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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, December 9, 2004, 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.
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II.
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Calling of the Roll
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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 October 14, 2004 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the October 14, 2004 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 Approve the Report of the Acquisitions Committee of November 19, 2004 Including Approving a Resolution Authorizing the Exhibition of the International Post-World War II Collection at the New de Young Museum; Accepting the Works of Art Acquired through Purchase and Donation as Gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; Approving a Work of Art Purchased by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation for Loan to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; and Approving Works of Art Recommended for First Step and Second Step Deaccessioning - George Hecksher, Chair
1. Resolution to Authorize the Exhibition of the International Post-World War II Collection at the New de Young Museum
Chair Hecksher reported that the Acquisitions Committee at its November 19th meeting recommended the adoption of a resolution authorizing the exhibition of the international Post-World War II collection at the New de Young. In June 1988, the Board of Trustees approved a reorganization plan for the Museums’ permanent collection recommended by Director Harry S. Parker. The reorganization plan led to the exhibition of the Museum’s collections of Ancient Art, Prints and Drawings, and European paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture at the Legion of Honor. The Museums’ holdings in American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture, the Textiles collection, and the arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas continued to be exhibited at the de Young Museum.
The New de Young will open to the public on October 15, 2005 and will showcase traditional and contemporary art from around the globe, including such works as UW84DC #2 by Richard Deacon; a commissioned work by Andy Goldsworthy; Pierced Monolith with Color by Barbara Hepworth; Rip and Cross Cut Block Column by David Nash; STRONTIUM by Gerhard Richter; and Untitled by Doris Salcedo. The Acquisitions Committee noted that it is timely and appropriate to accept the recommendation of the Director of Museums to formally authorize the exhibition of the Post-World War II international art collection of painting and sculpture at the New de Young.
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the resolution authorizing the exhibition of the International Post-World War II collection at the New de Young set forth on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes.
2. Purchases
The Acquisitions Committee recommended the purchase of the following works of art: a) Shrine Figure: Standing Female with Child and Two Attendants, late 19th century, Ekiti (or Ikiti) region, Yoruba, Nigeria; b) [Metal “African Cloth” Sculpture], to be completed in 2005, by El Anatsui; c) The Story of the Bodhisativa (from the Killing Fields series), 2004, by Binh Danh; and d) Aesthetic Teapot, designed by James Hadley for Royal Worcester Porcelain Works British, design registered 1881, piece marked with
date letter for 1882. Through the generosity of a Trustee, A Pair of Altar Candlesticks, 1772, by by Johann Joachim Kaendler was purchased by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation for loan to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
A motion was made and seconded to accept and approve these purchases. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to accept and approve the purchases listed as Items 1, 2, 3, and 4, on page 2 of Appendix I of these minutes as gifts of art from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation. The purchase listed as Item 5 on page 2 of Appendix I of these minutes represents a Foundation purchase for loan to the Fine Arts Museums.
3. Gifts to the Museums
Chair Hecksher particularly noted the following gift to the European Art collection: Capitano Spavento from the Commedia Dell’Arte series, ca. 1760-1763, by Franz Anton Bustelli / Nymphenburg Factory. A motion was made and seconded to accept and approve the gifts offered to the Museums. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to accept and approve the gifts offered to the Museums by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation listed on pages 3 through 5 of Appendix I of these minutes.
4. First Step and Second Step Deaccessioning
A motion to approve first and second step deaccessioining was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to approve first and second step deaccessioning as listed on page 6 of Appendix I of these minutes.
5. Purchases Reported for the Record
These objects are listed on page 7 of Appendix I of these minutes.
Chair Hecksher introduced the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the appended November 19, 2004 report of the Acquisitions Committee of The Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including approving a resolution authorizing the exhibition of the international Post-World War II collection at the New de Young, accepting the works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from The Fine Arts Museums Foundation; approving a work of art purchased by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation for loan to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; and approving Works of Art Recommended for first step and second step deaccessioning.
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1535.
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C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Director to Accept Year End Gifts of Art
The following resolution was introduced by Chair Hecksher:
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 (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 19, 2004 (last Acquisitions Committee meeting) through December 31, 2004, if in his (or his designee’s) judgment, he deems it acceptable; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Director 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.
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1536.
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D. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring Arthur Foulds for His Generosity in Support of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and Naming the Arthur Foulds Security Control Room in the New de Young Museum
President Wilsey acknowledged with gratitude the generosity of many donors in support of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. The building of the New de Young Museum is rapidly progressing and is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2004. In accordance with the Museums’ donor recognition policy, it is important at this time to recognize donors who have made significant gifts to the New de Young Museum and to name certain spaces in the Museum in their honor.
President Wilsey presented the following resolution honoring Arthur Foulds, a former de Young Museum security officer:
WHEREAS, The building of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is the highest institutional priority of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Museums have called upon individuals, deeply committed to philanthropy and the public good, to achieve the ambitious Capital Campaign goal to fund the New de Young Museum through private sources; and
WHEREAS, The late Arthur Foulds, a former de Young Museum security officer, generously provided funds for the New de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the Museums’ donor recognition policy, does hereby name the Arthur Foulds Security Control Room of the New de Young Museum in honor of Arthur Foulds; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees expresses its lasting gratitude to Arthur Foulds for his extraordinary generosity in support of the New de Young Museum, which will enhance the cultural opportunities presented to the citizens of San Francisco and the Bay Area for generations to come.
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 1537.
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E. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring Katharine Hanrahan for Her Generosity in Support of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and Naming the Katharine Hanrahan American Art Study Center in the New de Young Museum
President Wilsey introduced the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The building of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is the highest institutional priority of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Museums have called upon individuals, deeply committed to philanthropy and the public good, to achieve the ambitious Capital Campaign goal to fund the New de Young Museum through private sources; and
WHEREAS, The late Katharine Hanrahan generously provided funds for the New de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the Museums’ donor recognition policy, does hereby name the Katharine Hanrahan American Art Study Center of the New de Young Museum in honor of Katharine Hanrahan; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees expresses its lasting gratitude to Katharine Hanrahan for her extraordinary generosity in support of the New de Young Museum, which will enhance the cultural opportunities presented to the citizens of San Francisco and the Bay Area for generations to come.
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 1538.
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F. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring Joan Diehl McCauley for Her Generosity in Support of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and Naming the Joan Diehl McCauley Objects Conservation Center in the New de Young Museum
President Wilsey read the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The building of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is the highest institutional priority of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Museums have called upon individuals, deeply committed to philanthropy and the public good, to achieve the ambitious Capital Campaign goal to fund the New de Young Museum through private sources; and
WHEREAS, The late Joan Diehl McCauley generously provided funds for the New de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the Museums’ donor recognition policy, does hereby name the Joan Diehl McCauley Objects Conservation Center of the New de Young Museum in honor of Joan Diehl McCauley; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees expresses its lasting gratitude to Joan Diehl McCauley for her extraordinary generosity in support of the New de Young Museum, which will enhance the cultural opportunities presented to the citizens of San Francisco and the Bay Area for generations to come.
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 1539.
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G. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring Genevieve Knowles Woods for Her Generosity in Support of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and Naming the Genevieve Knowles Woods Flower Room in the New de Young Museum
President Wilsey presented the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The building of the New de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is the highest institutional priority of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Museums have called upon individuals, deeply committed to philanthropy and the public good, to achieve the ambitious Capital Campaign goal to fund the New de Young Museum through private sources; and
WHEREAS, The late Genevieve Knowles Woods generously provided funds for the New de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the Museums’ donor recognition policy, does hereby name the Genevieve Knowles Woods Flower Room of the New de Young Museum in honor of Genevieve Knowles Woods; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees expresses its lasting gratitude to Genevieve Knowles Woods for her extraordinary generosity in support of the New de Young Museum, which will enhance the cultural opportunities presented to the citizens of San Francisco and the Bay Area for generations to come.
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 1540.
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H. Report on the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority Underground Parking Facility
The Recreation and Park Commission recently approved the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority resolution, creating a dedicated access route to the Music Concourse south garage pod in front of the California Academy of Sciences. The redesign of the southern entrance will allow cars to enter the Music Concourse from Lincoln Way (identified as Option 1 / inbound and outbound from 9th and Lincoln Way). The Recreation and Park Commission further required the Concourse Authority to continue to work with MUNI and pedestrian and bicycle groups to more fully develop the
Lincoln Way option. Next steps include: 1) preparation of necessary documentation by the attorneys for San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren’s approval; 2) resolution of safety / traffic issues; 3) advancement of design development / construction drawings; and 4) final approval of Option 1 improvements by the Recreation and Park Commission.
Expedited construction of the north underground parking pod in front of the New de Young Museum continues and is approximately 40 percent complete. The Concourse Authority expects to commission the north pod on September 7, 2005, and to open and staff the north pod of the garage by October 1st prior to the opening of the New de Young on October 15th. The south pod will most likely open in November 2005.
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IV.
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Director’s Report - Harry S. Parker III
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A. Consideration and Possible Action to Rescind the Admission Fee for Children Six to Twelve Years Old and to Change the Effective Date of the Increase in General Admission Fees at the Legion of Honor from October 15, 2005 to July 1, 2005
Mr. Parker recalled that the Board of Trustees at its meeting on October 14, 2005 approved an increase in the general admission fees at the Legion of Honor and de Young effective October 15, 2005, the opening date of the New de Young. The increase in general admission fees included initiating a $3 admission fee for children six to twelve years old. During discussion of the fees, Trustees noted the high cost of a family visit to the Museums and requested that staff consider adjusting the general admission fees to include a family rate.
Staff has reviewed the financial implications of implementing a family rate and recommends instead that children twelve years old and under continue to be admitted free of charge. Furthermore, staff has determined that it would be advantageous to implement the increase in general admission fees at the Legion of Honor effective with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005 rather than the October 15, 2005 date as originally proposed.
Mr. Parker presented the following resolution:
WHEREAS, At its meeting on October 14, 2004, the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco approved an increase in the general admission fees at the Legion of Honor and de Young, including initiating a $3 admission fee for children six to twelve years old, effective October 15, 2005, the opening date of the new de Young; and
WHEREAS, The Trustees noted the high cost of a family visit to the Museums and requested that staff consider adjusting the general admission fees to include a family rate; and
WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed the financial implications of implementing a family rate and recommends instead that children twelve years old and under should continue to be admitted free of charge at the Legion of Honor and de Young, and
WHEREAS, Staff has also determined that it would be advantageous to implement the increase in general admission fees at the Legion of Honor effective with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005 rather than the October 15, 2005 date as originally proposed; and
WHEREAS, The Director of Museums has accepted the recommendations of staff to continue to admit children twelve years old and under free of charge at the Legion of Honor and de Young, and to implement the increase in general admission fees at the Legion of Honor effective with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees does hereby accept the recommendation of the Director of Museums that children twelve years old and under shall continue to be admitted free of charge at the Legion of Honor and de Young Museums, and that the increase in the general admission fees at the Legion of Honor shall become effective with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005.
Current Proposed Legion
Legion Fees de Young Fees
Adults (18 - 64 years old) $8 $10
Seniors (65 or older) $5 $7
Youth (13 - 17 years old and college
students with ID) $5 $6
Children (12 years
old and under) Free Free
1st Tuesday of Month
at de Young Free
3rd Tuesday of Month
at Legion Free
Muni visitor discount
(fast pass or transfer) $2 off $2 off
Fine Arts Museums Members, School Groups
and Leaders, Disabled Groups and Leaders,
S.F. public/private K-12 students with ID,
Guests of FAMSF and American Association
of Museums Free Free
Other discounts and free periods set by Director of Museums
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees. One individual gave public testimony. Tomasita Medál spoke in support of this change and recommended that efforts be devoted to disseminating this information to the community. There was no further public testimony. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1541.
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C. City Budget
The business tax increases on the November 2, 2004 San Francisco ballot failed to pass, and the Mayor’s Budget Office has informed City departments that the current FY 2004-05 City budget will need to be reduced by $98 million. At the request of Mr. Parker, Steve Dykes, Director of Budget and Finance, reported that the Museums’ has submitted its proposal to reduce the current year’s budget by $100,000. He noted that the Museums’ FY 2004-05 City budget includes 23 new guard positions, which will provide closed-door security to reinstall the collections at the New de Young. The FY 2005-06 City budget request will include approximately 50 more guard and maintenance positions to open the de Young to the public on October 15, 2005.
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D. Current and Future Exhibits
1. Report on the November 20, 2004 Visit of Rigoberta Menchú to the Legion of Honor in Celebration of the Courtly Art of theAncient Maya Exhibition
On November 20, 2004, Rigoberta Menchú, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work for social justice and the rights of indigenous people, visited the Legion of Honor and the Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya exhibition. At the request of Mr. Parker, Pam McDonald, Director of Audience Development and Civic affairs, reported that approximately 150 native Americans attended the sunrise ceremony honoring Ms. Menchú. Later that morning, she delivered a one-hour presentation in the Florence Gould Theater to a standing-room-only audience of over 350 people. The Museum Store sold all 100 copies of her autobiography, and visitors waited up to 2 ½ hours to have their books autographed. Ms. Menchú received official commendations from State Senate President John Burton, State Senator Deborah Ortiz, Mayor Gavin Newsom, the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, the American Friends Service Committee, and Chan Kahal, a Mayan Association of Marin County. The Fine Arts Museums received a special commendation from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission for its outreach work on behalf of the Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya exhibition.
Mr. Parker expressed appreciation to Tomasita Medál and the Danza Azteca Xitlalli de San Francisco for their participation in the November 20th event.
2. Change in Opening Reception Date of Bonjour Monsieur Courbet! The Bruyas Collection from Montpellier to Friday, January 21, 2005, from Thursday, January 20, 2005
Mr. Parker announced a change in the opening reception date of Bonjour Monsieur Courbet! The Bruyas Collection from Montpellier exhibition from Thursday, January 20, 2005, to Friday, January 21, 2005, to facilitate the visits of the French dignitaries from Montpellier and due to the presidential inauguration. Mr. Parker advised that Lynn Orr, Curator of European Art, will discuss this exhibition at the January 13, 2005 meeting of the Board of Trustees. Bonjour Monsieur Courbet! has been organized by the Musée Fabre, Montpellier, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Fine Arts Museums under the auspices of the French Regional and American Museum Exchange (FRAME).
An editorial from The December 7, 2004 edition of The New York Times was circulated to the Executive Committee. The editorial carried the title King Tut, Part 2. Unlike the first Tut exhibition in 1978, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is sponsored by a commercial entity, Anschutz Entertainment Group, which operates the Staples Center in Los Angeles and other sports and entertainment venues. In essence, this exhibition outsources to a commercial company the museum’s job of curating exhibition content. A $10 million profit per city is expected, and admission will cost $30. None of the revenues benefit the site museums but are returned to the government of Egypt to help restore treasures such as the Pyramids. Mr. Parker noted that few major American museums are participating in King Tut,
Part 2 including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Field Museum in Chicago, and perhaps the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco declined participation in this commercial venture, as did the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It was pointed out that the opening exhibition of the New de Young, Daughter of Re: Hatshepsut King of Egypt, is scheduled at about the same time as the Tutankhamun exhibition tour.
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V.
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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 provided public comment as follows:
Tomasita Medál –Encouraged the Board of Trustees to consider and respond to her appended letter dated December 9, 2004. She requested that the letter and attached position statement regarding San Francisco Museum Community Inclusion be distributed to Trustees. She then acknowledged Stuart Hata, General Manager of the de Young Store, Renee Baldocchi, Coordiinator of Public Programs / Docents, and Pam McDonald for their community inclusion efforts particularly regarding the Maya exhibition. Their efforts demonstrate the contributions made by staff of color at the Fine Arts Museums.
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VI.
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Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits
A. 2005 Board of Trustees Meetings
Date; Time; Location
Thursday, January 13; 3 p.m.; Board Room, Legion of Honor
Thursday, April 14; 3 p.m.; Board Room, Legion of Honor
Thursday, June 2; 3 p.m.; Board Room, Legion of Honor
Thursday, October 20; 3 p.m.; FAMily Room, de Young Museum
B. 2005 Executive Committee Meetings
Date; Time; Location
Thursday, March 10; noon; 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, May 12; noon; 233 Post Street, SF
Thursday, September 15; noon; FAMily Room, de Young Museum
Thursday, December 15; noon; FAMily Room, de Young Museum
C. Future Events
Date; Event
January 21, 2005; Opening of Bonjour Monsieur Courbet! The Bruyas Collection from Montpellier
February 10, 2005; Tribal Arts Benefit
March 8 – 11, 2005; Bouquets to Art
April 28, 2005; Opening of Artwear: Fashion and Anti-Fashion*
October 15, 2005; Opening of the New de Young Museum
D.Current and Future Exhibitions (*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF)
Title Date Gallery
Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya; *09/04/04-01/02/05; A-F/Rosekrans
Observations of the Spirit:
The Sketchbooks of Judith Clancy,
1950-1990; 09/18/04-01/16/05; Logan
Textile Rotation - Waistcoats*; 11/06/04-05/01/05; 3/9/9c/hall case
Bonjour Monsieur Courbet! The
Bruyas Collection from Montpellier; 01/22/05-04/03/05; B-F/Rosekrans
Bouquets to Art; 03/08/05-03/11/05; Legion, All
Artwear: Fashion and Anti-Fashion*; 05/14/05-10/30/05; B-F/Rosekrans
Daughter of Re: Hatshepsut
King of Egypt*; 10/15/05-02/05/06; de Young, A-D
Jasper Johns: 45 Years of Master
Prints; 10/15/05-01/31/06; de Young/Anderson
Title Date Gallery
Elder Arts 2005; 10/15/05-10/22/05; de Young
R. Crumb and Art History*; 11/19/05-02/19/06; A-F/Rosekrans
San Francisco Earthquake and Fire:
Photographs by Arnold Genthe*; 02/18/06-05/28/06; D-F/Rosekrans
Old Master Drawings from the
Goldyne Collection*; 02/18/06-05/28/06; Legion, A-C
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VII.
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Adjournment in Memory of Honorary Trustee Jay D. McEvoy – Diane B. Wilsey, President
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:07 p.m. in memory of Honorary Trustee Jay D. McEvoy.
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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