Meeting Information

Full_Commission

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, January 5, 2009
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416

Minutes

President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   P.J. Johnston, President
   Maya Draisin, Vice President
   René Bihan
   John Calloway
   Lorraine García-Nakata
   Sherene Melania
   Jeannene Przyblyski
   Cass Calder Smith
   Sherri Young
   Pop Zhao
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Nínive Calegari
   Topher Delaney
   Alexander Lloyd
   Dede Wilsey
   Christina Olague
   
   
2. Approval of Minutes
   Because the minutes for the meeting of November 21, 2008, had not been distributed, the motion for their approval was withdrawn. The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-001: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
   RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Meeting of December 1, 2008.
   
   NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
   
   
3. President’s Report
   President Johnston reported that Bill Fontana, whose sound art exhibit will open in City Hall on February 12, 2009, was unable to attend this meeting, and would present his work to the Commission at a future meeting. President Johnston invited Gallery Director Meg Shiffler to discuss the project. She explained that the project would be up for about three months, and would consist of natural and historical archival sounds played from six transducers (highly specialized speakers which focus sound) and audible in the Rotunda and other areas of City Hall. She recommended the fourth floor corridors as a good spot to hear the sound. Ms. Shiffler described Mr. Fontana as a San Francisco treasure, an artist of international renown. She noted that his last major piece in San Francisco, some twenty years ago at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, used the façade of the War Memorial Opera House, now the home of the Arts Commission Gallery.
   
   Mr. Cancel added that all the sounds came from San Francisco, and that when he attended one of the tests for the project, he was struck by the unique quality of the sound. Ms. Shiffler reported that she had worked very closely with the Mayor’s Office on Disability, the Lighthouse for the Blind and other constituencies to ensure that the piece will be consistent with City Hall accessibility. She added that she hopes to include posters and the JCDecaux kiosks in the publicity for the project.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski pointed out that Mr. Fontana is a local artist, one who has exhibited internationally. She said that San Francisco expects its artists to go out into the world, and likewise welcomes the world’s artists to San Francisco.
   
   Ms. Shiffler noted that this project was funded by an unusual mixture of sources, including almost half from a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”), and a significant amount from local private contributors and foundations, along with some funds from the Arts Commission.
   
   President Johnston noted that financial issues were a major concern to everyone, and predicted increasing pressure for the Arts Commission to work with local artists. He noted Mr. Cancel’s recent op-ed about the importance of funding going to nationally and internationally known artists, echoing Commissioner Przyblyski’s comment.
   
   President Johnston reported that the Executive Committee met in December, and expected the Committee’s January meeting to be more intense. Noting that the financial crisis is trickling down to every sector of City government, including the arts, President Johnston reported that Mr. Cancel is working with staff and with other agencies to prepare a responsive plan. He added that one bright note was that Cultural Equity Grants (“CEG”) reductions approved at the Commission’s December meeting were restored.
   
   President Johnston reported that the Mayor had called a meeting of Commission presidents requesting their support of their departments as they determined where to cut their budgets. His direction was to cut 25% of the operating budget in the coming fiscal year, specifically indicating that he expects cuts in personnel spending, which is some 90% of the City’s budget. The Mayor is predicting an operating deficit of more than $500,000,000 in the discretionary portion of the budget, $1,200,000,000; i.e., almost half of the City’s discretionary spending. President Johnston explained that cuts must come from labor costs, noting that even the proposed 25% cut won’t cover all of the shortfall. He reported that the Mayor is meeting with the unions to discuss renegotiating contracts. He added that the Commissioners’ role was to approve the agency’s budget, and not to make the individual decisions about who is laid off or whose hours are cut back. He lamented that this was a difficult and unhappy way to start a new year.
   
   President Johnston noted his appreciation of Commissioner Calloway’s participation in the Executive Committee’s December meeting. Reviewing the schedule, he said that the agency’s budget was due to the Mayor’s office on February 20, and that there would be a midyear review. Finally, he noted that the State’s budget situation looks equally bad, and he hoped that the new Obama administration might improve things, perhaps with funds for the arts included in the economic stimulus package. He encouraged sharing ideas.
   
   
   
4. Director’s Report
   Mr. Cancel reported that he and staff have been working to insure that the creative community is included in the Obama economic stimulus plans. One idea being promoted is the hiring of artists from a variety of disciplines to work in the schools, modeled after the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (“CETA”) program begun in the 1970’s. He recalled the program’s broad impact, including half a dozen artists who worked at the Bronx Museum during his tenure there. He and other Arts Commission staff will be meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office to join the national effort to ensure that some of the federal stimulus money goes to artists in schools. He expects this to position the Arts Commission to administer those funds, helping to hire artists and get them further involved in the community.
   
   Mr. Cancel reported on a disturbing trend, the series of graffiti and vandalism attacks on the Holocaust Memorial at the Legion of Honor. The vandals seem to be using the memorial as a misplaced target for their protest against the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. He said that it is unfortunate that anyone would deface this moving memorial artwork by George Segal with anti-semitic statements.
   
   Mr. Cancel reported that staff was able to achieve the Mayor’s midyear cut of $85,000 with existing budget resources, including the withdrawal of the new cultural voucher program and other savings in administration, to allow restoration of funding to CEG grantees.
   
   Mr. Cancel referred to the memo from the Mayor’s office directing all agencies to cut 25% from their General Fund expenditures, explaining that this meant about $400,000 for the Arts Commission. He reiterated that the Mayor said explicitly that cuts should not be made to grants but to headcount. Mr. Cancel reviewed the web of funding sources that support the Arts Commission. Nearly 8.8 full-time-equivalent (“FTE”) positions are funded by the General Fund, the target for the $400,000 cut. The POP account covers 7.3 positions. Other positions are funded by work order from othe City departments, by special funds including NEA, California Arts Council and other grants, as well as the Street Artists revenues.
   
   Mr. Cancel said that complex Civil Service rules cover each position, and he has met with Department of Human Resources (“DHR”) staff to review them. He explained that in many cases, if someone in a particular classification is laid off from one department, they can “bump” someone in the same classification with less seniority in another department. The question of which positions at the Arts Commission might be “bumped” and which Arts Commission staff might “bump” someone at another agency is one element in considering how to restructure the Arts Commission.
   
   Mr. Cancel has begun conversations with staff about ideas for the restructuring, and expects to bring a first draft proposal to the Executive Committee on January 26, and a revision to the full Commission on February 2.
   
   In response to a question, Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar explained that “bumping” is not an issue for several positions at the Arts Commission because their job descriptions include “special conditions,” requirements for extensive and specialized arts experience; very few other City employees will have that experience, even though they may have more seniority.
   
   The Commission raised several questions about what “bumping” might mean in light of a Citywide labor reduction, and in light of the fact that agencies differ sharply in the number of their General Fund positions. In response to a question about the Street Artists Program, which is self-funded by fees paid by the artists, Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar reported that the number of artists has actually increased from 390 to 434. He explained that it is an opportunity for self-employment when people are laid off or find their hours cut back at a job.
   
   Mr. Cancel reported that the Arts Commission would partner with the San Francisco Foundation, the Arts Forum and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to host renowned arts economist Jeremy Nowak on January 12, 2009 for a discussion with the arts community on the impact of the economic downturn. Mr. Cancel explained that he had heard Mr. Nowak at the Grantmakers in the Arts conference in Atlanta in October. His hope for the upcoming event was to convene a conversation within the local arts community on how the economic impacts could be ameliorated.
   
   Mr. Cancel reported that the Gallery would open an exhibition produced in partnership with Wolfgang’s Vault on January 13, 2009. The show features hundreds of vintage music posters, and he invited everyone to the opening. He noted that the Gallery had received a private donation of $3,500 specifically to help raise the visibility of the Bill Fontana exhibition; that show is still shy about $8,000 to $10,000 to help with public outreach and a fitting reception. The San Francisco Examiner has been requested to donate printing of the accompanying handout, but they have not made a final decision.
   
   Finally, he noted that the collaboration with SFGTV is progressing, with several shows underway, covering the Mayor’s Art Award and Alonzo King, as well as announcements of cultural events. He praised Gallery Director Meg Shiffler for her work with SFGTV. Upcoming projects include segments on the Arts Festival collection at the San Francisco Airport, the newly-installed Language of the Birds, and Maya Lin’s Earth Day.
   
   
   
5. Consent Calendar
   President Johnston severed item 3 from the Consent Calendar, approval of minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of December 22, 2008, because the minutes had not been distributed; and he severed item 4 from the Consent Calendar, regarding Arts & Communities: Innovative Partnerships grants, for further discussion.
   
   The Commission approved the remaining Consent Calendar as follows.
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-002:
   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. 0105-09-003: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2008.
      
      
   2. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-004: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education, and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2008.
      
      
      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (December 15 , 2008)
   3. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-005: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Geneva Historic Car Enclosure.
      
      
   4. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-006: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Tesla Treatment Facility.
      
      
   5. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-007: Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Ortega Branch Library.
      
      
   6. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-008: Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Merced Branch Library with the contingency that the landscape design be revised and presented before the Phase 3 review.
      
      
   7. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-009: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Golden Gate Valley Branch Library.
      
      
6. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
   1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      1. President Johnston made no further report, saying that the President’s Report and the Director’s Report had covered the Committee’s activities.
         
         
   2. Civic Design Review Committee—Cass Calder Smith, Chair
      1. Before Commissioner Smith began his report, President Johnston commented that he was pleased to see the Committee’s direction under the leadership of Commissioner Smith, who noted the good rapport of the Committee and inquired about when the vacant architect’s seat might be filled. President Johnston replied that several names have been submitted to the Mayor’s office.
         
         Commissioner Smith reported that the Committee reviewed Bayview Opera House improvements, noting that this was one of several projects that the Committee finds not to have been conceptually well-developed. The Committee wishes to keep the project moving and expects to address conceptual development in its next review phase, and Commissioners Delaney and Bihan will meet with the design team. He also said that the Committee and staff are discussing the addition of a requirement that a paragraph about the concept of the project be included in the submission.
         
         Commissioner Smith reported that the Committee reviewed several other projects. On the Geneva Historic Car Enclosure, they requested further development of the concept for the enclosure; it should better represent what it does. The Committee largely approved the Tesla Treatment Facility and the Ortega, Merced and Golden Gate Valley Branch Libraries, directing them to improve their landscaping plans. At Golden Gate, the Committee appreciated architect Paulett Taggart’s sensitivity to saving street trees, but in this case felt that it actually would be better to remove a few.
         
         
         
   3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Maya Draisin, Chair
      1. Commissioner García-Nakata recused herself from this discussion and the vote on the Committee’s motions below.
         
         Vice President Draisin reported that the Committee devoted a great deal of time to grants, and was glad to be able to restore the cuts. She thought it was very useful to have presentations at the meeting by the artists and groups being funded. She also said that Cultural Equity Grants Program Director San San Wong reported on the Creative Capacity Fund, and will present her report to the full Commission at a future meeting.
         
         Vice President reported that the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center made a presentation; director Pam Wu is resigning and Vinay Patel will serve as interim director. The Committee is very concerned about this Center, finding its reporting unsatisfactory and noting that the community is questioning whether it should continue in its current form or perhaps seek fiscal sponsorship instead. She said that the Center will return for further reporting.
         
         In response to a question, Vice President Draisin reported that SomArts had a new director, Lex Leifheit, who appeared before the Committee at its previous meeting.
         
         Vice President Draisin presented the following motions. The motions were passed unanimously, with Commissioner García-Nakata abstaining.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-010: Motion to approve the following individuals as grants application review panelists for Cultural Equity Grants:
         
         Kerry Adams-Hapner, Director of Cultural Affairs, City of San José
         Rob Bailis, Director, ODC Theater
         Brad Erickson, Executive Director, Theatre Bay Area
         Sabrina Motley, Vice President, Vesper Society
         Villy Wang, Executive Director,Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology
         Charles Ward, Development Director, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
         Vanessa Whang, Director of Programs, California Council for the Humanities
         
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-011: Motion to amend Resolution No. 1201-08-303 by increasing the amounts of three grants from a total of $279,000 to $300,000 in the 2008-2009 cycle of Cultural Equity Initiative Level Two grants to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each for the amounts listed:
         
         Fresh Meat Productions, $100,000
         ABADA Capoeira San Francisco, $100,000
         Dance Brigade, $100,000
         
         
      4. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-012: Motion to approve recommendations to award sixteen grants totaling $347,550 in the 2008-2009 cycle of Arts & Communities: Innovative Partnerships grants to the following organizations and individual artists, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each for the amounts listed:
         
         Brava Theater Center/Brava! For Women in the Arts, $32,100
         Chinatown Community Development Center, $27,500
         Croatian American Cultural Center, $27,500
         Eth-Noh-Tec, $8,510
         Flyaway Productions, $32,100
         Galería de la Raza, $32,100
         Genryu Arts, $8,080
         H.O.M.E.Y., $8,150
         Imagine Bus Project, $8,510
         Kularts, $9,450
         Mary Jean Robertson, $9,450
         OutLook Theater Project, $35,000
         Paul Flores, $35,000
         Raissa Simpson, $8,000
         Rupa Marya, $32,100
         Seventh Native American Generation, $34,000
         
         
   4. Street Artists Committee—Alexander Lloyd, Chair
      1. In the absence of Commissioner Lloyd, President Johnston reported that the Committee did not meet, and he recalled Mr. Lazar’s earlier comment that the number of artists in the program had increased.
         
         President Johnston presented the following motion.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-013: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Jamison Christianson, Dustin Rankin.
         
         
   5. Visual Arts Committee—Jeannene Przyblyski, Chair
      1. Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee was unable to meet for lack of a quorum.
         
         She reported that she, Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and California Academy of Sciences Director Gregory Farrington had met with artist Maya Lin in December; they are excited about Ms. Lin’s video project for the East Wing of the Academy.
         
         She reported that the Transbay Terminal project is moving along, and that Patricia’s Green, which is becoming an important location for temporary artwork, now has Tony Labat’s Big Peace IV through June, 2009.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski asked Public Art Deputy Program Director Susan Pontious to present proposals for San Francisco Airport Terminal Two. This presentation would ordinarily have been made at the Committee meeting, but because of the rapid pace of the project, the artworks had to be approved within the first week of January.
         
         Ms. Pontious began by explaining that this fast-tracked design-build project encompasses the gutting of the old international terminal and remaking it into a domestic terminal, with Virgin America as the primary tenant. She said that the proposals affect structural aspects of the building.
         
         Ms. Pontious presented the proposal of Kendall Buster, to be installed at the pedestrian overpass. She said that Ms. Buster’s work typically uses shadecloth stretched over a steel armature to create transparent organic sculptures. This piece will be visible from a great distance; from certain angles it will be very visible, and from other angles, nearly invisible.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski interjected that the proposed artwork has already been reviewed by the selection panel and by the Airport Art Steering Committee.
         
         In response to a question, Ms. Pontious explained that a grid of airplane cables was a part of the design.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski respectfully advised the Commission that the pieces being presented have already gone through a long process of development, and that at this stage, approval would ordinarily be more pro forma. She said that Ms. Buster is working very closely with Gensler, which has an overarching theme for the project. She explained that there is a great deal of oversight on the project.
         
         Ms. Pontious noted that the full Commission had already approved the overall budget for the project, and that it was very far along in the process to make changes. She further noted that she would need to meet with the artist to finalize the attachment points the following day.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski reiterated that this would have been a Consent Calendar item if the Committee had been able to meet. She explained that the three projects are now in the conceptual design stage, and that they will come back to the Committee several more times for further development.
         
         At the request of the Commission, Ms. Pontious gave a brief overview of the T2 project, explaining that there are three major artworks proposed, at sites suggested by Gensler as part of their design. One is the glass entry façade, which will be the first major artwork there visible from outside the airport. The second, Kendall Buster’s is in a public area entering the new terminal, and the third, beginning just past the security check-in, is a “recompose” area narrowing to a retail corridor, then opening up to a gateroom. Sculptor Janet Echelman is proposing a piece extending throughout this space. There is also a children’s area, where two artists from the Exploratorium, Walter Kitundu and Charles Sowers, are proposing artworks.
         
         Ms. Pontious explained that many artworks in the collection will be reinstalled, including tapestries by Mark Adams and paintings by Joan Brown and other artists. Sculptures by Arnaldo Pomodoro and Rufino Tamayo will be restored and reinstalled.
         
         President Johnston respectfully requested that the Commission approve the motions in order to keep the projects moving, and suggested a fuller informational presentation to the whole Commission at an upcoming meeting.
         
         Commissioner Przyblyski presented the following motions, noting for the record that Charles Sowers is a local artist.
         
         Finally, Commissioner Przyblyski praised the work of Public Art Program Manager Judy Moran with artist Eric Powell on the Ingleside Branch Library. Commissioner García-Nakata added that, as an Ingleside resident, she was really happy to see the artwork in her community.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-014: Motion to approve an honorarium in the amount of $1200 to artist Gigi Janchang for her site specific artwork at the Grove Street installation site. Her exhibition opens February 13, 2009.
         
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-015: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 1201-08-296 to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Janet Echelman for an amount not to exceed $244,000 for Phase I, conceptual design through construction documents, for an artwork at Terminal Two of San Francisco International Airport.
         
         
      4. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-016: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Janet Echelman for an amount not to exceed $276,750 for Phase I, conceptual design through construction documents, for an artwork at Terminal Two of San Francisco International Airport.
         
         
      5. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-017: Motion to approve a proposal by Kendall Buster for San Francisco International Airport and authorization for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $500,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install the artwork.
         
         
      6. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-018: Motion to approve a proposal by Charles Sowers for San Francisco International Airport and authorization of the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $100,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install the artwork.
         
         
      7. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-019: Motion to approve a proposal by Walter Kitundu for San Francisco International Airport and authorization of the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $100,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install the artwork.
         
         
      8. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-020: Motion to approve the final artwork design for a metal wall sculpture by Eric Powell for the Ingleside Branch Library and to authorize the artist to proceed to fabrication and installation of the artwork.
         
         
      9. RESOLUTION NO. 0105-09-021: Motion to approve a $1,000 increase in Eric Powell’s compensation amount for contract #POAR05000217, to design, fabricate and install an artwork for the Ingleside Branch Library, to cover the costs of preparing additional proposals, for a total new contract budget amount of $37,000.
         
         
7. New Business
   There was no new business.
   
   
8. Reports and Announcements
   There were no reports or announcements.
   
   
9. Public Comment
   There was no further public comment.
   
   
10. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
    

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