|
I.
|
Calling of the Meeting to Order -
Diane B. Wilsey, President
|
| |
|
| |
A meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was
held on Thursday, December 13, 2001, in
the 6th Floor Conference Room
of the Administrative Offices at 233 Post Street,
San Francisco. A quorum being present, the
meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Diane B. Wilsey, President.
President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.
|
| |
|
|
II.
|
Calling of the Roll
|
| |
|
| |
Present:
Alvin H. Baum, Jr.
Belva Davis, Vice President/Civic Affairs
and Audience Development
Richard P. Essey
George Hecksher
Diane B. Lloyd-Butler, Vice President/Marketing
and Communications
Nion McEvoy
J. Alec Merriam
Marianne H. Peterson
Shelagh Rohlen, Vice President/Annual
Support
Diane B. Wilsey
Excused:
J. Burgess Jamieson
Robert P. Morrow III, Vice President/Finance
Lonna Wais
Other Trustees in Attendance:
Nan Cook
Marion Moore Cope
Richard W. Goss II
Steven MacGregor Read
William A. Stimson
Paul Violich
Nancy Willis, Chair, Education
Committee
|
| |
|
|
III.
|
Report of the President - Diane B. Wilsey
|
| |
|
| |
A. Consideration and Possible Action
to Approve the Minutes of the October 18, 2001 Meeting of the Board of
Trustees
|
| |
|
| |
There being no discussion among the Trustees
or members of the public, the minutes of the October 18, 2001 meeting
of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees,
were unanimously approved.
|
| |
B. Consideration and Possible Action
to Approve the November 30, 2001 Report of the Acquisitions Committee
of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation Including the Acceptance of Works
of Art Acquired through Purchase and Donation as Gifts from The Fine Arts
Museums Foundation; Two Resolutions Clarifying the Use of the Achenbach
Endowment Fund; A Resolution to Transfer Twenty-six Plaster Casts Primarily
from the Parthenon Frieze and Reproductions of Greek Free-standing Sculpture
to the University of California at
Berkeley; and the Works of Art Recommended for First Step Deaccessioning
- J. Alec Merriam, Chair
and Vice President
Before beginning his report, Chair Merriam
encouraged all to attend the Gala Preview Opening of the San Francisco
Tribal Arts Show on Thursday, February 7, 2002, from 6 to 10 p.m., at
the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The preview, chaired
by Mr. and Mrs. J. Alec Merriam with Mrs. Paul L Wattis as Honorary
Chairman, will benefit the Africa, Oceania and the Americas and the
Textiles galleries in the New de Young Museum.
1. Purchases - Acceptance of Gifts of
Works of Art from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation
Chair Merriam reported that the Acquisitions
Committee at its meeting on November 30, 2001 recommended the purchase
of seventeen works of art including:
a) Turkana Woman. a major work by
William Morris; b) Nacht I (Die Nacht I) by Albert Bloch; c) Switchin’
in the Kitchen by Mildred Howard; d) "Found" Project,
Month of July by Nigel Poor; e) Mary Queen of Scots by Albert-Ernest
Carrier-Belleuse;
f) Snow Effect, Damvillers by Jules
Bastien-Lepage; g) five works for the Prints and Drawings Department;
and h) three ceremonial robes by the Ainu people, Hokkaido, Japan. Chair
Merriam noted that the Museums were unsuccessful in bidding at auction
on December 7, 2001 to acquire Item 5, "Jazz" Punch Bowl
by Viktor Shreckengost. A motion was made and seconded to approve
and accept the purchases listed as Items 1 through 17 (excluding Item
5) on pages 3097 and 3098 of Appendix I of these minutes as gifts to the
Museums offered by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation. There was no discussion
among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee
voted unanimously to approve and accept these purchases. A Trustee was
recognized for generously funding a 90% partial interest in one of these
purchases.
2. Gifts Offered to the Museums
Chair Merriam particularly noted several
gifts: a) fifty-seven Philippine objects; b) Untitled by Michael
Edward Cohen and Molly Stone; c) The Funnel by Norie Sato; d)
a second 50% interest in Rites of Spring by Roy De Forest; e)
sixty-four prints by various artists; and f) sixteen rugs and one headdress,
among the earliest and most outstanding examples of their type. Two
Trustees were acknowledged for their generosity in donating several
of these gifts to the Museums.
A motion was made and seconded to approve
and accept the gifts offered to the Museums. There was no discussion
among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees
voted unanimously to approve and accept with sincere thanks to all donors
the gifts listed on pages 3098 through 4004 of Appendix I of these minutes.
3. Two Resolutions Clarifying the Use
of the Achenbach Endowment Fund
The Acquisitions Committee recommended
the adoption of two resolutions clarifying the use of the Achenbach
Endowment Fund. A motion was made and seconded to approve the two resolutions.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony.
The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the two resolutions
on page 4005 of Appendix I of these minutes.
4. Resolution to Transfer Twenty-six Plaster
Casts Primarily from the Parthenon Frieze and Reproductions of Greek
Free-standing Sculpture to the University of California at Berkeley
Chair Merriam advised that twenty-six
plaster casts primarily from the Parthenon Frieze and reproductions
of Greek free-standing sculpture entered the permanent collection of
the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco mainly due to their educational
value soon after the founding of the M. H. de Young Museum in 1895.
Because of their poor condition and the Museums’ policy to not display
reproductions, they have not been on view at either the de Young Museum
or the Legion of Honor for decades. Upon the recommendation of the Curator
of Ancient Art and the Acquisitions Committee, the Board of Trustees
of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco approved the deaccessioning
of the twenty-six plaster casts at its meeting on June 14, 2001.
Chapter 28 of the San Francisco Administrative
Code pertains to the transfer of works of art and states that "Where
it is found to be in the public interest to transfer any object which
is of historical or other interest to San Francisco, the object will
first be offered to a San Francisco public or nonprofit institution.
Three non-profit, educational institutions were notified that the twenty-six
plaster casts were available. All three,
San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco
State University, and California College of Arts and Crafts, declined
their acquisition.
The University of California at Berkeley
(University), however, expressed serious interest in acquiring the plaster
casts and is willing to assume responsibility for the costs of transport,
conservation, reconstruction and storage of the twenty-six plaster casts
befitting museum standards.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt
the resolution on pages 4006 and 4007 of Appendix I of these minutes
approving the transfer of the twenty-six plaster casts to the University
and further authorizing the Director of Museums to execute a transfer
agreement governing the transfer of the twenty-six plaster casts to
the University. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no
public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the
resolution on pages 4006 and 4007 of Appendix I of these minutes.
5. Deaccessioning
A motion to approve first step deaccessioning
was made and seconded for the two works of Oriental art listed on page
4008 of Appendix I of these minutes. There was no discussion among Trustees.
There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously
to approve first step deaccessioning for the works of art listed on
page 4008 of Appendix I of these minutes.
6. Purchases Reported for the Record
These objects are listed on page 4009
of Appendix I of these minutes.
Chair Merriam then presented the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of
the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco does hereby approve the November
30, 2001 Report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums
Foundation including accepting the works of art acquired through purchase
and donation as gifts from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; two resolutions
clarifying the use of the Achenbach Endowment Fund; a resolution to transfer
twenty-six plaster casts primarily from the Parthenon Frieze and reproductions
of Greek free-standing sculpture to the University of California at Berkeley;
and the works of art recommended for first step deaccessioning.
|
| |
C. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing
the Director of Museums to Accept Year End Gifts of Art
The following resolution was introduced
by Chair Merriam:
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of
the Fine Arts Museums
San Francisco, upon the recommendation of
the Chair of the Acquisitions Committee, does hereby authorize the Director
of Museums (or his designee) to accept gifts of art offered to The Fine
Arts Museums Foundation and the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco from November 30, 2001 (last
Acquisitions Committee meeting) through December 31, 2001, if in his (or
his designee’s) judgment, he deems it acceptable after consultation with
first the appropriate staff curator, or the Acquisitions Committee Chair,
or Board President, if available, before the time by which he or his designee
has to accept the offer of the gift; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Director of
Museums shall report to
the Boards of Trustees of The Fine Arts
Museums Foundation and the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco at their next meetings,
the gifts of art accepted during this period.
|
| |
D. Consideration and Possible Action
to Change the Date of the January 2002 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
from January 10, 2002 to January 31, 2002
President Wilsey reported that the public
hearing before the Board of Supervisors regarding the revisions to the
Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed de Young Museum has
been set for January 14, 2002, following the Board of Trustees meeting
scheduled for January 10, 2002. It is expected that the Board of Trustees
will be required to vote on the revisions to the FEIR. Therefore, in
order to accommodate the City review and approval process for the revisions
to the FEIR, it is proposed that the date of the January 10, 2002 meeting
of the Board of Trustees be changed to Thursday, January 31, 2002. President
Wilsey presented the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That in order to accommodate
the City review and approval process for the revisions to the Final
Environmental Impact Report of the Proposed
de Young Museum Project, the Executive Committee
of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does
hereby change the date of the January 2002 meeting of the Board of Trustees
from January 10, 2002 to January 31, 2002, with the time and location
remaining the same, namely 3:00 p.m., in the Board Room of the California
Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, San Francisco.
|
| |
E. Report on the December 6, 2001 Public
Hearing Before the San Francisco
Planning Commission Regarding the Revisions
to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed de Young Museum
Project Pertaining to the Height of the Education Tower and to Some
Aspects of the Analysis of the Impact on Historic Resources
At the August 20, 2001 appeal hearing,
the Board of Supervisors remanded the FEIR for the New de Young Museum
Project to the Planning Department to make corrections to the sections
pertaining to the height of the Tower and some aspects of the analysis
of the impacts on historic resources. The revised Final Environmental
Impact Report (FEIR) was completed by the City’s Planning Department
and made available to the public at the end of November 2001. This
report, Revisions to Final Environmental Impact Report for the New
de Young Museum, San Francisco Planning Department, 1999-455E, was
distributed to the Executive Committee in advance of the meeting.
It addresses both the change in the height and design of the tower
and certain aspects of the analysis on historic resources. The report
prepared for the Planning Department by Page & Turnbull, Inc.,
An Evaluation of the Potential Effect of the Proposed New de Young
Museum on the Proposed Golden Gate Park Historic District, was also
circulated to the Executive Committee prior to the meeting and provides
additional information on the historic resources in the Park.
President Wilsey reported on the December
6, 2001 public hearing before the San Francisco Planning Commission
regarding the revisions to the FEIR. Following testimony from speakers
for and against the certification of the revised FEIR, the Planning
Commission voted unanimously to certify the document. As stated above,
the public hearing before the Board of Supervisors regarding the revised
FEIR is scheduled for January 14, 2002.
Events celebrating the groundbreaking
for the New de Young Museum on
May 16-19, 2002 are being planned.
|
| |
F. Report on Recent Developments Regarding
the Plans to Build a
New de Young Museum in Golden Gate
Park
Mr. Parker commented on developments
to close a section of Golden Gate Park to motor vehicle traffic on
Saturdays. The closure of John F. Kennedy Drive on Saturdays between
Kezar Drive and 8th Avenue has been proposed. Eighth Avenue
through the Concourse, however, would remain open permitting vehicle
access to the de Young Museum. A public hearing before the Board of
Supervisors’ Housing, Transportation and Land Use Committee was postponed
to allow for more time to solicit community input.
Mr. Parker recalled the resolution adopted
by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Corporation
of The Fine Arts Museums on September 7, 2000, which supported Saturday
closure of John F. Kennedy Drive after an integrated overview of transportation
and circulation has been completed by the Concourse Authority and
a Concourse underground parking facility has been built and is in
operation.
|
| |
|
|
IV.
|
Director’s Report - Harry S. Parker
III
|
| |
A. Resolution Designating the Bequest
from the Samuel Untermyer Charitable Remainder Unitrust to the New de
Young Museum Fund of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation
Mr. Parker advised that an initial distribution
of $52,168.35 was received from the Samuel Untermyer Charitable Remainder
Unitrust. He introduced the following resolution designating the initial
and future distributions from the this Unitrust to the New de Young
Fund of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation.
WHEREAS, The building of a New de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park is the highest institutional priority for
the Board of Trustees of the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums; and
WHEREAS, On July 13, 2001, Moti B. Virani,
Premier Trust and
Investment Services of Union Bank of California,
informed the Museums that Samuel Untermyer had named the de Young Museum
as a beneficiary to receive ten percent of his Trust assets; and
WHEREAS, A check in the amount of $52,168.35
representing a ten percent interest in the Samuel Untermyer Charitable
Unitrust was received on November 7, 2001; and
WHEREAS, The Director of Museums has recommended
that the $52,168.35 unrestricted bequest from the Samuel Untermyer Charitable
Unitrust for the de Young Museum be designated for the New de Young Museum
Fund of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee
of the Board of Trustees
of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
does hereby designate the $52,168.35 from the Samuel Untermyer Charitable
Unitrust, and any additional distributions, for the New de Young Museum
Fund of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee
of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco recognizes
the generosity of decedent Samuel Untermyer with sincere appreciation.
A motion was made and seconded. There
was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The
Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution
as Board Resolution 1395.
|
| |
B. Report on Admission Free Tuesdays
for 2001 Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company
Mr. Parker noted that the Ford Motor Company
established a program in 2000 to underwrite free days and marketing
support at several museums across the country including the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco. He reviewed the appended statistics for Ford
Free Tuesdays at the Legion of Honor, which totaled 70,775 visitors
from January 2 through November 27, 2001, or 20.2% of the weekly attendance.
The Ford Motor Company has generously committed to continuing this program
at the Fine Arts Museums for 2002.
|
| |
C. Report on City Budget
1. Consideration and Possible Action to
Adopt a Resolution Revising the City Budget for Fiscal Year 2001-02
Mr. Parker expressed concern regarding
the local impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the decline
in tourism in San Francisco, and the general economic recession. This
situation has adversely affected Hotel Tax proceeds, which pay for the
Museums’ City budget. The closure of the de Young Museum is an additional
factor negatively impacting the Museums’ financial situation.
Budget cuts are proposed for all of the
City’s art and cultural departments supported by the Hotel Tax. The
Mayor’s Office of Finance plans a $900k mid-year cut to the Museums’
current FY budget, which is approximately 16%. This cut can be
covered by $600k in expense reductions and
$300 k from an interdepartmental loan.
Expense reductions of $600 k include:
a) freezing four Museum Guard positions and one Curator V position vacated
since July 1st; b) deleting the $243k COFAM Education Program
reimbursement; and c) reducing the utility bill by $75k by lowering
temperatures and expanding humidity ranges, while still providing art
conservation and people comfort conditions.
The $300k interdepartmental loan will
be made by the War Memorial Commission to the City’s art departments.
The source of funds is a surplus of Hotel Tax funds built up for Opera
House and Veterans’ Building seismic work in 2007.
The War Memorial Commission must approve
the loan in December, and the package of cuts goes to the Board of Supervisors
in January. Loan repayment terms are no interest. Beginning next FY, half
of any FAM Hotel Tax allotment in excess of the current year will be transferred
to the War Memorial until the loan is repaid.
In response to a question raised by Trustee
Essey, Steve Dykes, Deputy Director of Administration and Finance, clarified
that most of the premium pay relates to the fact that we have two kinds
of guards, museum guards and security guards, who are paid the museum
guard rate. The premium pay line makes up the difference between the
two rates of pay.
Mr. Parker then introduced the subsequent
resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee
of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does
hereby authorize the President
and the Director of Museums to finalize
the Fiscal Year 2001-02 midyear City budget reductions with the Mayor’s
Office of Finance; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the tentative reduction
is approximately $900,000 of which $300,000 is likely to be a loan from
War Memorial Hotel Tax funds set aside for future seismic improvements.
A motion was made and seconded. There
was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The
Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution
as Board Resolution 1396.
2. Establishment of an Economic Stimulus
Task Force by Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Mr. Parker reported that the Mayor is
establishing an Economic Stimulus Task Force. The technology downturn,
September 11th tragedy, San Francisco’s 5.6 percent unemployment
rate, and a City budget shortfall of more than $100 million have prompted
this action. There are a number of capital projects, which might be
expedited with the potential to contribute more than $2 billion to the
San Francisco economy. The establishment of the Task Force will bring
together public and private leadership to develop short and long-term
strategies to keep the San Francisco economy strong. It is anticipated
that President Wilsey will be appointed to the Task Force.
|
| |
|
| |
D. Current and Future Exhibits
1. Report on the Cancellation of the Rockefeller
Collection International Tour to Florence, Rome and Bilbao, American
Accents 1670-1945, Masterworks from the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco, and Scheduling of Mobile, Alabama, Tri-Centennial
Celebration
In view of the September 11th
terrorist attacks, the international tour of the Rockefeller Collection
was cancelled. Mr. Parker pointed out that all loan commitments have
been and continue to be honored. However, the Rockefeller Collection
Tour agreement was not finalized, and it seemed prudent under the circumstances
to conclude discussions at this time. It is planned to send a large
part of
this exhibition to Mobile, Alabama, for
its Tri-Centennial Celebration in the fall of 2002.
|
| |
E. Personnel Report
Mr. Parker announced the resignation of
Melissa Leventon, Curator of Textiles, effective at the end of January
2002. The Executive Committee extended appreciation to Ms. Leventon
and best wishes in her endeavor to establish a textiles consulting business.
|
| |
E. Other Informational Item
1. Report on the American Association
of Museums Re-Accreditation Visit on January 10-11, 2002
The Re-Accreditation Visit, originally
scheduled for September 11-12, 2001, was cancelled due to the September
11th terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.
It has been re-set for January 10-11, 2001 and will include all of the
Museums’ sites -- the Interim de Young, de Young Art Center, Museum
Warehouse, Post Street Administrative Offices, Legion of Honor, and
the closed de Young Museum building. The members of the Re-Accreditation
Visiting Committee are Henry Adams, Curator of American Art at the Cleveland
Museum of Art, and Mimi Gates, Director of the Seattle Art Museum. Mr.
Parker will keep the Committee apprised of developments.
|
|
V.
|
Public Comment
Members of the public may address the
Executive Committee on items not on the agenda that are within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Speakers
may address the Executive Committee for up to three minutes; the President
or the Executive Committee may limit the total comment to thirty minutes.
There was no public comment.
|
|
VI.
|
Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current
and Future Exhibits
A. Executive Committee Meetings
Date Time Location
February 14, 2002 noon 6th
Floor, 233 Post Street
March 14, 2002 noon 6th Floor,
233 Post Street
May 9, 2002 noon 6th Floor,
233 Post Street
September 12, 2002 noon 6th
Floor, 233 Post Street
November 14, 2002 noon 6th
Floor, 233 Post Street
December 12, 2002 noon 6th
Floor, 233 Post Street
B. Board of Trustees Meetings
January 31, 20021
3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
April 11, 2002 3 p.m. Board Room,
Legion of Honor
June 13, 2002 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion
of Honor
October 10, 2002 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion
of Honor
C. Future Events
Date Event
January 31, 2002 Opening of Dreaming
with Open Eyes: The Vera, Silvia, and Arturo Schwarz Collection of Dada
and Surrealist Art in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
February 6, 2002 Opening of Masterworks
of New Guinea Art
March 11-15, 2002 Bouquets to Art
May 16-19, 2002 New de Young Museum Groundbreaking
June 13, 2002 Opening of Michael Sweerts
1624-1664
D. Current and Future Exhibitions (*Exhibitions
organized by FAMSF)
Books 1857-1930 from The Reva and
David Logan Collection of Illustrated
Books*
The Artist Book in the Modern Era, 1870-
10/06/01-01/06/02 Legion A-F
2000 / The Reva and David Logan Rosekrans
Collection of Illustrated Books*
Tapestry Rotation 10/27/01-04/00/02 Legion
2/3
Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary 10/27/01-02/24/02
Legion 1
California Works on Paper*
Richard Diebenkorn: Clubs and Spades*
01/19/02-04/28/02 Legion A
Logan Book Gallery 01/26/02-05/19/02 Legion
L
Masterworks of New Guinea Art:
Selections from the Marcia 02/02/02-05/05/02
Legion 6
and John Friede Collection*
Title Date Gallery
Dreaming with Open Eyes: Dada and 02/02/02-04/28/02
Legion B-F
Surrealist Art from the Vera, Silvia,
and Arturo Schwarz Collection
in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Bouquets to Art 03/12/02-03/15/02 Legion
All
Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary 03/09/02-06/23/02
Legion 1
Works on Paper*
Logan Book Gallery 05/25/02-09/15/02 Legion
L
Michael Sweerts 1624-1664* 06/1502-08/25/02
Legion 6
Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient
08/10/02-11/03/02 Legion A-F,
Art from The British Museum Rosekrans,10
Joseph Goldyne* 10/12/02-01/26/03 Legion
1
Hard Edge: Abstract Prints from Albers 11/23/02-03/16/03
Legion A
|
|
VII.
|
Adjournment - Diane B. Wilsey, President
There being no further business, the meeting
was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Gough
Executive Secretary
Note: These minutes set forth all actions
taken up by the Executive Committee on matters stated, but not necessarily
in the order in which the matters were considered.
mexcfamsf0112
|
