Meeting Information

Executive_Committee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
4:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   P.J. Johnston
   Blanche Brown
   Alexander Lloyd
   Ethel Pitts Walker
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Maya Draisin
   
   Staff Present
   Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth
   Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
   
   
2. Discussion: Review and continuation of discussion of agency identity, communications strategy and branding.
   
   President Johnston recapped the Committee’s earlier conversations about branding and identity, noting that it is a priority to raise the Arts Commission’s profile, and give people a better idea of what the Commission does, to help them understand their own stake in it. He also recapped some of the ideas about how to do this, including the development of a public awareness campaign, and the seeking of pro bono marketing or advertising work and advertising space. He reminded Commissioners of the working “tagline” previously discussed, “We bring the arts to you, and you to the arts.”
   
   In general discussion, it was pointed out that the staff has been reduced by one-third in the last three years, and there is no longer in-house support for press relations; press releases are done by individual program staff, to the extent of their ability to do them. Pro bono public service announcements (“PSAs”) may be easier to obtain than pro bono public relations because PSAs can be done as a finished product and delivered to the Commission, and can become part of the donor firm’s portfolio; PR, on the other hand, requires much more follow-up and is much more open-ended. Broadcasters are required to run some PSAs, even though they may not run at the most desirable times.
   
   Commissioners discussed other ideas, including local community interest and arts television programs, both broadcast and cable; posters for bus shelters, buses, Decaux kiosks and other sites; a short promotional video; a stronger online presence. The discussion also included how decreased funding makes all of these more difficult to accomplish.
   
   
3. Discussion: Discussion of agency goals and priorities for fiscal year 2005-06.
   
   President Johnston said that he was looking forward to being able to meet regularly to step outside the week-to-week crises and set long-range goals and priorities for the agency, with the Committee’s mix of long experience and new energy brought to bear. He named the following priorities:
   
   
   1. Protecting and enhancing the budget;
   2. Improving the funding process with the Cultural Centers;
   3. Public art, including addressing the balance between temporary and permanent projects;
   4. Resolution of the Gallery's long-term location.
   
   
   Commissioners and staff discussed these priorities, noting some of the challenges they may pose.
   
   
4. Discussion: Discussion of Director’s goals and priorities for fiscal year 2005-06.
   
   Mr. Newirth listed several priorities for his own work in the next year, and solicited feedback from the Commissioners. These priorities include:
   
   Orienting new Commissioners on the agency, helping them to focus on “big-picture” ideas and policies;
   Making efforts to consolidate all staff offices on the second floor;
   Preparing briefings on the agency for each of the Supervisors;
   Working with the new Gallery Director on long-term planning for the Gallery;
   Streamlining and improving processes in Public Art;
   Working with Community Arts and Education on First 5, the implementation of the Master Plan, and the Cultural Centers; and considering how to develop programs like those at the Centers throughout the city;
   Analyzing the impact of the Commission’s funding, and of overall arts funding by the City;
   Developing and implementing guidelines for Civic Design, reestablishing it as adding value and not a bureaucratic hurdle; establishing awards for excellence;
   Investigating possible resources for the Collections and the Collections team;
   Supporting the Arts Commission’s priorities as the Arts Task Force prepares its recommendations.
   
   Mr. Newirth distributed copies of an article about Meg Shiffler, the new Gallery Director, written at the time of her departure from Seattle. He praised her boundless energy and incredible vision, predicting that she will be a great asset to the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery.
   
   
5. Discussion: Discussion of special initiatives and their prioritization, and related resource and staffing issues.
   
   Mr. Newirth said that the David Best project was a tremendous success, but it had totally consumed Public Art Program Director Jill Manton. He asked the Commissioners to consider how to prioritize time-intensive, high-profile projects like this with such a sharply reduced staff. Some potential projects connected with the centennial of the 1906 earthquake and fire were briefly mentioned.
   
   

   Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

spr July 28, 2005

Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 240, San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Info: Sharon Page Ritchie 415/252-2591

Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.

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