for artists.
   
   Dan Goldes, artist, thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to speak to them. His project was under consideration for IAC. He said he was about to hit his sixth anniversary of working on the film and having the support of the San Francisco Arts Commission was gratifying to him. The support of the Commission will move his nascent film career from completing short films to longer films. Individual staff had been tremendously helpful to him. He thanked the Commission for supporting individuals in this day and age.

 

3. 2016-2017 Grants Cycle Presentation
   Senior Program Officer Barbara Mumby gave an overview of the FY2016-2017 grants cycle recommendations and outcomes (see explanatory document “FY2016-2017 Grants Cycle Review and Recommendations”) which included an overview of the implementation of a new online grants management system ("GMS"), grant review panelists demographic information, demographic information about applicants and grantees, and statistics about the recommended grantees.  For implementation of the online GMS, staff engaged thirty previous grantees in beta testing. The beta-testers were able to identify some of the technical glitches or any lack of clarity in the grant applications or ability to navigate the system. Staff made sure to roll out deadlines for grant categories each week to give staff time to mitigate problems and make changes and the roll out went smoothly.
   
   Ms. Mumby stated that there was a huge amount of new panelists for this year. In response to feedback from 2014, the staff has had an open call for new panelists. The staff maintained that each panel had one or two anchor panelists, or individuals who had gone through the process before.
   
   Commissioner Ordeñana asked whether there were applicants between the ages of 18 and 24 in this pool. Ms. Mumby stated that because application guidelines stipulated that individuals could not apply while in school, staff did not see too many applicants in that age range.
   
   Commissioner Shelby asked what caused the special add-backs increase. Ms. Mumby said that there was probably more advocacy to the Board of Supervisors from the community.
   
   Commissioner Collins asked if panelists were aware of applicants’ demographic data. Ms. Mumby responded that panelists do not see information from the applicants’ demographic survey. Staff hoped that the introduction of the cultural equity question helped elevate the work of organizations primarily serving historically underserved communities. Ms. Mumby asserted that looking at the numbers it seemed to be working.
   
   Mr. DeCaigny added that panelists do know about applicants’ zip code and address. Staff cannot share racial or demographic data or data around LGBTQ identity of applicants with panelists.
   
   Commissioner Collins asked if the demographic information was in the scoring criteria. Ms. Mumby clarified that no demographic data or geographic data is in the scoring criteria.
   
   Ms. Mumby noted that there was downward trend in the number of applicants in the Arts for Neighborhood Vitality (“ANV”) grant. In response, staff may decide to increase the funding amount in future years to make it more worth applicants’ time and energy to apply.
   
   The Commissioners discussed the lower numbers of grant applicants and grant recommendations in the Latino and African American communities. Ms. Mumby stated that staff was aware of the numbers and had plans to evaluate the delivery mode of the technical assistance workshops. Additionally, the staff was planning to offer cohort learning that was similar to what the WritersCorps Teaching Artists in Residence grantees received as part of their grant.
   
   Commissioner Ordeñana stated his congratulations. He said he was curious to hear about outreach to non-college enrolled youth ages 18 to 24. He said this was an important group because there were huge vulnerabilities for transitional age youth. He asked what has been done and how this could be an opportunity for this population. Ms. Mumby agreed that there was more to be done and staff would work more on outreach in the coming grant cycle. Two years ago, staff worked on was re-envisioning the grant cycle process and rewriting grant applications. This past year, the staff focused on building out the GMS. For the future, staff would look into reaching out to and offering technical assistance workshops at community hubs such as the Cultural Centers. Commissioner Collins added that a number of organizations that were recommended for funding had a strong focus on transitional age youth.
   
   Community Investments Program Director Judy Nemzoff restated that staff spent much of last year building out GMS. In order to reach youth, staff articulated that the grant category Artists and Communities in Partnership (“ACIP”) targeted organizations serving youth. She commented that hopefully they were noticing an uptick in the number of organizations serving young people. She also mentioned that all recommended applications would receive the full eligible request amount. In previous years, in order to fund more applicants, sometimes only up to 75 percent of the grant request was funded. Now, staff believed that it was important to fully fund an applicant’s total ask, especially in light of the current economy.
   
   Commissioner Melania thanked staff for the presentation, and commented it showed the diversity and breadth of scope of staff’s work. She mentioned that the outreach component was definitely something staff needed to work on. In the past, she mentioned, they have worked with the Cultural Centers on this, and suggested that they need to go beyond that. A lot of artists and organizations who were already comfortable in the Cultural Centers received funding, but it was the lone artists who need to be reached. She added that there seemed to be a number of organizations recommended for multiple grant categories. In the past, they have discussed what maintaining equity really looks like. She suggested that this could be a policy discussion to have in the future. She said that staff and the Commission needed to reevaluate who was eligible to apply for multiple categories.
   
   Mr. DeCaigny suggested that when staff reviews guidelines for the summer release, the Committee could set aside policy time. He mentioned it would be a balancing act of parity between distribution and resources. He suggested that staff could look at trends and historical data to see where resources were being allocated.
   
   Commissioner Melania called for public comment. There was none made.
   
   Explanatory Document: FY2016-2017 Grants Cycle Review and Recommendations.pdf
    
4. 2016-2017 Arts for Neighborhood Vitality Grants
   Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
   Motion to approve recommendations to award seven grants totaling $21,000 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Arts for Neighborhood Vitality (“ANV”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
   Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center, $3,000 
   Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, $3,000 
   Chinese Historical Society of America, $3,000 
   Genryu Arts, $3,000 
   Salsa Festival on Fillmore (Fiscal Sponsor: West Bay Community Conference Center), $3,000 
   The Village Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Booker T. Washington Community Service Center), $3,000 
   Youth Art Exchange (Fiscal Sponsor: Tides Center), $3,000
   
   Moved: Collins
   Public Comment: None.
   The motion was unanimously approved.

 

5. 2016-2017 Artists & Communities in Partnership Grants
   Mr. DeCaigny noted that staff had tried to anticipate Commissioner conflicts of interest. For this grant category, there were two separate motions based on the knowledge of previous Commissioner conflicts.
   1. Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve recommendations to award sixteen grants totaling $319,688 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Artists & Communities in Partnership (“ACIP”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
      Acción Latina, $20,000 
      Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers (ABD Productions), $20,000 
      Asian American Women Artists Association, $20,000
      Bindlestiff Studio, $20,000
      Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, $20,000
      Brava Theater Center/Brava! For Women in the Arts, $20,000
      CounterPulse, $20,000 
      Dance Brigade, $20,000 
      Instituto Familiar de la Raza, $20,000 
      Kulintang Arts Inc., $20,000 
      Loco Bloco Drum and Dance Ensemble, $20,000 
      Mission Graduates, $20,000 
      Mission Neighborhood Resource Center (Fiscal Sponsor: Mission Neighborhood Health Center), $20,000 
      Performing Arts Workshop, $19,688 
      Root Division, $20,000 
      Youth Art Exchange (Fiscal Sponsor: Tides Center), $20,000
      
      Moved: Collins/ Ordeñana
      Public Comment:
      Tomás Riley, executive director of CounterPulse, commented that CounterPulse was a movement of risk-taking art. Through this proposal, support from the Arts Commission would allow them to continue to grow community work in the Tenderloin and single room occupancy hotels. The project would help cultivate CounterPulse’s reputation of an authentic community organization committed to long-term residency.
      
      Oliver Saria, managing director of Bindlestiff Studio, commented that the organization was the only theater of its kind in the nation dedicated to showcasing Filipino and Filipino American performing arts. Bindlestiff Studio was also the oldest continuously programming black box theater in the South of Market neighborhood (“SOMA”). Bindlestiff Studio was displaced by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in 2003 and the community fought for the theater to get a new space. He said that for the organization, community engagement was part of its survival, and the organization was determined to give back to the community. The proposed project would allow the organization to provide services to the needy and elderly in the SOMA with theater exercises that engage them cognitively and physically. The project was emblematic of Bindlestiff Studio’s mission statement to engage with community.
      
      The motion was unanimously approved.
       
   2. Commissioner Ordeñana recused himself because his employer, San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center, had a financial relationship with the organization.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve the recommendation to award a grant to Fresh Meat Productions in the 2016-2017 cycle of Artists & Communities in Partnership (“ACIP”), and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
      
      Moved: Shelby/Collins
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Ordeñana returned to the room.
       
   3. Commissioner Shelby recused himself because he has a financial relationship with the organization.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve the recommendation to award a grant to Asian Improv aRts in the 2016-2017 cycle of Artists & Communities in Partnership (“ACIP”), and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
      Moved: Collins/Ordeñana
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Shelby returned to the room.
       

6. 2016-2017 Cultural Equity Initiatives Grants
   Mr. DeCaigny said that Croatian American Cultural Center, who was formerly listed as a recommended applicant in the posted agenda, declined their recommendation. Additionally, the motions were separated in anticipation of Commissioners’ conflicts.
    
   1. Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve recommendations to award eleven grants totaling $776,962 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Cultural Equity Initiatives (“CEI”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
      3rd i South Asian Films, $81,220
      Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center, $47,000
      Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT), $100,000
      Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, $100,000
      CounterPulse, $97,336
      Crowded Fire Theater Company, $90,000
      Dance Brigade, $100,000
      Embodiment Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $31,000
      Mixed Bag Productions, $28,906
      Navarrete x Kajiyama Dance Theater (NAKA Dance Theater) (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers' Group), $32,700
      Radar Productions, $68,800
      
      Moved: Ordeñana/Collins
      Public Comment:
      Juliana Delagdo Lopera, executive director of RADAR Productions, commented that the organization does LGBTQ literary programming in San Francisco. For the past year and half the organization has been going through a director transformation. The organization also transitioned to focus on queer people of color. Lopera said this grant would help the organization solidify their strategic plan for the next five years, and would allow the organization to hire a consultant to help with strategic plan.
      
      Mina Morita, executive director of Crowded Fire said that she was deeply grateful for funding opportunity that influenced the maturation and sustainability of the organization, and allowed the organization to elevate two leadership positions to full time status. She said the grant acknowledged value of work and helped them to serve as artistic incubator and champion of voices. The existence of this support signified that San Francisco had the intentionality to shape its own culture, one that embraces a plurality of perspectives, inclusivity and equity.
      
      Mr. Jaigirdar from 3^rd i South Asian International Film Festival added to his previous comment that the organization does monthly screenings and has expanded to the South Bay.
      
      The motion was unanimously approved. 
       
   2. Commissioner Ordeñana recused himself because his employer has a financial relationship with the organizations listed.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion: Motion to approve recommendations to award three grants totaling $148,806 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Cultural Equity Initiatives (“CEI”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
      Chrysalis Studio (Fiscal Sponsor: Queer Cultural Center), $21,041
      Queer Cultural Center, $100,000
      San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (Fiscal Sponsor: Fresh Meat Productions), $27,765
      Moved: Collins/Shelby
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was passed unanimously.
      
      Commissioner Ordeñana returned to the room.
       
   3. Commissioner Collins recused himself because his employer has a financial relationship with the organization listed.  
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve the recommendation to award a grant to Mural Music and Arts Project in the 2016-2017 cycle of Cultural Equity Initiatives (“CEI”), and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
      Moved: Shelby/Ordeñana
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Collins returned to the room.
       
7. 2016-2017 Creative Space Grants
   Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
   Motion to approve recommendations to award nine grants totaling $545,782 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Creative Space (“CRSP”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
   Blue Bear School of Music, $50,000
   Cartoon Art Museum, $90,000
   Dance Brigade, $50,000
   Galeria de la Raza, $50,000
   ODC Theater, $20,000
   Public Glass, $100,000
   SAFEhouse for the Performing Arts, $100,000
   San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society, Inc., $35,782
   San Francisco Mime Troupe, $50,000
   
   Moved: Collins/Ordeñana
   Public Comment:
   Joe Landini of SAFEhouse for the Arts said that their organization was facing displacement, but with the support of this grant, they would be able to secure a new lease for 15 years at 145 Eddy. He said he would like to especially thank the staff of Arts Commission, and that it would not have been possible to go through this grant without their support. All have been amazing mentors and supportive.
   
   The motion was unanimously approved.
    
8. 2016-2017 Individual Artist Commissions Grants
   Mr. DeCaigny said that some corrections were made from the posted agenda to included legal names of individual artists.
   
   Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
   Motion: Motion to approve recommendations to award 45 grants totaling $675,000 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Individual Artist Commissions (“IAC”) to the following individuals, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual for amounts not to exceed the following:
   Anita W. Chang, $15,000
   Anthony Robles (Fiscal Sponsor: Manilatown Heritage Foundation), $15,000
   Aron Kantor, $15,000
   Bernard Lubell (DBA: Bernie Lubell), $15,000
   Bonnie Sherk, $15,000
   Carol S. Seigel (DBA: Shizue Seigel), $15,000
   Celeste Chan, $15,000
   Chirag Bhakta (DBA: Chiraag Bhakta), $15,000
   Christopher Burch, $15,000
   Clement Goldberg (Fiscal Sponsor: CounterPulse), $15,000
   Craig Calderwood, $15,000
   Dan Goldes (Fiscal Sponsor: San Francisco Film Society), $15,000
   Dana Hemenway, $15,000
   Evelyn Leder (DBA: Evie Leder), $15,000
   Ilana Crispi, $15,000
   Jack Walsh, $15,000
   Jacqueline Francis, $15,000
   Jay Rosenblatt, $15,000
   Jenifer Wofford (DBA: Jenifer K. Wofford), $15,000
   Jerome Reyes, $15,000
   John Jota Leaños, $15,000
   Josephine Iselin, $15,000
   Juliana Delgado Lopera, $15,000
   Justin Hoover, $15,000
   Kevin Simmonds, $15,000
   Lisa E. Wanzer, $15,000
   Lynn Hershman Leeson, $15,000
   Madeleine Lim (Fiscal Sponsor: Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project), $15,000
   Mary Elizabeth Yarbrough, $15,000
   Monica Magtoto, $15,000
   Ploy Pirapokin, $15,000
   Rene Yung, $15,000
   Ronald Saunders (DBA: Ronald Moultrie Saunders), $15,000
   Rudy Lemcke, $15,000
   Sandra Davis, $15,000
   Sarah Jimenez, $15,000
   Shani Heckman (Fiscal Sponsor: ShaneStar Productions), $15,000
   Storm Miguel Florez, $15,000
   Tina Takemoto, $15,000
   Truong Tran, $15,000
   Valerie Soe, $15,000
   Veronica Majano, $15,000
   Viviana Paredes (Fiscal Sponsor: Paredesarte), $15,000
   Wendy Baker, $15,000
   Yarrow Slaps, $15,000
   
   Moved: Shelby/Ordeñana
   Public Comment:
   Dan Goldes, artist, said thank you to the Arts Commission for their work supporting individuals. He also said he was grateful for the GMS. From his perspective, it was mostly smooth sailing and he appreciated all the technical assistance in advance.
   
   Juliana Delgado Lopera, speaking as an individual artist, stated that it was interesting to go through the process of applying for a grant as an organization and then as an artist. Lopera’s project documented queerness, migration, loneliness, womanhood, etc. Lopera said it was great to have the money, time, and space to write.
   
   Monica Magtoto, artist, thanked the Commissioners, Ebony, and other staff. She quit her full time job in 2013, started applying to fellowships, grants, etc., and received none. This was her first award. She said it is difficult to find a home base; when you are talking about equity, you are talking about bringing access and resources to diverse populations. She appreciated the move to make the language and application process more accessible.
   
   Ebony McKinney, program officer for the San Francisco Arts Commission (on behalf of artist Chris Burch) said that the artist was African American and this was one of the first grants he had ever received. His project would combine graphic novels, illustrations, storytelling, and African American history. He was one of the artists that represented Black communities. He was connected to the African American Art and Culture Complex, and this grant represented a new stage in his career.
   
   The motion was unanimously approved.
    
9. 2016-2017 Organization Project Grants
   Mr. DeCaigny said that the motions were edited to correct some organizations’ names. Additionally, the motions were separated in anticipation of Commissioners’ conflicts.
    
   1. Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve recommendations to award 43 grants totaling $814,042 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Organization Project Grants (“OPG”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
      Acción Latina, $20,000
      African American Shakespeare Company, $20,000
      AfroSolo Theatre Company (Fiscal Sponsor: Cultural Odyssey), $20,000
      Alliance for California Traditional Arts, $20,000
      Bindlestiff Studio, $20,000
      Brava Theater Center/Brava! For Women in the Arts, $20,000
      Campo Santo (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $20,000
      Center for the Art of Translation, $20,000
      Chinese Cultural Productions, $20,000
      Circo Zero / Zero Performances, $20,000
      Circuit Network, $20,000
      Crowded Fire Theatre Company, $20,000
      CubaCaribe, $20,000
      Cutting Ball Theatre Company, $20,000
      Dancers’ Group, $20,000
      Detour Dance (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers’ Group), $8,400
      Eldergivers, $20,000
      Embodiment Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $20,000
      Epiphany Productions, $20,000
      Erika Chong Shuch Performance Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $20,000
      EXIT Theater, $20,000
      Festival of Latin American Contemporary Choreography (Fiscal Sponsor: Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts), $7,952
      First Voice, $20,000
      Flyaway Productions, $20,000
      Funsch Dance (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers’ Group), $7,650
      Genryu Arts, $20,000
      Golden Thread Productions, $20,000
      Kearny Street Workshop, $20,000
      LIKHA Pilipino Folk Ensemble, $18,040
      Mixed Bag Productions, $20,000
      National Japanese American Historical Society, $20,000
      OngDance Company (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers’ Group), $20,000
      Push Dance Company, $20,000
      Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP), $20,000
      Robert Moses’ Kin, $20,000
      SAFEhouse for the Performing Arts, $20,000
      San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers’ Group), $20,000
      San Francisco Youth Theatre, $20,000
      Scott Wells and Dancers (Fiscal Sponsor: CounterPulse), $20,000
      Theatre Rhinoceros, $20,000
      Urban Jazz Dance Company (Fiscal Sponsor: East Bay Center for the Performing Arts), $12,000
      Women’s Audio Mission, $20,000
      World Arts West, $20,000
      
      Moved: Ordeñana/Collins
      
      Public Comment:
      Rachel Lozada from Kearny Street Workshop thanked the Commissioners and staff. The organization would be celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, which made it the oldest pan-Asian Pacific Islander American community arts organization in the nation. They also may have been one of the earliest displaced community arts groups, she said, having been evicted from the International Hotel 40 years ago. She thanked the Commission for the CEI grant they received a year ago, and how much the grant has built their sustainability. The organization was able to upgrade both staff positions to the director level, increase their salaries, and for the first time provide health benefits. The OPG grant would enable the organization to sustain a program that artistic director had been implementing this year.
      
      Mr. Saria from Bindlestiff Studio returned to express his gratitude for funding the Tagalog Fest. The project would be one of the rare opportunities for Tagalog speakers to enjoy theater. The organization would not be able to do this without continued support of the Arts Commission and SOMA Pilipinas. Bindlestiff Studio kept ticket prices intentionally low so that the working-class community could attend. All the support that the organization received from the Arts Commission and from public funding was essential for Bindlestiff Studio. He said he was grateful for funding for this project and for all the funding the organization has received.
      
      The motion was unanimously approved.
       
   2. Commissioner Collins recused himself because his employer has a financial relationship with the organization listed.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve the recommendation to award a grant to Mural Music & Arts Project in the 2016-2017 cycle of Organization Project Grants (“OPG”), and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
      Moved: Ordeñana/Shelby
      
      Public Comment:
      Catherine Mitchell from the Mural Music & Arts Project commented that she felt she had tremendous help from the staff through the technical assistance workshops. She had fond memories from her first day on the job, when she was working to apply to the Arts Commission grant. She said the organization was very grateful for the support.
      
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Collins returned to the room.
       
   3. Commissioner Shelby recused himself because he has a financial relationship with the organization.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve the recommendation to award a grant to Asian Improv aRts in the 2016-2017 cycle of Organization Project Grants (“OPG”), and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
      
      Moved: Collins/Ordeñana
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Shelby returned to the room.
       
   4. Commissioner Ordeñana recused himself because his employer has a financial relationship with the organizations listed.
      
      Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
      Motion to approve recommendations to award three grants totaling $55,067 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Organization Project Grants (“OPG”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
      Fresh Meat Productions, $20,000
      Queer Cultural Center, $20,000
      Topsy Turvy (Fiscal Sponsor: Queer Cultural Center), $15,067
      Moved: Collins/Shelby
      Public Comment: None.
      The motion was unanimously approved.
      
      Commissioner Ordeñana returned to the room.
       
10. 2016-2017 Native American Arts & Cultural Traditions Grants
    Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
    Motion to approve recommendations to award four grants totaling $110,000 in the 2016-2017 cycle of Native American Arts & Cultural Traditions (“NAACT”) to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed the following:
    Cultural Conservancy, $20,000
    Dancing Earth Creations (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $20,000
    Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, $20,000
    American Indian Community Cultural Center for the Arts SF (Fiscal Sponsor: The University Corporation, San Francisco State), $50,000
    
    Moved: Collins/Ordeñana
    Public Comment: None.
    The motion was unanimously approved.
     
11. 2016-2017 WritersCorps Teaching Artist in Residence Grants
    Mr. DeCaigny said that the motion had been copy edited for more clarity since the agenda was posted.
     
    1. Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
       Motion to approve the recommendation for annual grants up to the amounts listed, for up to three fiscal years (2017-2020) to the following teaching artists, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into WritersCorps Teaching-Artist-in-Residence grant agreements with each, pending availability of funds:
       Anne Rovzar (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) in partnership with Hilltop School for Pregnant Minors, $50,000 annually
       Ingrid Rojas Contreras (Fiscal Sponsor: Root Division) in partnership with San Francisco International High School, $50,000 annually
       Moved: Collins/Shelby
       Public comment: None.
       The motion was unanimously approved.
        
    2. Commissioner Ordeñana recuse himself from a recommendation because of his financial relationship with Queer Cultural Center, who was fiscal sponsor to Chrysalis Studio.
       
       Commissioner Melania gave the following motion:
       Motion to approve the recommendation for an annual grant up to $50,000 annually, for up to three fiscal years (2017-2020), to Celeste Chan (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) in partnership with Chrysalis Studio’s Queer Ancestors Project, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a WritersCorps Teaching-Artist-in-Residence grant agreement, pending availability of funds.
       Moved: Collins/Shelby
       Public Comment: None.
       The motion was unanimously approved.
       
       Commissioner Ordeñana returned to the room.
        
12. New Business and Announcements
    Commissioner Collins praised the SFAC staff’s work, and all the work that went into the grant process, starting with the strategic plan, leading to policies, and seeing how the staff rendered the grant process in such a way that grantees were so forceful in advocacy. He said he looked forward to how much this was going to excite the Commission at the meeting. He said it would be nice if a few artists and organizations could be present at the Full Commission meeting.
    
    Mr. DeCaigny echoed that all of the hard work of the staff was incredible.
    
    Commissioner Melania stated that this was one of her most proud moments of being on the Commission. In past years, the agency the grant process had been through many transitions, and this year was by far the smoothest the process had gone.
     
13. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:47 p.m.
    
     

Posted 5/9/17, 5:30 p.m. CF

6/5/17 minutes adopted

Language Accessibility

 

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

 

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

 

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

 

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.