I.

Calling of the Meeting to Order – Diane B. Wilsey, President

A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Thursday, October 12, 2006, in the Piazzoni Murals Room of the de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  A quorum was present that being one-third of the number of Trustees in office.  President Wilsey called the meeting to order at 3:20 p.m. 

President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.

II.

Calling of the Roll

The following Trustees were present:

Adolphus Andrews, Jr.
Cheryl L. Bancroft
Shelby W. Bonnie
Kermit H. Boston
T. Robert Burke
Carol W. Casey
Gwen Chan
Barnaby Conrad III
Marion Moore Cope, Vice President for Annual Support
Harrison S. Fraker, Jr.
John A. Friede
Elise Friedman
Dr. Rupert Garcia
Lauren Hall
Kathryn Lasater
Monica Maduro
Lorna F. Meyer
Robert P. Morrow III
Marianne H. Peterson
Michael H. Podell
Louise H. Renne
Jeanne Robertson
Shelagh Rohlen
Mara E. Rosales
Lisa M. Sardegna
Arlene Schnitzer
Randolph R. Scott, Vice President for Audience Development and Civic Affairs
Jim Tananbaum
Diane B. Wilsey, President

On motion, duly seconded and carried unanimously, the following Trustees were excused:

Iris S. Chan
Penny Coulter
Molly Murphy Crowley
Denise B. Fitch
Karen B. Francois
Gretchen Kimball
Josie Mooney
Carl Pascarella
George B. Saxe
Trevor D. Traina
Carlos Pedro Villa
Lonna Wais
David Winton

The following ex-officio Trustees were unable to be present:

Mayor Gavin Newsom
Gloria Bonilla, President, Recreation and Park Commission

Other Trustees in attendance were:

Alvin H. Baum, Jr.
Frankie Jacobs Gillette
Richard W. Goss II
George Hecksher
J. Burgess Jamieson
J. Alec Merriam
Nancy Willis
Florence Sue Wong

III.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the September 14, 2006 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the September 14, 2006 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 Report of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation Dated October 5, 2006 - George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections, and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation

Chair Hecksher, Vice President for Collections and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, presented the report of the Acquisitions Committee dated October 5, 2006.  He advised that the Committee did not meet on September 27, 2006 due to insufficient material to justify holding a meeting.  However, several purchases and gifts were presented to the Acquisitions Committee for vote by mail ballot. 

1. Purchases

The Acquisitions Committee recommended six purchases to the Board of Trustees for approval.  Fist, 1946, by Enrico Donati, an American surrealist, is presently on view in Gallery 13 of the de Young Museum.  Music (after Jess), 2005, a painting by John Bankston, and four works on paper by the same artist, No. 15, 2005, No. 16, 2005, No. 17, 2005, and No. 18, 2005, were on display in the Connections Gallery at the de Young Museum earlier this year as part of the Locating Desire:  John Bankston exhibition.

2. Gifts Offered to the Foundation

Chair Hecksher discussed a major gift of five New Guinea objects from a Trustee and his wife made in honor of the first anniversary of the new de Young Museum:
1)  Ceremonial house finial figure, C-14 dating:  1660 - 1890 (95.4% probability), Biwat, middle Yuat River, Lower Sepik River, East Sepik Province; 2) Female Suspension Hook, C-14 dating:  1410 - 1500 (93.6% probability), Sawos, middle Sepik River, East Sepik Province; 3) Male Suspension Hook, C-14 dating:  1650 – 1890 (95.4% probability), Sawos, middle Sepik River, East Sepik Province; 4) Painting of wild fowl, 19^th – early 20^th century, Kambot (Tindama) people, probably Kambot village, Keram River, lower Sepik River, East Sepik Province; and 5) Painting of female figure, 19^th – early 20^th century, Kambot (Tindama) people, probably Kambot village, Keram River, lower Sepik River, East Sepik Province.  Mr. Buchanan expressed sincere appreciation to the Trustee and his wife, who have made the de Young installation of their Papua New Guinea collection possible.  The Board of Trustees recognized their generosity with a round of applause.

In addition, the Acquisitions Committee recommended another significant gift to the Board of Trustees for approval.  Chair Hecksher noted that the gift of sculpture, Claude Lorrain, 1889, cast of 1992, by Auguste Rodin, was made in honor of Lucy and John Buchanan.  This sculpture has been installed at the Legion of Honor at the entrance to the exhibition, Claude Lorrain, The Painter as Draftsman:  Drawings from the British Museum, which opens to the public this weekend.

Chair Hecksher presented the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco does hereby approve the appended October 5, 2006 report of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including approving
the six works of art, listed as Items 1 through 6 on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes, acquired through purchase as gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from the Fine Arts Museums Foundation; and approving a gift of five New Guinea objects in honor of the First Anniversary of the new de Young Museum and a gift of a Rodin sculpture in honor of Lucy and John Buchanan, both made to the Fine Arts Museums Foundation for loan to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and listed on page 2 of Appendix I of these minutes..

On motion, duly 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 1609.

C. Report on Recent California State Legislation (AB1234) Requiring State and Local Ethics Training for Commissioners Including the FAMSF Board of Trustees – Adine Varah, Deputy City Attorney

At the request of President Wilsey, Deputy City Attorney Adine Varah reported on recently enacted California State law requiring training in ethics and public meeting laws.  AB1234 imposes additional ethics training requirements beyond those currently required by local law.  Specifically, the State legislature now requires municipal officials, including the members of the Fine Arts Museums Board of Trustees, to receive at least two hours of additional training in general ethics principles and ethics laws every two years. 

The training program developed by the Office of the City Attorney was copied onto a DVD, which will be distributed to Trustees next week.  After viewing the DVD, Trustees will be required to sign and date a Certificate of Training.  Completion of the training and the filing of the Certificate of Training with the Ethics Commission must be accomplished by December 31, 2006.

IV.

Report of the Director – John E. Buchanan, Jr.

A. Report on the New de Young First Anniversary Celebration on October 13-14, 2006

Mr. Buchanan recalled that the new de Young Museum opened to acclaim on October 15, 2005.  To commemorate this historic event and to thank the public for its support this past year, a community-wide celebration of the first anniversary of the new
de Young is planned for this weekend. 

One year and over 1.6 million visitors later, the Fine Arts Museums celebrates the de Young’s first anniversary beginning Friday evening, October 13^th, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.  All galleries will be open to the public; the evening will feature live entertainment, hands-on art activities, book signings, and a dance party at 9 p.m. to Latin Rock in conjunction with the Chicano Visions exhibitions.

On Saturday, October 14^th, the de Young will host a community-wide free day, sponsored by Wells Fargo.  Mr. Buchanan acknowledged Trustee Iris Chan for her efforts in making this generous support possible.  Music, dancing, live performances, and family art programs will be featured throughout the day.  At 12:15 p.m., President Wilsey and Mayor Gavin Newsom will cut a ceremonial birthday cake, and more than 3,000 slices of birthday cake, generously donated by Just Desserts, will be served.  The day concludes with a Starlight Dance on Saturday evening, honoring the Museums’ charter members now numbering more than 82,000 households.

The first anniversary festivities coincide with the annual meeting of the Museums’ International Council.  A reception at the Legion of Honor tonight welcomes the International Council to San Francisco and celebrates the opening of two exhibitions, Claude Lorrain:  The Painter as Draftsman:  Drawings from the British Museum and Transparent Reflections:  Richard Pousette-Dart Works on Paper 1940-1992.  Eighty-five drawings from the collection of works by Claude Lorrain in the British Museum, London, are on view with approximately 15 of his paintings.  The Pousette-Dart exhibition features 52 works, representing a substantial body of Pousette-Dart’s drawings, as well as several of his hand-colored etchings.

B. Presentation of the Annual Report on the Education Programs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006 – Sheila Pressley, Director of Education

Mr. Buchanan recognized the importance and accomplishments of the Museums’ Education Department.  He emphasized that the Fine Arts Museums is an educational institution capable of influencing the lives of children and adults through art education.  In fact, the FAMSF Education Program was recently recognized by Child’s Magazine as the number one museum education program in the state of California and fourth ranked in the United States.  Sheila Pressley, Director of Education, was introduced, and she presented the appended Annual Report on the Education Programs at the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco, July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006.

Ms. Pressley commented that the Education programs are growing and have exceeded expectations during the first nine months the de Young Museum was open to the public.  She pointed out that the Hamon Education Tower includes four classrooms, a resource center for teachers, the Docent Center, and the Education Department offices.  The Kimball Gallery, located in the new de Young’s “free zoneâ€, designed specifically as an interactive space for all age groups, serves as the orientation point for all school tours, which totaled 56,395 students this past 2005-06 fiscal year.  Programs for adults and general visitors attracted 193,453 visitors during this same period of time.

The annual report discusses 27 education programs that serve audiences ranging from 3 ½ years of age to senior citizens.  These programs are designed for first-time museum visitors, as well as serious scholars.  The 249,848 visitors served during the 2005-06 fiscal year is double the number projected for this period.  It is clear that the de Young building and spaces are capable of accommodating large audiences.

Ms. Pressley particularly noted two programs.  The Artists’ Studio Program is a residency program based in the Kimball Gallery.  Each month, artists are invited to set-up their studios and display their art in this space.  These artists are selected primarily based on their ability to interact well with the public and to help audiences overcome inhibitions they may have viewing art. 

“Friday Nights at the de Young†offered unique programs to enhance the museum experience for all age groups.  The de Young was open until 8:45 p.m. every Friday night from October 21, 2005 through June 30, 2006.  Each evening focused on a specific theme related to the traveling exhibitions or the de Young’s permanent collection.  Live music, artist demonstrations, film, dance performances, lectures, and tours were provided.
 
Ms. Pressley concluded her remarks emphasizing her commitment to the continued growth of the Education Program and to sustaining the enthusiasm of the Museums’ various audiences.  She expressed appreciation for the ongoing support for the Education Program by a committed Administration and Board of Trustees.

C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Funding Expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums During the Period April 1 through June 30, 2006

The City’s Sunshine Ordinance requires the Fine Arts Museums to disclose the amount and source of all gifts received.  Mr. Buchanan presented the following resolution, which acknowledges funding expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for the period April 1 through June 30, 2006:

WHEREAS, The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that exists to support the activities of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and served as the developer of the new de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco does hereby acknowledge with gratitude funding in the amount of $6,641,304 expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for operations and $2,587,048 for the new de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park during the period April 1 through June 30, 2006.

On motion, duly 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 1610.

V.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Board of Trustees 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 Board for up to three minutes; the President or the Board of Trustees may limit total comments to thirty minutes.  There was no public comment.

VI.

Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits

A. 2007 Board of Trustees Meetings

B. 2006 Executive Committee Meeting

C. 2007 Executive Committee Meetings

D. Future Events

E. Current and Future Exhibitions (*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF)

1. Legion of Honor - Major Special Exhibitions

2. de Young Museum -  Major Special Exhibitions

VII.

Adjournment - Diane B. Wilsey, President

There being no further business, President Wilsey adjourned the meeting at
3:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Judy Gough
Executive Secretary

Note:  These minutes set forth all actions taken up by the Board of Trustees on matters stated, but not necessarily in the order in which the matters were considered.

mbtfamsf0610