Meeting Information

Full_Commission

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, January 9, 2006
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416

Minutes

President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   P.J. Johnston
   Andrea Cochran
   José Cuellar
   Leonard Hunter
   Janice Mirikitani
   Jeannene Przyblyski
   Lawrence Rinder
   Ethel Pitts Walker
   Pop Zhao
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Maya Draisin
   John Kriken
   Alexander Lloyd
   Beverly Prior
   Dede Wilsey
   M. Sue Lee
   
   
2. Approval of Minutes
   The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
   RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-001: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
   RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of December 5, 2005.
   
   NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
   
   
3. President’s Report
   President Johnston announced the annual celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday to be held at the Civic Auditorium, which he described as always incredible. He also announced that the citywide youth poetry contest had again been won by a WritersCorps student, Sean Williams of Mission High School, who would read his poem as part of the Civic Auditorium program. President Johnston introduced his teacher, WritersCorps veteran Chad Sweeney.
   
   Mr. Sweeney said that he was thrilled with his brilliant, kind and thoughtful student, and explained that Mr. Williams would read at Glide on Sunday, January 15, and then at the Civic Auditorium the next day. Mr. Sweeney remarked on the poem’s taking on the responsibility of the young generation to remake itelf, to renew the spirit of Dr. King rather than merely harking back to a bygone time. Mr. Williams then read his poem, to applause from the Commissioners and spectators. He thanked everyone for their enthusiastic reception.
   
   President Johnston explained that he had three priorities for the coming year, and urged Commissioners to consider their priorities and what they wished to accomplish in 2006. He noted that the several Commissioners appointed in 2005 were now well-acquainted with the work of the Commission. He mentioned the Earthquake Centennial commemoration as a focus for 2006, and the need for appointment of a new Commissioner with a dance background.
   
   He listed his three major priorities as follows: first, the Gallery, including resolving its temporary and permanent space and locations. He outlined some of the issues and interests involved, and ideas about the Gallery’s presence in City Hall. He is working with Gallery Director Meg Shiffler and Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth, and will work with Commissioners as well.
   
   His second priority is the budget, and helping staff to effectively advocate for adequate resources. He noted that small agencies like the Arts Commission are not usually among the first to feel improvements in the economic climate. He was optimistic about marrying the Mayor’s exciting vision of the arts with the resources to actually accomplish those goals, and to carry out the agency’s mission.
   
   His third priority is management of the facilities under the Arts Commission’s domain, particularly the Cultural Centers. He has begun meeting with City Administrator Ed Lee and a working group on facilities and infrastructure. He reaffirmed his commitment to improving the relationship with the Cultural Centers.
   
   President Johnston reiterated that he was interested in discussing these and other issues.
   
   
4. Director’s Report
   Mr. Newirth announced that the Gallery show Conversation 1: Oliver Herring and Tim Sullivan would continue through January 18, and reminded viewers to request the Gallery staff to show the two sets of videos by Oliver Herring.
   
   He discussed the budget process, explaining that this year did not seem as daunting as last year, though there is still a requirement to cut the budget and to absorb additional costs. He said that the Executive Committee would consider the budget at its meeting later in the month, and that the budget would not be completely final until June.
   
   He explained that he and President Johnston have been meeting with the Mid-Market Planning group, and that the Redevelopment Agency has taken a lead role in feasibility studies and planning. Both the Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts have been advising them.
   
   Mr. Newirth announced that the Arts Education Funders Collaborative (AEFC) would be holding professional development days at the Presidio’s Golden Gate Club later in the week.
   
   He reported on a recent visit to Mission Bay, with a tour of the artwork. He announced that the sculpture by Stephan Balkenhol in the UCSF Community Center’s atrium would be dedicated at a ceremony on Friday, January 13.
   
   He reported on the Arts Task Force, explaining that it was set to expire at the end of January and to issue its final report then. He reviewed its subcommittees (revenue, programs, structure) and their current draft recommendations, including the proposal to restore the allocation of Hotel Tax Fund money to the arts. He urged Commissioners to attend one or both of the remaining scheduled meetings. Commissioners discussed some of the proposals, stressing the importance of maintaining a public process and public oversight in grantmaking, and of matching the scope of responsibilities of the Arts Commission with the resources required to accomplish them.
   
   Commissioners also pointed out that the release of the Task Force’s final report would only begin another process and discussion within and between the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor, as well as the Commission and other City agencies and bodies, as to the actions they may wish to take in response. Mr. Newirth observed that some of the draft recommendations may require changes to ordinances or even the Charter, through the legislative or ballot processes, and that they had not yet been fully evaluated by the City Attorney’s office.
   
   Mr. Newirth reiterated the importance of the Commission’s taking a proactive role in the ongoing discussions, and thinking more globally, “outside the box,” to come up with new and better ways of doing things even if corresponding new resources are not forthcoming.
   
   Finally, Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the participation of Mr. Newirth, President Johnston, and various staff members in the Task Force meetings.
   
   
5. Consent Calendar
   RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-002
   Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
   
   Approval of Committee Minutes
   
   1. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-003: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2005.
      
      
   2. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-004: Motion to approve the revised Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2005.
      
      
   3. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-005: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of December 19, 2005.
      
      
   4. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-006: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2005.
      
      
   5. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-007: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2005.
      
      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (December 19, 2005)
   6. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-008: Motion to approve Junipero Serra Clubhouse and Playground Renovation Phase 1.
      
      
   7. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-009: Motion to approve Joseph Lee Gym Administrative Review Phase 3.
      
      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (December 21, 2005)
   8. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-010: Motion to approve the six poster designs by artist Abner Nolan (contingent upon recommended revisions) to be reproduced into 24 posters for temporary exhibition in kiosks on Market Street from February 10 to May 11, 2006, as part of the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Program.
      
      
   9. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-011: Motion to approve the Terry Hoff mockups for artwork for Laguna Honda Hospital.
      
      
   10. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-012: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Lewis deSoto for an amount not to exceed $6,000 for design development (including development of a prototype) of his proposal for a project honoring San Francisco’s Sister Cities at San Francisco International Airport.
       
       
   11. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-013: Motion to approve the conceptual proposal by Troy Corliss for an artwork for the Upper Noe Recreation Center.
       
       
   12. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-014: Motion to increase the amount of the Art Rail, Ltd. contract for Fabrication, Transportation and Consultation for Installation of Artworks on the Third Street Light Rail transit platforms from a total amount not to exceed $340,000 to a total amount not to exceed $350,000, to include an increase in the Artist Fee from $15,000 to $23,000, and an increase in the expense budget from an amount not to exceed $325,000 to an amount not to exceed $327,000, for increased consultation, project oversight requirements and windscreen design costs during fabrication and installation of the artworks.
       
       
   13. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-015: Motion to increase the amount of the Nobuho Nagasawa and Anita Margrill contract for Fabrication, Transportation and Consultation for Installation of Artworks for the Third Street Light Rail transit platforms from a total amount not to exceed $400,000 to an amount not to exceed $417,000, to include an increase in the Artist Fee from $15,000 to $32,000, for increased consultation and project oversight requirements during fabrication and installation of the artworks.
       
       
   14. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-016: Motion to approve the recommendation by the Central Subway selection panel of the following thirty artists and artist teams for the prequalified Central Subway Artist Pool, to be eligible for future consideration for artwork at each of three underground transit stations and one light rail transit platform planned for the Central Subway transit project, and also eligible for the 2005-2007 Prequalified Artist Pool: Ming Fay, Ann Gardner, Mike Mandel, Michele Oka Doner, Elwood LLC, Carl Cheng, Christian Moeller, Xavier Roux, Janet Zweig, Vito Acconci, James Carpenter, Mags Harries and Lajos Heder, Sheila Levant de Bretteville and Glen Cummings, Jody Pinto, Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz, Mildred Howard and John Winder, Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt, Janet Echelman, Keith Godard, Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schechter, Christopher Janney, Donald Lipski, Don Merkt, Tom Otterness, Buster Simpson, Laurie Lundquist, Anna Valentina Murch, Susan Schwartzenberg and Michael Davis, Po Shu Wang, and Katherine Aoki.
       
       
   15. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-017: Motion to approve the 2005 Selection Panel’s list of prequalified artists for the 2005-2007 pool: Seyed Alavi, Tomie Arai, Deborah G. Ascheim, Alice Aycock, Jo Babcock, Ron Baron, Todd Barricklow, Beep’ Inc., J.D. Beltran, Lynda Benglis, Donna Billick/Arthur Gonzales, Jaap Bongers, Sarah Bostwick, Beliz Brother, Cris Bruch, Bill and Mary Buchen, Mark Calderon, Ed Carpenter, James Carpenter, Robert Catalusci, Alfredo Ceibal, Dewey Crumpler, Joyce Dallal, Roberto Delgado, Lewis deSoto, Lisa Dinhofer, Ellen Driscoll, Felipe Dulzaides, Janet Echelman, Electroland, Jackie Ferrara, Claudia Fitch, Christian French, Karen Ganz, Cliff Garten, Sheila Ghidini, Brian Goggin, Red Grooms, Barbara Grygutis, Mags Harries and Lajos Heder, Al Held, Taraneh Hemami, Robin Hill, Timothy Horn, Oliver Jackson, Amana Brembry Johnson, Kristin Jones and Andrew Ginzel, Lorna Jordan, Ned Kahn, Jun Kaneko, Anne Marie Karlsen, Mel Katz, Sheila Klein, Paul Kos, Nils Krueger, Gyongy Laky, Mark Lere, Heidi Lippman, Cork Marcheschi, Fran Martin, Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz, Howard Meehan, Mary Miss, Peter Mollica, Gwynn Murrill, Darlene Nguyen-Ely, Al Price, Peter Reiquam, Peter Richards, Kent Roberts, Roxene Rockwell, Isis Rodriguez, John Roloff, Jon Rubin, Jim Sanborn, Norie Sato, Vicki Saulls, Tad Savinar, Jovi Schnell, Leni Schwendinger, Vicki Scuri, Scott Snibbe, Christopher Sproat, Michael Stutz, Athena Tacha, Catherine Wagner, Ann Weber, Elizabeth Cheatham Wild, Otto Youngers, Faye Zhang, and Bob Zoell.
       
       
6. Committee Reports
   1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      
      1. President Johnston reported that the Committee met and had a good discussion, primarily focused on the budget, with a report by Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar.
         
         
   2. Civic Design Review Committee—Andrea Cochran, Chair
      1. Commissioner Cochran reported that the Committee had a brief meeting, and approved the Juniperro Serra project.
         
         
   3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee
      
      1. President Johnston reported that the Committee continued to feel the loss of Commissioner Brown. He introduced Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff, who briefly presented the second and third motions below. The small increase in the grant to Intersection for the Arts is intended to help with the cost of WritersCorps events presented there. The grant to the San Francisco School Alliance is intended to pay for a consultant team to create a reader-friendly document from the Arts Education Master Plan for distribution to the public. She anticipates a press release in April on the implementation of the Master Plan, and was pleased that the Steering Committee was able to influence the expenditure of Propositon H funds for the next year. President Johnston said that the program, including Arts Education Officer Rachelle Axel, is doing great work, and that he is gratified to see how well-regarded the Arts Commission is by the education community.
         
         He presented the following motions:
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-018: Motion to approve the following panelists for Cultural Equity grants panel pool:
         
         Steve Suzuki, architect, Asian Neighborhood Design
         Fernando Marti, architect, Asian Neighborhood Design
         Richard Livingston, managing director, Exit Theater
         Bonner Odel, editor, IN DANCE
         Melanie Hogan, fundraising consultant
         Christian de la Huerta, novelist
         Rita Feliciano, writer
         
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-019: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to award a grant to Intersection for the Arts in the amount of $5,000 to support 2006 WritersCorps events from the Youth Arts Fund.
         
         
      4. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-020: Motion to approve a grant to the San Francisco School Alliance (formerly the Every Child Can Learn Foundation) not to exceed $15,000 to support the editing and graphic design completion of the Arts Education Master Plan from the Youth Arts Fund.
         
         
   4. Street Artists Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      1. President Johnston reported that the Committee was scheduled to meet on January 11. He presented the following motion.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0109-06-021: Motion to approve former certificate-holder for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Gustavo Carrizo.
         
         
   5. Visual Arts Committee—Jeannene Przyblyski, Chair
      
      1. Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee had a lively meeting, and was fearlessly involved in a number of projects. They met with one artist and promised him some assistance and advocacy; she was pleased to see how staff worked together to advise him on the project. She noted that Gallery Director Meg Shiffler is planning a program, “6,” related to the Earthquake Centennial.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee had an interesting discussion with representatives of Black Rock, which helped point out the need to develop criteria and processes, along with resources, for temporary public art. Finally, she reported discussions with Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and Supervisor Peskin’s office on the Broadway and Columbus project, reaffirming the commitment to work with the diverse community there.
         
         
7. New Business
   Mr. Newirth announced that he would be moderating a panel on arts in the community on January 30 at the Commonwealth Club, and thanked staff, including Community Arts and Education Program Associate Robynn Takayama and Ms. Nemzoff, for their help.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski announced that she and Ms. Manton would be speaking with the High Five artists on February 4 at the de Young Museum.
   
   Commissioner Mirikitani thanked President Johnston for sharing his vision for the year, and asked Commissioners for their thoughts on how they might share their visions with the Mayor. There was a brief discussion on this question. She closed by saying that she hoped that the Commission could be a source of inspiration and innovative thinking for the staff.
   
   
8. Reports and Announcements
   President Johnston said that the Mayor would announce the appointment of new Poet Laureate on Thursday, January 12. He recalled that Commissioner Mirikitani was the City’s second Poet Laureate, and that she had done fantastic work in the post.
   
   
9. Public Comment
   There was no other public comment.
   
   
10. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
    

    
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