Meeting Information

Community_Arts_and_Education_Committee

COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, and GRANTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
4:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco

Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 4:42 p.m.

Commissioners Present: Maya Draisin, Sherene Melania, Sherri Young

Staff Present: Nancy Gonchar, Judy Nemzoff, Dia Penning, Robynn Takayama

1. Cultural Equity Grants Program Director Report
   Because Program Director San San Wong was traveling, there was no report. She will report on program activity at the next month's meeting.
   
   
2. Community Arts and Education Program Director Report
   Ms. Nemzoff said the past eight months has been unprecedented regarding the amount of work that has taken place at the Cultural Centers. Facilities Manager Tom Petersen provided great resources to the buildings. Ms. Nemzoff feels that staff is working towards, and is achieving, improved communication and is reaching goals set out with the Center Directors. However, to allow time for adequate discussion of the motion items on the agenda, Ms. Nemzoff asked to move to the Arts Education motion and postpone a comprehensive Program Director's report to next month.
   
   
3. Arts Education Report
   Arts Education Program Manager Dia Penning introduced a resolution to support a part-time arts education intern position, a position that has been supported in the past. The current intern is leaving to attend graduate school, so the program will be seeking a new intern.
   
   Commissioner Melania made the following motion:
   Motion to enter into a grant agreement with the San Francisco Community Initiatives Fund in the amount not to exceed $25,000 to support an arts education intern.
   The motion passed unanimously.
   
   
4. Cultural Center Report
   Ms. Nemzoff recommended the following procedural guidelines: prior to the vote, each Cultural Center executive director or representative would be given an opportunity to address the Committee for a few minutes and then Commissioners would ask questions, if they wished.
   
   Ms. Nemzoff introduced the motions for Cultural Center funding by explaining that the motion for the African American Arts and Culture Center (“AAACC”) will need to go to the Executive Committee for action because one of the Commissioners on the present Committee is a resident artist at AAACC and therefore can't vote on AAACC motions. London Breed, director of the African American Art and Culture Complex, asked that the Community Arts, Education and Grants (“CAEG”) Committee remedy the situation by adding another Commissioner or replacing the Commissioner who has to recuse herself. She is concerned that the business for her organization will be postponed due to lack of quorum.
   
   In response to a comment about her Management and Program Plan (“MPP”), Ms. Breed said that she has a difficult time receiving foundation support because of the newness of the organization. She doesn't want the organization to be penalized for receiving additional City funds because she works hard to receive these funds from diverse sources.
   
   She also added that she appreciated the quick response to the MPP from staff.
   
   Motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget for the African American Arts and Culture Complex for a grant not to exceed $411,720.
   This motion was severed and will be moved to the Executive Committee.
   
   Mr. Vernon Grigg, president of the board of Bayview Opera House, Inc., (“BVOH”) said that BVOH is in transition. He requested 120 days of funding (July 1-October 30, 2007) to begin the process of re-tooling the management, administration, and operation of the BVOH since the executive director of ten years will be leaving the organization. He introduced two other board members, Felipe Paris and Patrick Goggin, who were present to demonstrate the commitment of the board to the development of the organization.
   
   He understands that the Commission will be looking to the board for changes and said that they are ready to meet that challenge.
   
   Commissioner Young asked how many people are on the board. Mr. Grigg said there were nine, and that three will be leaving. Commissioner Young asked how the board will continue programming through these transitions. Mr. Grigg said that much of the programming is handled by independent contractors who have been doing this for a while. He said that the board's commitment is to open up the doors, develop new programming, and bring in new community members.
   
   Commissioner Melania asked how the transition and program committee's tasks are connected to the transition. Mr. Grigg said that the programming committee will evaluate the accessibility and volume of the programming and will find the appropriate programs to operate. While much of the programming in the past was geared towards youth, he said that the board wants to create opportunities for other demographics as well. The transition committee will support the president on all aspects of operations to avoid things falling through the gaps. Another committee for board development is exploring how to attract new board members with skills the board needs.
   
   Commissioner Draisin wanted to know about the outreach to the entire neighborhood. Mr. Grigg said it currently happens through word of mouth. In the past, the Center relied on its teachers to do their own outreach. He said that staff needs to take more leadership in working with the neighborhood newspapers, and that the website needs to evolve. The board wants to work with the church- and community-based organizations. He said they will have three community support board meetings within the first 120 days in order to build partnerships with the community.
   
   Commissioner Draisin thanked the board for attending and said that she feels hopeful.
   
   Commissioner Johnston, who was present as a member of the audience, said that it’s not possible to have less programming than has already been in existence. He believes that Mr. Grigg is "getting the ball rolling" during the transition period. The request for partial funding is to support a plan to get the center through a critical period.
   
   Commissioner Johnston said the biggest problems over the past years at the Opera House has been the lack of programming and that the building has not been maintained. With the development of the Building and Grounds Superintendent position filled by Tom Petersen, SFAC can now demonstrate our commitment to the community as we take better care of the facility. Now it is up to the tenant to provide increased program possibilities.
   
   Commissioner Melania made the following motion:
   Motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget for the Bayview Opera House, Inc., for a grant not to exceed $95,494 for operations and programming July 1-October 30, 2007, contingent upon completion of revisions.
   The motion passed unanimously.
   
   Jennie Rodriguez, director of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts said she developed a solid program this year including 35-40 weekly art classes, a gallery schedule of eight exhibits, laying the groundwork for a Latino film festival on an annual basis, and ten collaborations with community groups. She added that they are celebrating their thirtieth anniversary and will launch a Latino awards in excellence art exhibit and sale on September 7, 2007, that will be annualized. The Center plans to bring in an events coordinator. They will also invest in board and staff, individual and group training.
   
   Commissioner Melania made the following motion:
   Motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget for Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts for a grant not to exceed $481,686, contingent upon completion of revisions.
   The motion passed unanimously.
   
   Jack Davis, director of SomArts, said that the Center concentrated on improving the building over the past several years. The Center's improvements were in response to constituents who needed internet connectivity. Now, he said, it's time to evaluate the Center's relationship to performers. In the coming year, staff will focus on engaging with artists. Staff positions will be altered to focus on marketing the younger artists.
   
   He said that two years ago, the Center was booked to the brim with little room for spontaneity. This year, the main bay gallery will not be programmed so that it will be available for special opportunities.
   
   Mr. Davis said that the difficulty of heating the large space limits its use. For example, dance concerts are not generally scheduled in the winter.
   
   Commissioner Melania asked about the program funded through criminal justice.
   
   Mr. Davis explained that SomArts acts as fiscal agent for a number of organizations, including a boxing club for youth in Visitacion Valley and the Western Addition, and an organization that works with youth at Balboa High School. SomArts also hosts agencies like Fostering Art where foster youth use the darkroom.
   
   Pam Wu, director of the Asian and Pacific Islander Cultural Center (“APICC”), a SomArts sub-grantee, shared the calendar poster for the United States of Asian America Festival.
   
   She said that it's time to evaluate the organization and APICC has hired Nancy Hom to develop a long-range plan for the organization. Currently, APICC provides performance space, marketing, and commissions to API artists. It's time to evaluate whether the community needs a building or whether the organization should become a program of SomArts.
   
   Jeff Jones, the development director of the Queer Cultural Center (“QCC”), a SomArts sub-grantee, reported that they were in the middle of their annual festival. QCC runs four programs: an annual festival, a commissioning program (20 artists), a website, and technical assistance to develop artists. The programs feed into each other and QCC has developed a number of successful queer artists and arts organizations through their support.
   
   Commissioner Melania asked whether the commissioning program includes outreach. Mr. Jones said that it only includes the commissioning. He explained that this is an entry-level program using a short application process and interview.
   
   Commissioner Melania made the following motion:
   Motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget for South of Market Cultural Center and sub grantees for a grant not to exceed $715,391, contingent upon completion of revisions (including $537,803 to Somarts, $88,794 to sub grantee Asian Pacific Islander Cultural, Center contingent upon completion of revision and $88,794 to sub-grantee Queer Cultural Center).
   The motion passed unanimously.
   
   Ms. Nemzoff said that Andrew Brother Elk had resigned as director of the Native American Cultural Center (“NACC”). Kim Schuck has been selected by NACC's board as interim executive director. She was the coordinator of NACC's spoken word performances and is a writer, activist, and artist.
   
   Ms. Schuck said that the community hadn't been served by the organization, and she has now asked for support from the community. She cultivated five new board members in two weeks. She will be collaborating with the de Young Museum and the gallery at San Francisco State University and she has proposals from artists to do workshops in San Francisco schools. She said that people are ready to have an organization that represents Native American community once again.
   
   Ms. Schuck introduced a new board member from the Human Rights Commission, Marcus De Maria Arana. He said that there is consensus in the community on a need for a Cultural Center and that NACC should be a venue to present culturally relevant art with the joy, beauty, and strength of the Native American community.
   
   Commissioner Young asked who is on the team. Ms. Schuck listed Michelle Moss, a graduate of San Francisco State University who works for a Native American youth center in health programming; Phil Klasky at the Cultural Conservancy, who records Native American songs and makes them available to the community; Mary Jean Robinson, who has the longest-running Native radio program on KPOO; Max Martin, an activist in the two spirits community who produces a show on public access television; and Margret Kariyama who supervised the transition of the Marin Museum of the Native American.
   
   Ms. Schuck stated that revitalizing the organization is doable and the community deserves it.
   
   Commissioner Melania asked how she was offered the position. Mr. De Maria Arana said that Ms. Schuck has great organizational skills and strong ties to the community that will help build the Center as it moves forward.
   
   Commissioner Draisin asked about the Center's timeline. Ms. Schuck said she had almost finished the MPP, but was seeking further review. She said she didn't feel it was right to complete the application until she could insure that the money would be managed properly and the programming could be planned. She is currently working on stabilizing the Center's financial situation.
   
   Commissioner Draisin said she appreciates Ms. Schuck's presence and looks forward to reading her proposal.
   
   Ms. Wu asked whether the money for NACC for 2006-2007 has been encumbered. Ms. Nemzoff said that the funds are secured, and that NACC is being reviewed by the Controller's Office. Ms. Gonchar said that the Commission will have to ask for the funds to be carried forward. Ms. Wu said she looks forward to working with Ms. Schuck.
   
   Commissioner Melania made the following motion:
   Motion to withhold funding to SomArts sub-grantee Native American Cultural Center until a proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget is submitted and approved.
   The motion passed unanimously.
   
   
5. Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Report
   Due to lack of time there was no buildings and ground report.
   
   
6. New Business
   Commissioner Draisin announced an online survey initiated by the San Francisco Arts Commission to determine what the community thinks are the greatest challenges to being an artist in the city.
   
   Ms. Wu said that she and Pamela Peniston of QCC have been appointed curators for Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi's office on the third Friday of every month and invited staff and commissioners to attend.
   
   
7. Adjournment
   As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.