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, September 11, 2003, in the 6^th Floor Conference Room of the Administrative Offices at 233 Post Street, San Francisco.  A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 12:25 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.
Richard P. Essey
George Hecksher
Diane B. Lloyd-Butler, Vice President/Marketing and Communications
Nion McEvoy
J. Alec Merriam, Vice President
Robert P. Morrow III
Marianne H. Peterson
Michael H. Podell
Randolph H. Scott, Vice President/Audience Development and Civic Affairs
Lonna Wais
Diane B. Wilsey, President

Excused:

Shelagh Rohlen, Vice President/Annual Support

Other Trustees in Attendance:

Richard W. Goss II
Stephanie MacColl
Paul Violich, Vice President/Finance

III.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A.Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the June 26, 2003 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the June 26, 2003 meeting of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.

B. Report on Recent Developments Regarding the Building of a New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

Report on the New de Young “Topping Off” Celebration on October 18, 2003

President Wilsey advised that this matter will be addressed as part of the Executive Committee meeting of the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums, immediately following this meeting.

C.Report on the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Underground Parking Facility

Report on the Expectation of Access to the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park Which Led to the Reaffirmation of the Board of Trustees to Build a New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

President Wilsey reported that the construction of the New de Young Museum  is proceeding on schedule with the opening planned for summer 2005.  She emphasized the critical importance of the underground parking facility to the operation of the New de Young Museum.  At a minimum, the pod in front of the Museum must be completed in time for the opening of the Museum.  Access to the New de Young, which is vital in order for the Museum to reach its full potential to serve the community, has been a long-standing concern of the Board of Trustees. 

In fact, Mr. Parker noted that almost five years ago, the Board of Trustees at its October 15, 1998 meeting adopted a resolution supporting the efforts of the Concourse Authority to implement the Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act (Proposition J), as soon as possible, particularly those elements of the plan which guarantee access to the de Young Museum.  He pointed out that guaranteed visitor access was the prerequisite for building a New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Mr. Parker expressed concern over recent efforts by special interest groups to restrict or eliminate vehicular traffic in the Concourse.  He pointed out that the intent of Proposition J was to enhance access to the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences while at the same time creating a “pedestrian oasis.”  The removal of above ground parking, traffic calming measures, additional pedestrian, bicycle and multi-use paths, and an increase in green space, will serve to significantly reduce automobile traffic in the Concourse and establish a pedestrian oasis.

2.Consideration and Possible Action to Approve a Letter to the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Emphasizing the Critical Importance of Access to the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

President Wilsey presented a draft letter addressed to Michael Ellzey, Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority, which states the critical importance of access to the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, and includes many of the above comments.  In addition, the letter stresses that visitor drop-off access to the front of the New de Young is imperative.

Mr. Parker advised that the Concourse Authority has scheduled a public workshop regarding the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the underground garage at 6 p.m. today at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.  The FEIR was appealed to the Board of Supervisors by the Alliance for Golden Gate Park, following its certification by the San Francisco Planning Commission in August 2003.  The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold an appeal hearing on the FEIR for the Concourse underground garage on Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at 5:00 p.m.  Trustees were encouraged to attend.  Vice President Randolph Scott indicated his intention to speak at the September 16^th hearing.  Carolyn Macmillan, Deputy Director of Marketing and Communicates, reported that the lease and public financing components of the underground parking facility are scheduled for submission to the Finance Committee and to the Board of Supervisors in mid-October.  The appeal of the FEIR must be resolved before any City agency can act on a matter pertaining to Concourse underground parking facility.

The Executive Committee was firm in its support of the content of the proposed letter.  A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the letter to be sent to the Concourse Authority.  It was noted that a copy of the October 15, 1998 resolution adopted by the FAMSF Board of Trustees, as discussed above, is appended to the letter. There was no further discussion among Trustees.  One individual gave public testimony:

Tomasita Medál – Feels it is very important to win this.  If through access is not maintained on Concourse Drive, it opens the door to seven-day Kennedy Drive road closure.  She encouraged Trustees to participate more actively in Board of Supervisors’ hearings, especially the one on September 16^th.

There was no further public testimony.  The Executive Committee voted unanimously to authorize the President of the Board of Trustees and the Director of Museums to send the appended letter to the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority.

D.Pending the Affirmation of the Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Concourse Authority Underground Parking Facility by the Board of Supervisors  - Report on the Development and Negotiation of Documents, Granting Certain Easements, Licenses or Other Property Rights Which May Be Necessary to Facilitate the Construction, Operation and Location of a Parking Facility Under the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse Because Such Parking Facility May Encroach on Property Under the Jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Mr. Parker recalled that a resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees at its June 26, 2003 meeting, authorizing the Director of Museums to develop and negotiate the necessary documents granting certain easements, licenses, or other property rights, which may be necessary to facilitate the construction, operation and location of the underground parking facility.  He advised that it will be necessary to resolve the appeal of the FEIR of the underground garage to the Board of Supervisors before action can be taken on this matter.  Pending the outcome of the September 16^th Board of Supervisors hearing, the draft documents may be presented to the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums for approval at its October 9, 2003 meeting.

E.Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Setting the Dates of the 2004 Executive Committee Meetings

President Wilsey presented the following resolution setting the dates of the 2004 Executive Committee meetings:

RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby set the following dates, times and locations for its 2004 regular meetings:

DateTimeLocation
Thursday, March 11, noon, 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, May 13, noon, 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, September 9, noon, 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, November 11, noon, 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, December 9, noon, 233 Post Street, SF

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Executive Committee voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1445.

F.Report on the Cancellation of the November 13, 2003 Executive Committee Meeting

President Wilsey reported that the November 13, 2003 Executive Committee meeting has been cancelled.

  IV.

Director’s Report - Harry S. Parker III

A.Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests

Mr. Parker noted the high value of the loans requested, in particular the loans to the Museums of the French Regional American Museums Exchange (FRAME).  The Fine Arts Museums is a member of the FRAME organization, which is committed to loans of works of art between member institutions.  He presented the following loan requests:

1.From:Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR

For:Masterpieces of Seventeenth Century French Painting from the Museums of the French Regional American Museums Exchange (FRAME)
Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR:  10/11/03 – 1/5/04
Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL:  1/25/04 – 4/4/04

A.Eustache Le Sueur (French, 1617 – 1655)
Sleeping Venus, circa 1638 – 1639
Oil on canvas, 48 x 46 (121.9 x 116.8 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1977.10

Georges de La Tour (French, 1593 – 1652)
Old Woman, circa 1618 – 1619
Oil on canvas, 36 x 23 5/8 (91.4 x 60 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Collection
75.2.10

Georges de La Tour (French, 1593 – 1652)
Old Man, circa 1618 – 1619
Oil on canvas, 35 7/8 x 23 ¾ (91.1 x 60.3 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Collection
75.2.9

Louis Le Nain (French, 1600 – 1648)
Peasants Before Their House, circa 1641
Oil on canvas, 21 ¾ x 27 ¾ (55.2 x 70.5 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1941.17

Stipulations:The four paintings will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to Portland and return from Birmingham, and must be supervised by exhibition courier between venues.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

2.From:APT International Inc., Tokyo, Japan

For:Jardins et Fleurs dans L’Impressionnisme
Sogo Museum of Art, Yokohama, Japan:  2/7/04 – 3/28/04
Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art, Japan:  4/3/04 – 5/16/04
Utsunomiya Museum of Art, Japan:  5/23/04 – 7/4/04
Suntory Museum, Osaka, Japan:  7/12/04 – 8/29/04

A.Claude Monet (French, 1840 – 1926)
Water Lilies, circa 1914 – 1917
Oil on canvas, 65 3/8 x 56 (166.1 x 142.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1973.3

Camille Jacob Pissarro (French, 1830 – 1903)
Bouquet of Flowers (Bouquet de Fleurs), circa 1898
Oil on canvas, 21 ¼ x 25 ¾ (54 x 65.4 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Bequest of Marco F. Hellman
1974.6

Stipulations:The two paintings will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Japan with travel between venues in courier supervised shipments.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

*****

3.From:Museu Picasso, Barcelona, Spain

For:Picasso:  War and Peace
Museu Picasso, Barcelona, Spain:  5/25/04 – 9/26/04

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881 – 1973)
Still Life with Skull, Leeks, and Pitcher, March 14, 1945, 1945
Oil on canvas, 28 ¾ x 45 5/8 (73 x 115.9 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Whitney Warren, Jr., Bequest Fund in memory of Mrs. Adolph B. Spreckels, Grover A Magnin Bequest Fund and Margaret Oakes Income Fund
1992.1

Stipulations:The painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF conservation courier to and from Barcelona.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

*****

4.From:Museo Thyssen – Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain

For:Camille Corot:  Memory between Plein Air and the Salon
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain:  6/7/05 to 9/11/05

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796 - 1875)
View of Rome:  The Bridge and Castel Sant’Angelo with the Cupola of St. Peters, 1826 – 1827
Oil on paper mounted on canvas, 10 ½ x 17 (26.7 x 43.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Archer M. Huntington Fund
1935.2

Stipulations:The work on paper will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Madrid.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

*****

5.From:Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Inc., San Francisco, CA

For:Long-term Loan on a One-Year Renewable Basis Commencing
August 1, 2003 for Exhibit at the Hotel Argonaut, Hyde and
Jefferson Streets, San Francisco

A. Rodger & Co. (Scottish)
Ship Model – S. S. Robert Dollar
With glass case, single stack, painted red and black, $ on stack
130 ½ x 15 3/8 x 27 ¼ (331.5 x 39.1 x 69.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mr. Robert Dollar
50420

Stipulations:The ship model will be accompanied by a FAMSF conservator to and from the Argonaut Hotel, and the FAMSF conservator will oversee the installation of the model.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

*****

A motion was made and seconded to approve the above loans.  There was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Executive Committee voted unanimously to approve the loans subject to the conditions stated.

B.Report on the Loan of Four Piazzoni Murals to the California Capital Historic Preservation Society

At its June 26, 2003 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the loan of four of the fourteen Piazzoni murals, The Mountain, The Forest, Night, and Dawn. to the California Capital Historic Preservation Society in Sacramento, for display in the Treasurer’s Building.  Due to accessibility concerns regarding the Treasurer’s Building, the four Piazzoni murals have been secured in a State warehouse facility, for up to
six months at no cost to the Museums, until a suitable alternate site is finalized. 

In addition, Mr. Parker reported that a Transfer Agreement dated August 18, 2003 was executed by the Asian Art Museum and the Fine Arts Museums.  The agreement stipulates that the Fine Arts Museums will assume responsibility for the Piazzoni murals upon the completion of conservation and restoration of the murals.  The conservation and restoration of the four murals on loan to the California Capital Historic Preservation Society, The Mountain, The Forest, Night, and Dawn, was completed several months ago.  Conservation and restoration of the ten remaining Piazzoni murals continues.

C.Report on the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation

Mr. Parker reported that the Certificate of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation was filed with the Secretary of State on July 17, 2003.  The amended articles clarify the purpose of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation.

D.Report on the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee

The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee, chaired by Ira Michael Heyman, has scheduled a meeting of representatives of history-related organizations in the Bay Area, on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at the Old Mint.   This outreach effort is preliminary to a second meeting, a symposium on history museums, to be sponsored by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society.  The symposium will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2003 at the Old Mint, and will include an expanded audience and keynote speaker Professor Neil Harris from the University of Chicago.  Professor Harris is an authority on the evolution of history museums.

E.Report on the Three Year Loan of the Guarnerius Violin to the
San Francisco Symphony

In accordance with the terms of the loan agreement between the San Francisco Symphony and the Fine Arts Museums, the Guarnerius violin was returned to the Museums for display during the summer months.  It has since returned to the Symphony to be played by Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik during the 2003-04 San Francisco Symphony season.

F.Report on the Reactivation of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award

Carole and Robert McNeil have generously renewed their support of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award.  Nominations are being received for two $10,000 awards.  The McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award Task Force will meet on October 20, 2003 to select two award recipients to be honored at the January 22, 2004 meeting, when they will each present their proposed projects for $10,000 in funding to the Board of Trustees for approval.

G.Report on City Budget

Mr. Parker reported that hotel tax revenues are lower than projected by the Mayor’s Budget Office, and consequently, the Fine Arts Museums are faced with additional reductions.  Hotel tax revenues are the sole source of City support for the Museums.  City funding has decreased by approximately $1.9 million since the de Young Museum closed on December 31, 2000.

H.Current and Future Exhibits

At the request of Mr. Parker, Robert Flynn Johnson, Curator of Prints and Drawings, discussed the exhibition, Reverie and Reality:  19^th Century Photographs of India from the Ehrenfeld Collection.  This exhibition of 120 vintage photographs presents a visual history of India in the 19^th century.  The subject matter extends from famous architectural monuments to images of the natural landscape.  The variety of humanity is recorded in a series of photographs that range from scenes of daily life in villages to formal visits of foreign royalty.  The exhibit is drawn from the significant collection of Dr. William K. Enrehnfeld.  Mr. Johnson circulated the exhibition catalogue for review by the Executive Committee.  Reverie and Reality opens at the Legion of Honor this Saturday, September 13^th, and runs through February 15, 2004.

Mr. Parker noted that the Degas Sculptures exhibition will open at the Legion of Honor on October 18^tth.   It runs through January 18, 2004 and is followed by Art Deco, 1910-1939, from March 6, 2004 to July 4, 2004.  The Art Deco exhibition was the most popular exhibition in the history of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

  V.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Executive Committee on items 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.  One individual gave public comment:

Tomasita Medál – Reminded the Executive Committee that the issue of inclusion is important as the Nominating Committee prepares to convene in the fall.  As plans proceed to expand the de Young Museum, the Museums must take corresponding steps to expand staffing and the Board to reflect the diversity of
San Francisco.  Trustees were encouraged to attend the exhibit, Transitions in Contemporary Art, at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission Street, San Francisco, September 5 – October 3, 2003.

There was no further public comment.

VI.

Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits

A.Executive Committee Meetings

Date, Time, Location

2003November 13, 2003noon6^th Floor, 233 Post Street canceled
December 11, 2003, noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street

2004Thursday, March 11, noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street
Thursday, May 13, noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street
Thursday, September 9, noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street
Thursday, November 11, noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street
Thursday, December 9 , noon, 6^th Floor, 233 Post Street

B.Board of Trustees Meetings

DateTimeLocation

2003, October 9, 2003, 3 p.m., Board Room, Legion of Honor

2004, January 22, 2004, 3 p.m., Board Room, Legion of Honor
April 8, 2004, 3 p.m.Board Room, Legion of Honor
June 10, 2004, 3 p.m.Board Room, Legion of Honor
October 14, 2004, 3 p.m.Board Room, Legion of Honor

C.Future Events

DateEvent

October 15-17, 2003, National Council Meeting
October 16, 2003, Opening of Degas Sculptures
October 18, 2003, New de Young “Topping Off” Ceremony
October 24–November 2, 2003, Museum Associates Trip to Mexico
December 10, 2003, An Elegant Evening in the Court of Honor
February 12, 2004, Tribal Arts Benefit
March 4, 2004, Opening of Art Deco, 1910-1939
March 16-19, 2004, Bouquets to Art

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

Title, Date, Gallery

Textile Rotation*, 05/03/03-10/26/03, 3/9/9c/hall
Black and White Prints from the 1970s  and 1980s, *05/31/03-09/28/03, A
Recent Acquisitions of Artist Books*, 09/06/03-01/18/04, Logan
Reverie and Reality:  Nineteenth Century Photography of India from the Ehrenfeld Collection*, 09/13/03-02/15/04, 1-2
Degas Sculptures, 10/18/03-01/18/04, B-E/ Rosekrans
William Bailey Prints and Drawings*, 10/18/03-02/08/04, F
American Accents (to Winterthur, Delaware)*, 10/30/03-01/27/04
Textile Rotation*, 11/01/03-04/25/04, 3/9/9c/hall
Art Deco, 1910-1939, 03/06/04-07/04/04,19-14, A-F/Rosekrans
Anderson Print Rotation*, 03/20/04-07/04/04, 1
Bouquets to Art, 03/16/04-03/19/04, All
American Accents (to Charleston, West Virginia)*, 04/02/04-06/20/04
Textile Rotation*, 05/01/04-10/31/04, 3/9/9c/hall
Helnwein*, 07/17/04-11/14/04, 1
Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya*, 09/04/04-01/02/05, A- F/ Rosekrans
American Accents (to Athens, Georgia)*, 10/20/04-01/03/05

  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.


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