Arts Commission 2009 Gender Analysis Update

Arts Commission

2009 Gender Analysis Update

 

On July 29, 2009, Executive Director Luis Cancel presented an update about the Arts Commission to the Commission on the Status of Women. The following report is drawn from the meeting minutes.

                          

Executive Director Luis Cancel, joined by Jill Manton, Director of Programs, provided an update on the implementation of the gender analysis at the Arts Commission.

 

Before beginning his remarks, Director Cancel highlighted one of San Francisco's newest public art installations, the Language of the Birds, by Dorka Keehn and Brian Goggin. He noted that, at a recent national conference, the installation was recognized as one of the most exciting new pieces of public art in the nation. Commissioner Keehn stated that the project was made possible through a groundbreaking public-partner partnership which she learned to navigate as part of her involvement in the Justice & Courage Domestic Violence Response Cross-Training Institute.

 

Director Cancel reviewed the Art Commission organization chart and walked through a gender analysis of the Commission's workforce.  Of the 34 staff, 85% are women, 15% are men; 53% are white, 37% non-white.  He then provided an overview of the public art contracts. Commissioner Carolene Marks asked about the data from FY08-09 when the percentage of contracts awarded to women was lower than the previous and subsequent years. In response, Director of Programs Jill Manton explained the process for awarding public art contracts. The Commission makes every effort to ensure that the selection panels reflect the diversity of San Francisco, but ultimate determinations are based on the style of art and appropriateness for the available space.

 

Director Cancel moved on to other programs. He reported that, of the teachers for the Writers Corp, 6 out of 7 were minority and 5 were women. In terms of the youth participants, 95% were minority, 56% were girls.

 

Commissioner Julie Soo asked about the number of minority contracts that were awarded to minority women. Director Cancel explained that the Commission does not have readily available data on minority women.

 

On work-life balance policies, Director Cancel stated that while he does not have issues with this because he staff is allowed to have flexible schedules. 

 

Director Murase asked whether street artists who could not make it to the morning lottery for street vendor licenses were allowed to send a proxy in their place. Dr. Murase explained that as part of the gender analysis, the Art Commission a held focus group and found that women artists had childcare issues and could not attend the morning lotteries in person.  Mr. Cancel stated that he did not have that information but could provide an update to the Commission.  Director Cancel announced that the Commission will introduce a new on-line registration process in the next 6 months.  Artist will be able to renew their licenses online.