I.
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Calling of the Meeting to Order - Diane B. Wilsey, President
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A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Thursday, March 13, 2003, 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 12:20 p.m.
by Diane B. Wilsey, President. President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.
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II.
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Calling of the Roll
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Present:
Alvin H. Baum, Jr.
Belva Davis, Vice President/Audience Development and Civic Affairs
Richard P. Essey
George Hecksher
Diane B. Lloyd-Butler, Vice President/Marketing and Communications
J. Alec Merriam, Vice President
Marianne H. Peterson
Shelagh Rohlen, Vice President/Annual Support
Diane B. Wilsey, President
Excused:
Nion McEvoy
Robert P. Morrow III
Randolph R. Scott
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III.
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Report of the President - Diane B. Wilsey
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A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the January 23, 2003 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
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There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the January 23, 2003 meeting of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.
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B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution to Approve the Report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation of February 11, 2003 Including Approval of the Works of Art Acquired through Purchase and Donation as Gifts from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation - J. Alec Merriam, Chair and Vice President
1. Purchases
Chair Merriam particularly noted the following works of art recommended for purchase by the Acquisitions Committee for the Museums' European; Africa, Oceania and the Americas; American; and Prints and Drawings collections: a) Virgin and Child with Putti, ca 1490-1495, by Andrea della Robbia purchased in memory of late Trustee Emeritus Alfred S. Wilsey with memorial funds received in his honor; b) Monteith, 1691, by Anthony Nelme; c) Kero, 600-800 A.D., Huari, Tiwanaku, Andes;
d) Artifact with Three Declarations of Independence, 1991, by Armando Rascón; and
e) Bouquet de Roses, 1879, by Ignace-Henri-Jean-Théodore Fantin-Latour.
A motion was made and seconded to approve and accept the purchases listed as Items 1 through 6, on page 1 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 of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve and accept these purchases.
2. Gifts Offered to the Museums
The following gifts were discussed by Chair Merriam: a) #13-55, 1955, and #Mar. '44, 1944, #178, 1944, and #194, 1943, by Sidney Gordin; b) Sin, 2002, Az, 2002, and Untitled, 2003, by Edward Ruscha; and c) the remaining ten percent interest in twenty-two works on paper.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the gifts listed on pages 2 through 4 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 of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept these gifts.
3. Purchases Reported for the Record
These objects are listed on pages 5 through 7 of Appendix I of these minutes.
Chair Merriam introduced the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco does hereby approve the appended February 11, 2003 Report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation including approval of the works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation.
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C. Report on Recent Developments Regarding the Plans to Build a New
de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park
1. Report on the Voluntary Abandonment of the Appeal by the People
for a New de Young of the Judgment of the Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco, of September 11, 2002, Which Rejected All Claims Asserted by the People for a New de Young Challenging the City's Approval Process and the Environmental Analysis of the New
de Young Museum Project
On February 10, 2003, the People for a New de Young filed notice with the Court of Appeal of the State of California to voluntarily abandon its appeal of the September 11, 2002 judgment of the Superior Court, City and County of San Francisco.
The September 11, 2002 decision of Judge A. James Robertson ruled in favor of the City and Fine Arts Museums on all counts, rejecting all claims asserted by the People for a New de Young challenging the City's approval process and the environmental analysis of the New de Young Museum project. President Wilsey advised that the People for a New de Young further requested the Court of Appeal to make an order dismissing the appeal.
2. Report on the New de Young "Topping Off" Celebration on October 18, 2003
A "Topping Off" public celebration for the New de Young is planned for Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2003. Pam McDonald, Director of Audience Development and Civic Affairs, discussed the appended description of the "Topping Off" ceremony, which will be held in the Golden Gate Park Bandshell and Concourse areas. Trustee Belva Davis has agreed to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies; Trustees, staff and volunteers will be requested to actively participate in the planned activities.
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D. Report on the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Underground Parking Facility
President Wilsey welcomed Trustee Emerita Stephanie MacColl, a member of the Concourse Authority, and Trustee T. Robert Burke, who represents the Fine Arts Museums on the Music Concourse Community Partnership (MCCP). Other MCCP members are George Hume, Warren Hellman and Richard Bingham on behalf of the California Academy of Sciences. Richard Young is the project manager for the underground parking facility. The Music Concourse Community Partnership is a nonprofit public benefit corporation responsible for delivering the underground parking facility on schedule and on budget.
Trustee Burke distributed the following documents: a) a rendering of the proposed project (number 3); b) renderings of the current, existing condition and the total proposed project (numbers 1, 2, and 4); c) a timeline showing the order of completion of the New de Young Museum, Academy of Sciences and the underground garage; and d) a recap of the proposed underground garage budget, including soft costs and construction contract costs.
The $50 million garage project is vital to providing access to the New de Young Museum, Academy of Sciences, and other cultural organizations in the Park, and replaces Golden Gate Park surface parking with a total of 806 underground parking spaces. The cost per parking space is $46,698, however, if the construction costs relating to tunnels, ramps, etc., are excluded, the cost per parking space is reduced to $28,911. Approximately $40 million in funds have been raised to date; a tax-exempt bond financing will provide funds for the balance.
If the garage project moves forward without any serious delays and construction begins in summer 2003, project completion is expected in mid-second quarter 2005, just prior to the opening of the New de Young Museum in summer 2005. The Academy of Sciences is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2007. Deborah Frieden, Director of the New de Young Museum Project, noted that the
San Francisco Planning Commission certification hearing for the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the underground garage has been set for May 1, 2003.
Mr. Parker discussed Proposition J, which was passed by San Francisco voters in June 1998 as a means to help the museums (Academy and the de Young) remain in their historic sites in Golden Gate Park by guaranteeing access while providing much needed improvements in the Concourse area and the Park. In the Proposition, the term "pedestrian oasis" is used without specific definition. An extreme interpretation of "pedestrian oasis" could be one that prohibits vehicles in and around the Concourse. However, it is believed that this was not the intent of Proposition J. Another view of "pedestrian oasis" acknowledges its applicability to the core and depressed bowl area of the Concourse, but does not recognize its extension to the front doors of the Academy of Sciences or New de Young Museum. A third view of "pedestrian oasis" includes a broad number of improvements for pedestrians that would create a sense of an "oasis"
in the core and depressed bowl area of the Concourse, including pedestrian walkways, increased landscaping, reduction of vehicular paved areas, traffic calming measures, and pedestrian-friendly park features such as the de Young's two new garden areas.
Mr. Parker noted that in addition to emergency vehicle access, passenger-loading areas, within a reasonable distance to the entrance of the museums, are essential to accommodate disabled visitors, seniors, school children, and families with young children. Trustee MacColl advised that the Concourse Authority is aware of the necessity for passenger drop-off and loading areas in close proximity to the entrances of both the New de Young Museum and Academy of Sciences.
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E. Report on the Amendment of the San Francisco Park Code to Add Section 6.12 to Prohibit Motor Vehicle Traffic in Golden Gate Park on Saturdays on John F. Kennedy Drive between Kezar and 8th Avenue; Arguello Boulevard; Conservatory Drive East and Conservatory Drive West; and Bowling Green Drive between John F. Kennedy Drive and Middle Drive East
Mr. Parker reported that an amendment to the San Francisco Park Code would prohibit motor vehicle traffic in Golden Gate Park on Saturdays along John F. Kennedy Drive east of Eight Avenue, Bowling Green Drive, Arguello Boulevard, Conservatory Drive East and Conservatory Drive West. The Board of Supervisors' Land Use Committee, chaired by Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, held a public hearing in late February 2003 on the proposed legislation sponsored by Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez. The Land Use Committee did not vote on the proposal; the matter remains in Committee at the call of the chair.
Mr. Parker noted that when John F. Kennedy Drive is closed to motor vehicle traffic on Sundays, the front entrance of the de Young Museum is accessible by driving to the south side of the Park through the Arboretum to the Concourse. Although the proposed Saturday road closures are less extensive than Sunday road closures, it remains particularly inconvenient and confusing for museum visitors arriving from the northern sections of San Francisco, and Marin and San Mateo counties.
The Executive Committee clearly recognized the adverse impact of additional Park road closures on the New de Young Museum. Mr. Parker will keep the Executive Committee informed of developments including future public hearings regarding this matter. Carolyn Macmillan, Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications, reported that planning between the Fine Arts Museums, Academy of Sciences, and the Concourse Authority is underway to address issues of Concourse circulation, Saturday road closure, and the certification of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the underground parking facility.
The following articles from the February 25, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle, "Skaters, Drivers Battle for Golden Gate Park" by Rachel Gordon, and "Saturdays May Never Be the Same" by Ken Garcia, were distributed for review.
Trustee Read suggested that at the appropriate time in the future, the positive economic impact of the improvements to the Concourse area on the City of
San Francisco and tourism should be emphasized. The underground parking facility, the New de Young Museum, and the new Academy of Sciences total approximately $500 million in Park improvements.
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F. Other Informational Items
1. Report on the Cancellation of the May 8, 2003 Meeting of the
2. Report on Plans to Honor Trustee Emerita Ruth Asawa at the
April 10, 2003 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
3. Report on Change of Date for June 2003 Board of Trustees Meeting from Thursday, June 12, 2003 to Thursday, June 26, 2003 and Luncheon Honoring Trustee Nancy Hamon on Thursday, June 26, 2003
President Wilsey announced a change in date for the June 2003 meeting of the Board of Trustees from Thursday, June 12, 2003 to Thursday, June 26, 2003. A luncheon honoring Trustee Nancy Hamon for her extraordinary generosity in support of the New de Young Museum will precede the Board meeting.
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V.
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Director's Report - Harry S. Parker III
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A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests
1. From: Teatre - Museu Dali, Figueres, Spain
For: Salvador Dali and Mass Culture
Exhibition Centre Caixa Forum, Barcelona, Spain: 1/27/04- 5/23/04
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain: 6/15/04-8/30/04
Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989)
Portrait of Dorothy Spreckels Munn, 1942
Oil on canvas, 31 x 25 1/8 (78.7 x 63.8 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Charles A. Munn
1989.65
Stipulations: The painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to Barcelona and return from Madrid. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.
2. From: Linea d'ombra, srl, Casa dei Carraresi, Treviso, Italy
For: L'Impressionismo e l'Eta dei Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890)
Path between Garden Walls (Auvers Landscape), circa 1890
Charcoal with white chalk heightening and traces of graphite on beige laid paper, 32 x 40.2 cm (29.8 x 38.7 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Bequest of Ruth Haas Lilienthal
1975.2.5
Stipulations: The work on paper will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Treviso. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.
A motion was made and seconded. 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.
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B. Report on the Possible Return of a Sextant (Nautical Instrument) to the Heir of the Lender
Mr. Parker reported that a sextant (nautical instrument) was on loan to the Museums from 1911 until the Fine Arts Museums Board of Trustees at its April 2000 meeting authorized it to be sold in accordance with Section 1899.10 of the California Civic Code ("Old Loan Legislation" enacted in 1983). The grandson of the lender recently contacted the Museums regarding the feasibility of the return of the sextant to him as legal heir.
In consultation with Deputy City Attorney Adine Varah, the grandson of the lender filed a claim with the City requesting the return of the Sextant. Upon the recommendation of the Director of Museums, the City authorized the return of the Sextant to the grandson. Mr. Parker noted the significant family sentiment attached to the Sextant, and the fact that the Museums were prepared to sell it for minimal gain.
The Sextant was released by the Museums to the grandson on March 13, 2003.
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C. Report on the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee
Mr. Parker noted the obligation of the Fine Arts Museums to its San Francisco history collection. Ultimately, a possible transfer of the San Francisco history collection to a more suitable museum would be appropriate and desirable. However, the issues confronting the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (SFMHS) are numerous, and the work of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee is particularly time consuming for the President of the Board of Trustees, Director of Museums, and Executive Secretary of Museums, Judy Gough.
At the last meeting of the SFMHS Advisory Committee, Acting Chair Ira Michael Heyman, former chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley and former secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, created three working committees:
1) Development and Funding chaired by President Wilsey; 2) Collections; and
3) Governance. Charles Crocker, former Fine Arts Museums Foundation President and Fine Arts Museums representative on the SFMHS Advisory Committee, has been appointed to the Governance Committee. Mr. Parker participates on the SFMHS Advisory Committee, as well as the three working committees. The Fine Arts Museums' representatives are expected to attend, expend time and energy, and contribute advice to the SFMHS Advisory Committee and working committees.
The Executive Committee discussed the role of the President, the Former Foundation President, and the Director of Museums on the SFMHS Advisory Committee and concurred that their ongoing participation was in the best interests of the Fine Arts Museums and its San Francisco history collection. The overall effort was deemed to be relevant and important to the creation of a viable San Francisco history museum and to the goal of transferring the Fine Arts Museums' San Francisco history collection to this entity in the future.
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D. Report on City Budget
Mr. Parker reported that the Museums were faced with a $280,000 mid-year cut. The budget for Fiscal Year 2003-04 will also reflect this reduced level of City funding.
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E. Current and Future Exhibits
Leonard da Vinci and The Splendor of Poland opened at the Legion of Honor on March 8, 2003 and runs through May 18, 2003. Mr. Parker advised that he will travel to Monterrey, Mexico for the opening of African Art from the Fine Arts Museums on March 25, 2003.
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VI.
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Public Comment
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.
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VII.
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Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits
A. Executive Committee Meetings
Date Time Location
May 8, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street/canceled
September 11, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
November 13, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
December 11, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
B. Board of Trustees Meetings
April 10, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
June 12, 20031 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
October 9, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
C. Future Events
Date Event
March 10-14, 2003 Bouquets to Art
May 18-25, 2003 Museum Associates Trip to the Adirondacks / Maine
June 5, 2003 Annual Luncheon / Pia Palladino, Assistant Curator of the Robert Lehman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
October 16, 2003 Opening of Degas Sculptures
October 15-17, 2003 National Council Meeting
October 18, 2003 New de Young "Topping Off" Celebration
October 24 - November 2, Museum Associates Trip to Mexico
2003
D. Current and Future Exhibitions (*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF)
Title Date Gallery
African Art from The Fine Arts Museums 03/25/03-07/25/03
(Tour to Monterrey, Mexico)
Textile Rotation* 10/05/02/-04/27/03 Legion 3/9/9c/hall
Fan and Costume Rotation* 10/26/02-ongoing Legion 9 a/c
Big Prints* 01/25/03-08/31/03 Legion 1
Henry Moore: Celebrating a Gift* 01/25/03-05/18/03 Legion 2
Frank Lobdell: The Art of Making and 03/01/03-05/25/03 Legion 14 & 10
Meaning*
The Evolution of Imagery: The 03/01/03-06/15/03 Legion Logan
Sketchbooks of Frank Lobdell*
Leonardo da Vinci and The Splendor of 03/08/03-05/18/03 Legion A-F
Poland Rosekrans
Bouquets to Art 03/11/03-03/14/03 Legion All
Textile Rotation* 05/03/03-10/26/03 Legion 3/9/9c/hall
Black and White Prints from the 1970s 05/31/03-09/28/03 Legion A
and 1980s*
Treasures of a Lost Art: Italian 06/07/03-08/31/03 Legion B, E,
Manuscript Painting of the Middle Rosekrans
Ages and Renaissance
Artist Book Rotation* 06/21/03-10/19/03 Legion Logan
Indian Photography from the Ehrenfeld 09/14/03-03/07/04 Legion1-2
Collection*
Degas Sculptures 10/18/03-02/08/04 Legion B-E,
Anderson Print Rotation* 10/18/03-2/8/04 Legion F
Textile Rotation* 11/01/03-04/25/04 Legion 3/9/9c/hall
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VIII.
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Adjournment in Memory of Honorary Trustee June Goethe Craycroft - Diane B. Wilsey, President
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. in memory of Honorary Trustee June Goethe Craycroft.
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.
mexcfamsf033
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