MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, February 27, 2017
12:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

President Beltran called the meeting to order at 12:37 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present 
   JD Beltran, President
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Charles Collins
   Abby Sadin Schnair
    
   Commissioners Absent 
   Simon Frankel
    
2. General Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Director’s Report
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that he and Deputy Director Rebekah Krell had submitted the Arts Commission’s proposed budget to the Mayor’s office, which is working toward the submission of a balanced Citywide budget to the Board of Supervisors on June 1. Mr. DeCaigny thanked Ms. Krell and Finance Manager Kevin Quan for their work on the budget.
    
   In response to a question, Mr. DeCaigny reported that an offer has been made to the top candidate for the Capital Manager position, and he hoped to be able to announce the hiring at the March 6 meeting of the full Arts Commission.
    
   He reported on the ongoing review of the Statement of Incompatible Activities (“SIA”), which addresses conflicts of interest, in consultation with Deputy City Attorney Andrew Shen and President Beltran; the draft has been submitted to the Ethics Commission for their review. The document will come to this Committee and then to the full Arts Commission. Mr. DeCaigny explained that because the document governs both Commissioners and staff, all the unions representing Arts Commission staff will have 30 days to submit any comments. The final version will need the approval of all these parties. He added that he will invite Mr. Shen to discuss the SIA with this Committee. Noting his recent experience with revising the code of conduct for the Museum of Modern Art, with the expert assistance of Adine Varah, Commissioner Collins suggested resources such as the American Alliance of Museums as a benchmark. Commissioners offered their help.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that the bylaws are also being reviewed, with the help of Deputy City Attorney Lauren Curry and Commissioner Frankel. Mr. DeCaigny hoped to bring them to this Committee in March, and he noted that there would be some alignment with the SIA required.
    
   Finally, he reminded the Committee that San Francisco is a member of the World Cities Culture Forum. He reported that he has been discussing with partners at SF Travel a possible proposal to host the Forum in San Francisco in November, 2018, and he asked for the Committee’s thoughts. The Committee discussed the idea at some length, and strongly encouraged Mr. DeCaigny to pursue it. They pointed out that the timing would be opportune, with the benefit of lessons learned from hosting Americans for the Arts in June, 2017. Mr. DeCaigny added that the Americans for the Arts conference will have 1,000 to 1,200 participants, while the World Cities Culture Forum will have perhaps 70 or 80.
    
   President Beltran also mentioned the upcoming invitational international culture summit in Abu Dhabi being organized by David Rothkopf and Carla Canales.
    
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Temporary Community-Based Art Programming by Hayes Valley Art Works in Parcel U
   Mr. DeCaigny explained that this item came before this Committee instead of the Visual Arts Committee because of the project’s schedule requirements. Director of Special Projects Jill Manton discussed the positive ongoing relationship between the Arts Commission and the Hayes Valley community, beginning with the installation of the first David Best Temple in 2005. She mentioned some of the temporary art projects that have been installed over the years, and praised the community for its avid interest in and support of local temporary art programming. She explained that last year, the Commission approved a community-funded temporary art project at Parcel O, and today she was presenting a program of temporary projects for Parcels U, R and S along the Octavia Boulevard corridor. She showed images of the artworks, and noted that the works were very inexpensive; many are light projections, and some of the artists are local. The Committee discussed the motion, and clarified that they were being asked for blanket approval for temporary projects during 2017.
    
   Public Comment:
    
   Gail Baugh of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association thanked the Commission for its support, and praised those who had come before her. She observed that the temporary nature of these projects allows people to relax: even if they don't like the artwork, it will be gone soon. She said that the community wanted to create a destination neighborhood, and art is an important part of that, and she added that they have learned a great deal.
    
   Earl, also of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, thought Ms. Baugh had said everything very well, and he thanked the Commission for what it has done.
    
    
   There was no further public comment. President Beltran modified the motion to include all of the parcels and to specify the time period. The motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to authorize blanket approval of a series of community-based temporary art projects to take place within Parcels U, R and S during 2017, pending approval from the Department of Real Estate.
    
5. New Business and Announcements
   The Committee requested an update at a future meeting on the status of the Commission’s strategic plan, and requested that Mr. DeCaigny calendar a discussion of how to move forward as the Commission reaches the end of its five-year plan.
    
   There was no further new business or announcements, and no public comment.
    
6. Adjournment 
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m.
    

posted 3/13/17 4:30 p.m. spr
approved 4/3/17


 

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Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@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，Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.