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 12, 2002, 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.
|
|
|
|
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
Shelagh Rohlen, Vice President/Annual Support
Diane B. Wilsey
Excused:
Belva Davis, Vice President/Civic Affairs and Audience Development
Randolph R. Scott
|
III.
|
Closed Session for Conference with Legal Counsel for Existing Litigation
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
People for a New de Young vs. the City and County of San Francisco, the City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, San Francisco Planning Department, San Francisco Planning Commission, San Francisco Park and Recreation Department, San Francisco Park and Recreation Commission, Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority, Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums, a Corporation, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and Does 1 through 20, Filed with the Court of Appeal, State of California, on November 8, 2002, Case Number AO 100764
President Wilsey advised that on November 8, 2002 the People for a New
de Young filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeal, State of California. The People for a New de Young is appealing the September 11, 2002 ruling of Judge A. James Robertson, Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. Judge Robertson ruled in the City’s and Fine Arts Museums’ favor 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.
A. Public Comment on All Matters Pertaining to the Closed Session
President Wilsey stated that public comment would be taken at this time on all matters pertaining to the closed session before the Executive Committee votes to convene in closed session. There was no public comment.
B. Vote on Whether to Hold Closed Session to Confer with Legal Counsel
C. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 and
San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(d)
President Wilsey called the closed session to order and introduced Kate Stacy, Deputy City Attorney, who specifically addressed the November 8, 2002 appeal filed by the People for a New de Young with the Court of Appeal, State of California.
D. Return to Open Session
1. Possible Report on Action Taken in Closed Session [Government Code Section 54957.1(a)(2) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(b)(2)]
President Wilsey reported that no action was taken by the Executive Committee during the closed session and that the City Attorney’s Office will continue to defend any further litigation.
2. Vote to Elect Whether to Disclose Any or All Discussions Held in Closed Session [San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a)]
The Executive Committee voted unanimously not to disclose any of the discussion held in closed session.
|
IV.
|
Report of the President - Diane B. Wilsey
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the October 10, 2002 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the October 10, 2002 meeting of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.
|
|
|
B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution to Approve the Report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation of December 3, 2002 Including Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Director of Museums to Accept Certain Gifts of Works of Art within Sixty Days of the Date of a Certified Appraisal in Order to Comply with IRS Instructions for the Completion of the Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283; Approval of the Works of Art Acquired through Purchase and Donation as Gifts from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; Approval to Decline a Bequest of South Asian Artifacts; and Approval of First Step Deaccessioning - J. Alec Merriam, Chair and Vice President
1. Resolution Authorizing the Director of Museums to Accept Certain Gifts of Works of Art within Sixty Days of the Date of a Certified Appraisal in Accordance with IRS Instructions for the Completion of
the Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283
Chair Merriam advised that certain gifts of works of art accompanied by a certified appraisal must be accepted within sixty days of the date of the appraisal in accordance with IRS instructions for the completion of the Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283. The Acquisitions Committee has recommended that the Director of Museums be authorized to accept such gifts accompanied by a certified appraisal for report to the Acquisitions Committee at its next meeting
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the resolution on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes authorizing the Director of Museums to accept certain gifts of works art within sixty days of the date of a certified appraisal in order to comply with IRS instructions for the completion of the Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283.
2. Purchases
Chair Merriam particularly noted the following works of art recommended for purchase by the Acquisitions Committee for the Museums’ American and European Art collections: a) Study, New York, 1934, by John Marin; b) 31 December 1948, 1948, by Frank Lobdell; c) Love and the Maiden, 1877, by John Roddam Spencer Stanhope1; and d) Devotional Object, ca. 1660-1680, Sicily, Trapani, made possible, in part, through the generosity of a Trustee.
A motion was made and seconded to approve and accept the purchases listed as Items 1 through 9, on page 2 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.
3. Gifts Offered to the Museums
The following gifts were discussed by Chair Merriam: a) Friendship, 2000, by David Best, b) Canary Perched on a Tree Stump, 1749, and Canary Perched on a Tree Stump, 1749, Girl in a Swing Class, St. James’ Factory (English, active early 18th century); and c) four 19th century carpets, Turkey, Central Asia, and Azerbaijan. These gifts were acquired through the generosity of four Trustees. In addition, other notable gifts included: a) Summer 1967 (In Memory of James Budd Dixon), 1967, by Frank Lobdell; b) Martyrdom of Saint Bartolomeo, 17th century, by Luca Giordano; c) Christ at the Column, early 18th century, by Corrado Giaquinto; and d) four drawings and two sketch books by Frank Lobdell.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the gifts listed on pages 3 through 9 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.
4. Bequest Declined by the Museums
Upon the recommendation of the Acquisitions Committee, a motion was made and seconded to decline the bequest of a collection of South Asian Artifacts and Art, along with all books, periodicals and catalogues regarding South Asian Art. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to decline the bequest listed on page 10 of Appendix I of these minutes.
5. Approval of First Step Deaccessioning
Upon the recommendation of the Acquisitions Committee, a motion was made and seconded to approve first step deaccessioning for sixteen American Art paintings. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve first step deaccessioning for sixteen American Art paintings listed on pages 11 and 12 of Appendix I of these minutes.
6. Purchases Reported for the Record
These objects are listed on pages 13 through 15 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 December 3, 2002 Report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation including approval of a resolution authorizing the Director of Museums to accept certain gifts of works of art within sixty days of the date of a certified appraisal in order to comply with IRS instructions for the completion of the Noncash Charitable Contributions Form 8283; approval of the works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; approval to decline a bequest of South Asian Artifacts; and approval of first step deaccessioning.
A motion was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1425.
|
|
|
C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt 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 of
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 December 3, 2002 (last Acquisitions Committee meeting) through December 31, 2002, 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.
A motion was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1426.
|
|
|
D. Report on Recent Developments Regarding the Plans to Build a New
de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park
1. Report on the Two Month Postponement of the Opening of the Asian Art Museum in Its New Civic Center Location from January 23, 2003 to March 20, 2003
President Wilsey reported that the Asian Art Museum plans to open in its new Civic Center location have been delayed by two months. The opening is now scheduled for March 20, 2003. It is expected that the Asian’s Golden Gate Park facility will be fully vacated by the end of January 2003 to allow for hazardous materials abatement through mid-May 2003 followed by demolition.
|
|
|
E. Report on the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Underground Parking Facility
1. Report on a Statement to the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Regarding the Necessity of Access to the New de Young Museum
Mr. Parker discussed the appended letter to Michael Ellzey, Executive Director of the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority, dated December 9, 2002. This letter signed by President Wilsey and Director Parker, sets forth the Museums’ position regarding the necessity of access to the New de Young Museum. The letter specifically states that in keeping with the principles of Proposition J to reduce vehicular traffic in the Concourse, while maintaining access to the New de Young Museum, the Fine Arts Museums require the following: 1) cut-outs near institution entrances for easier visitor drop-off and pick-up; 2) maintenance of Tea Garden Drive and Academy Drive as one-way roads with a reduction of the number of lanes to discourage through traffic;
3) protection of access for youth, seniors, and the physically challenged; 4) access for school and special event buses to the front of the institutions to allow for drop-off and pick-up of visitors; and 5) MUNI and taxi accessibility to encourage "transit-first" policy.
Mr. Parker pointed out that Proposition J, the Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act of 1998, included the creation of a pedestrian oasis in the Concourse area situated between the New de Young Museum and the Academy of Sciences. Some members of the public view the concept of a pedestrian oasis as being traffic and vehicle free but recognize that some accommodation for emergency vehicle access, such as fire trucks, must be made.
At a Concourse Authority public meeting held on December 10, 2002, an equal number of members of the public spoke in favor of, or opposed, vehicle pullout areas. Mr. Parker particularly noted that the roadway through the Park and Concourse, as depicted on the appended vehicle access map, is narrowed by half to twenty feet, and that no parking will be allowed in the Concourse.
It is anticipated that the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the underground parking facility will be published by the San Francisco Planning Department this week followed by a forty-five day public comment period and a public hearing in early 2003. The certification of the DEIR is expected to occur next spring with construction commencing in summer 2003. Following twenty-two months of construction, the underground parking facility is scheduled for completion prior to the opening of the New de Young Museum.
|
|
|
|
V.
|
Director’s Report - Harry S. Parker III
|
|
|
A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests
1. From: French Regional American Museum Exchange (FRAME)
For: Masterpieces of Seventeenth Century French Painting from the Museums of FRAME
Portland Art Museum, Portland OR: 11/11/03 - 1/5/04
Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL: 1/25/04 - 4/4/04
a. Georges de La Tour (French, 1593-1652)
Old Woman, circa 1618-1619
Oil on canvas, 36 x 23 5/8 in. (91.4 x 60 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Collection
75.2.10
b. Louis Le Nain (French, 1600-1648)
Peasants Before Their House, circa 1641
Oil on canvas, 21 ¾ x 27 ¾ in. (55.2 x 70.5 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1941.17
Birmingham venue only:
c. Georges de La Tour (French, 1593-1652)
Old Man, circa 1618-1619
Oil on canvas, 35 7/8 x 23 3/4 in. (91.1 x 60.3 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes Collection
75.2.9
d. Eustache Le Sueur (French, 1617-1655)
Sleeping Venus, circa 1638-1639
Oil on canvas, 48 x 46 in. (121.9 x 116.8 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum Purchase, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1977.10
Stipulations: A Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco courier must accompany the paintings to and return from each venue. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.
*****
2. From: Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie (The National Museum in Warsaw), Warsaw, Poland
For: Masterpieces of European Painting from American and Polish Collections
Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Poland: 2/28/03 - 5/4/03
a. Jean Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732-1806)
The Good Mother, circa 1762-1763
Oil on canvas, 18 ½ x 22 ¼ (47 x 56.5 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Herbert Fleishhacker
54.2
b. Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828)
Don Ramon de Posada y Soto, circa 1801
Oil on canvas, 56 ¼ x 44 ½ (142.9 x 113 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of the Samuel H. Kress
Foundation
61.44.26
c. Anthony van Dyck (Flemish, 1599-1641)
Portrait of a Lady, circa 1620
Oil on canvas, 58 ¼ x 43 (148 x 109.2 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Roscoe and Margaret Oakes
Collection
75.2.11
Stipulations: A Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco courier must accompany the paintings to and return from Warsaw. 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.
|
|
|
B. Report on the Initial November 14, 2002 Meeting of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee
Mr. Parker reported that the initial meeting of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society Advisory Committee was held on November 14, 2002. The Fine Arts Museums are represented by President Wilsey and Charles Crocker. The other seven members of the Advisory Committee are: Ira Michael Heyman, former chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley and former secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; Charles Fracchia (research historian), Susan Goldstein
(San Francisco Public Library), Ink Mendelsohn and Richard Moran (San Francisco Museum and Historical Society), Susan Stryker and Melissa Szeto (San Francisco Board of Supervisors appointments).
The transfer of the Old Mint located at Fifth and Mission Streets from the United States General Services Administration to the City of San Francisco has been initiated, and a Task Force of the City’s Economic Development Office is considering the renovation and structured viability of the Old Mint. The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society submitted a comprehensive re-use proposal for the Old Mint, including a San Francisco history museum, a visitor center in partnership with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and special exhibit spaces for related collections (such as the history of coins and the Old Mint itself). There are two other proposals, one involving a private membership club / hotel and a low income housing proposal, each with a small museum component.
Mr. Parker advised that the Fine Arts Museums are staffing the Advisory Committee and that a $50,000 City allocation has been added to the FAMSF budget to catalogue and inventory San Francisco history objects. The City funds have not yet been released, but the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums is advancing the funds. A more detailed report on the status of the project to catalogue and inventory San Francisco history objects will be presented in the Spring of 2003. The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees will be kept apprised of developments.
|
|
|
C. Report on City Budget
Mr. Parker reported that an additional mid-year correction of three percent has been required of the departments funded through the City’s General Fund. Because the Museums are funded by the Hotel Tax Fund, they are exempt from this cut.
|
|
|
D. Current and Future Exhibits
At the request of Mr. Parker, Daniell Cornell, Associate Curator of American Art, discussed the exhibit, Casting a Spell: Winslow Homer, Artist and Angler, which opened at the Legion of Honor on December 7th and runs through February 9, 2003.
Consisting of sixty-five paintings, mostly watercolors, the exhibition is the first to look closely at one of this great American master’s favorite artistic themes, fly-fishing. The works are varied and span Homer’s entire career. His preferred fly-fishing regions -- the distinctive areas of Florida, Quebec, and the Adirondacks of New York State - elicited from the artist brilliant studies of light, atmosphere, and the spirit of place that convey the intensity of his experience in nature.
Patricia Junker, Curator of Paintings and Sculpture at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and former Assistant Curator of America Art at the Fine Arts Museums, organized the exhibition. The exhibition catalogue has been generously underwritten by J. Burgess and Elizabeth Jamieson, and the San Francisco presentation of the exhibition was made possible by support from The Bernard Osher Foundation. Casting a Spell travels to the Amon Carter Museum, where it will be on view from April 12 through June 22, 2003.
|
VI.
|
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. Public comment was received from one individual as follows:
Tomasita Medál - Encouraged the Museums to respond to the negative declaration regarding the Saturday closure of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park proposed by Supervisor Matt Gonzalez. Carolyn Macmillan, Deputy Director for Marketing and Communications, will contact Ms. Medál with additional information.
|
VII.
|
Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits
A. Executive Committee Meetings
Date Time Location
February 13, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
March 13, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
May 8, 2003 noon 6th Floor, 233 Post Street
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
Date Time Location
January 23, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
April 10, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
June 12, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
October 9, 2003 3 p.m. Board Room, Legion of Honor
C. Future Events
Date Event
February 13, 2003 Tribal Arts Show Gala Preview Opening
March 6, 2003 Opening of Leonardo da Vinci and The Splendor
March 10-14, 2003 Bouquets to Art
D. Current and Future Exhibitions (*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF)
Title Date Gallery
American Accents Tour, Mobile, AL 07/02/02-01/05/03
African Art from The Fine Arts Museums 08/15/02-04/30/03
(Tour to Mexico)
Philip Guston’s Poor Richard* 10/12/02-01/26/03 Legion 1
Max Ernst: Surrealism in Artists’ Books* 10/26/02-02/23/03 Legion L
Fan and Costume Rotation* 10/26/02-ongoing Legion 9 a/c
Casting a Spell: Winslow Homer, Artist 12/07/02-02/09/03 Legion A-E,
and Angler* Rosekrans
Hard Edge: Abstract Prints from Albers 12/12/02-02/09/03 Legion F
to Held*
Big Prints* 01/25/03-05/18/03 Legion 1
Henry Moore’s Sheep Piece* 01/25/03-04/20/03 Legion 2
Frank Lobdell* 03/01/03-05/25/03 Legion 14
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
Black and White Prints from the 1970s* 05/31/03-09/28/03 Legion A
Illuminated Manuscripts 06/07/03-08/24/03 Legion 1
Origins of the Russian Avant-Garde 06/28/03-09/14/03 Legion B-F,
Indian Photography from the Ehrenfeld
Collection* 09/14/03-01/04/04 Legion 1, 2
|
VIII.
|
Adjournment - Diane B. Wilsey, President
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 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.
mexcfamsf0212
|
