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City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

Meeting Information



Full_Commission

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MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, November 6, 2006
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
    Andrea Cochran
    Leonard Hunter
    John Kriken
    Alexander Lloyd
    Janice Mirikitani
    Jeannene Przyblyski
    Lawrence Rinder
    Dede Wilsey

    Commissioners Absent
    José Cuellar
    Maya Draisin
    Beverly Prior
    Pop Zhao
    M. Sue Lee

  2. Approval of Minutes
    The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
    RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-196: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
    RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Meeting of September 11, 2006.

    NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

  3. President’s Report
    President Johnston announced the upcoming Gallery fundraiser on November 9, and introduced Gallery Director Meg Shiffler to discuss it. She explained that this was the first year for a Gallery print award, which went to Ala Ebtekar, a previous winner of the Murphy & Cadogan award. The artist worked with Trillium Press to print a limited edition of fifteen.

    President Johnston thanked her, remarking that this event was always a good party. He reminded the Commissioners that their participation was an important statement even beyond its financial impact.

    He commented on the Mayor's recent State of the City address, noting that the Mayor’s office continues to turn a keen eye toward the arts. He congratulated Arts Education Officer Rachelle Axel, Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff, Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth, and the rest of the staff on the successful launch of the widely praised Arts Education Master Plan.

    President Johnston noted that Commissioners had received a copy of the spending plan for the supplemental funds passed by the Board of Supervisors. He described the funding as the result of long discussions and a complex political environment with many participants, including the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the Arts Task Force. He explained that the Executive Committee met to discuss the plan, and he thanked Mr. Newirth for all of his work in crafting it. He emphasized that although he was willing to sever it from the consent calendar for separate discussion, it was important for the Commission to act on the plan at this meeting.

  4. Director’s Report
    Mr. Newirth thanked President Johnston for his support, and thanked senior staff for their effort and their good ideas.

    He reiterated the invitation to the Gallery’s fundraiser on November 9. He announced the dedication of the Juvenile Justice Center on the morning of the same date, with quite a bit of public art. And he announced the November 20 rededication of Valencia Gardens, with the return of the much-loved Bufano animal sculptures.

    Mr. Newirth announced that Melissa Hung has been hired as the new WritersCorps Program Associate. He congratulated Ms. Shiffler on the success of the Murphy and Cadogan show. He reported that the search for a new Cultural Equity Grants Program Director was continuing, and that it was important to find the right person.

    He reported on the State of the City address and the Arts Education Master Plan press conference, where President Johnston was one of the speakers. He agreed that it was a great event, with everyone celebrating that success.

    He explained that several years ago, a public-private collaboration was undertaken to renovate the Fountain of the Tortoises. Recently, the Nob Hill Association and the Department of Recreation and Parks reached an agreement that transfers all interest in the Fountain to the Arts Commission, and provides a stipend for regular upkeep with a pool service contract.

    He was pleased to announce that Jenny Louie, former Arts Commission staff member, is now the Arts Commission's budget analyst in the Mayor’s office.

    Mr. Newirth announced that the Conservatory of Music is now open, with its official dedication scheduled for November 13. He observed that they are very active in the neighborhood and have transformed the block for the better.

  5. Consent Calendar
    Item 38 was severed from the Consent Calendar for discussion; the remaining items were approved as follows.

    RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-197
    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. 1106-06-198: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2006.

    2. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-199: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2006.

    3. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-200: Motion to approve the Street Artists Committee Meeting Minutes of September 13, 2006.

    4. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-201: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of September 18, 2006.

    5. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-202: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Special Meeting Minutes of September 29, 2006.

    6. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-203: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2006.

    7. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-204: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2006.

    8. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-205: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of October 18, 2006.

      Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Recommendations (September 12, 2006)
    9. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-206: Motion to approve payment to the War Memorial to support the Third Annual Arts Education Resource Fair in an amount not exceeding $2,500 from Youth Arts Fund.

    10. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-207: Motion to approve payment to the San Francisco Foundation Community Initiatives Fund for an arts education intern not to exceed $6,500 from Youth Arts Fund.

      Street Artists Committee Recommendations (September 13, 2006)
    11. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-208: Motion to approve proposal by Street Artists Program Director for Board of Supervisors designation of temporary winter holiday selling spaces for street artists in the Downtown area and at Harvey Milk Plaza; designation for November 15, 2006 through January 15, 2007.

      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (September 18, 2006)
    12. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-209: Motion to approve Hamilton Pool and Recreation Center—Phase 1, contingent upon further review of the North and South Façades.

    13. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-210: Motion to approve Mount Davidson Pump Station Project—Phase 2.

    14. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-211: Motion to approve Pipeline Repair and Readiness Project, Phase B at Sunol—Phase 1.

      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (September 29, 2006)
    15. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-212: Motion to approve a change of material for Irene Pijoan’s fence panels for SOMA Park, from painted aluminum to unpainted marine grade stainless steel, based on conservator’s recommendations for long-term conservation.

    16. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-213: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection Cliffs at Land’s End (2003), Bay Area Foothills (2003) and Marin Headlands (2004), three fabric collages on linen (53" x 67" framed) by Merle Axelrad Serlin, for installation at Laguna Honda Hospital.

    17. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-214: Motion to approve an increase in the contract with David Perry and Associates for providing promotional consultation for the Third Street Light Rail Art Enrichment Program from an original contract amount of $4,500 to a new total amount not to exceed $10,000, for providing additional consultation related to the Art on Market Street Program.

    18. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-215: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of San Francisco regarding the siting of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade monument on Port property.

    19. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-216: Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Mission Housing and the San Francisco Housing Authority regarding the loan of eight Bufano sculptures to Valencia Gardens.

    20. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-217: Motion to reject the proposal for artwork by Michael Stutz for Laguna Honda Hospital.

    21. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-218: Motion to approve the preliminary proposal by the artist team of Reddy Lieb and Linda Raynsford for an artwork for the new Glen Park Library and to approve the artist team to proceed with design development.

    22. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-219: Motion to approve Brian Goggin’s conceptual design for The Language of Birds, to be located at the intersection of Broadway and Columbus Streets, and to direct staff to work expeditiously to come up with funding scenarios within one month.

      Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Recommendations (October 10, 2006)
    23. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-220: Motion to approve recommendations to award three grants of $100,000 each to Flyaway Productions, the National Japanese American Historical Society and Golden Thread Productions, in the 2006-2007 cycle of Cultural Equity Initiatives—Level Two, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreement with each.

      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (October 16, 2006)
    24. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-221: Motion to approve the Ingleside Branch Library Phase 2 contingent upon further review of the final environmental graphics plan.

    25. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-222: Motion to approve the Potrero Branch Library Phase 2.

    26. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-223: Motion to approve the Alemany Pump Station Upgrades Phase 2.

    27. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-224: Motion to approve the Palo Alto Pump Station Phase 2.

    28. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-225: Motion to approve the Broadway Streetscape Phase II, not including the suspended artwork, Phase 2.

    29. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-226: Motion to approve the Richmond Branch Library Administrative Phase 3.

      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (October 18, 2006)
    30. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-227: Motion to approve the design by Alexander MacLeitch for a sculpture (revised per Arts Commissioners’ recommendations) to be located on the sidewalk at the Patson Building at 275 Sacramento.

    31. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-228: Motion to approve the concrete integral color samples proposed by artist Vicki Saulls to be used in the fabrication of a sea turtle sculpture, a pelican sculpture and three hermit crab sculptures for the Koret Children’s Quarters.

    32. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-229: Motion to approve the temporary loan of the jewelry collection, in part or in whole, to the San Francisco International Airport Museums program for exhibition, under terms to be negotiated by Arts Commission staff with the Airport.

    33. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-230: Motion to approve replacement plaque design for the Leonidas sculpture in the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse.

    34. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-231: Motion to approve selection of Diane Hall and Ann Gardner as an alternate from whom art will be commissioned and/or purchased for the L1 level of the East Residence building, with the option to include the purchase and/or commissioning of artwork for the West Residence Building, should it be constructed.

    35. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-232: Motion to approve the selection panel’s recommendation of the following three candidates and one alternate to develop proposals for the Joseph Lee Recreation Center Public Art Project and to approve the payment of a $750 honorarium to each of the finalists: Ripe Collaborative (Artist Team of Walter Kitundu, Philip Ross, and Adriane Colburn), Amana Johnson, and Diana Pumpelly Bates, or the alternate, Laurel True.

    36. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-233: Motion to approve the following pool of potential panelists for artist selection for the Secure Connector at San Francisco International Airport: Hung Liu, artist; Ned Kahn, artist; Daniell Cornell, curator; Squeak Carnwath, artist; Constance Lewallen, curator; Wang Po Shu, artist; Hilda Shum, artist; Linda Geary, artist; Kota Ezawa, artist; and Enrique Chagoya, artist.

  6. Executive Committee Recommendations (November 6, 2006)
    Commissioner Przyblyski said that she would like a vigorous discussion of the proposed spending plan by the full Commission, even though it was discussed by the Executive Committee.

    President Johnston explained that the document is a spending plan, not a budget, and that it encapsulates ideas thoroughly discussed by the Commission over several months.

    Commissioner Rinder thanked Mr. Newirth for putting the document together. He echoed Commissioner Przyblyski’s preference for more discussion of budget issues in general at the full Commission meetings.

    President Johnston explained that the budget begins to take shape at the beginning of the calendar year, and that early drafts produced by Mr. Newirth and Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar are reviewed by the Executive Committee. He said that they could be brought to the full Commission as well, and requested staff to do so.

    Mr. Newirth explained that the supplemental allocation was specifically intended for community arts programs. He brainstormed with senior staff about how to expand existing community arts programs in ways that cross boundaries and have significant impact. His sense of the major need was to support access to, and the creation and sustenance of, programs reaching the general public of the city, so that anyone who wants to participate in an arts project can do so in his or her own neighborhood. The focus is on supporting artists working in the community, rather than enhancing the existing funding for nonprofit arts organizations.

    He met with Supervisor Ammiano’s office and members of the Arts Task Force, and has held ongoing meetings with the Deputy Director, staff from Grants for the Arts and the Chair of the Arts Task Force regarding administrative issues and proposals. He presented this spending plan to the Mayor and got a very positive response.

    He went on to discuss the six proposals contained in the spending plan, explaining the logic and the genesis of each. He gave examples of what each proposal would accomplish, what opportunities they would allow the Arts Commission to take advantage of, and how they benefit from and foster collaboration between City departments, and between the City and the community. He pointed out that this spending plan is not a specific distribution of funds, and that there will be a motion presented for approval by the Commission for specific expenditures of funds envisioned by the plan.

    President Johnston said that he felt strongly that this is a good way to start putting into action ideas long discussed by the Commission.

    Commissioners held a spirited discussion of the spending plan, expressing both enthusiasm about the proposals and concern that they may be over-ambitious, or create unreasonable expectations in other stakeholders. Mr. Newirth and President Johnston explained that all of the figures in the plan are estimates, and that Commissioners should expect some revisions. They reiterated that specific expenditures will come to the full Commission individually for a vote.

    Commissioners also discussed the conundrum of this as a one-time allocation of funds which is intended to create ongoing changes. They emphasized the importance of producing substantive and visible results to lay the groundwork for continued funding.

    President Johnston urged Commissioners to approve the plan, pointing out that none of the funds could be used, even for the most urgent and non-controversial needs, until the Commission gave its approval for the general direction. He also reminded Commissioners that the document reflects the priorities of the Arts Commission as the arts agency for all of the people of San Francisco, while acknowledging the interests of various constituencies. Mr. Newirth agreed to provide regular updates on the implementation of the plan, and that, if necessary, it could be revised after a couple of months.

    Commissioner Przyblyski moved to adopt the plan with the understanding that there will be monthly reports, and that the Commission can revisit the plan. President Johnston seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.

    RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-234: Motion to approve spending plan for 2006-2007 for one million dollars added to the Arts Commission budget for community arts programming.

  7. Committee Reports
    1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      1. President Johnston made no report in light of the late hour and the extensive discussion of the preceding motion.

    2. Civic Design Review Committee—Andrea Cochran, Chair
      1. Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee had desperately missed Commissioner Cochran at its last meeting. In light of the late hour, she noted that the Committee’s minutes reflected most of its activities, so she would abbreviate her report. She added that Commissioner Prior had raised the topic of developing stronger relationships with City agencies who design the City’s buildings, streetscape, etc.

    3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—José Cuellar, Chair
      1. In the absence of Commissioner Cuellar, President Johnston reported that the Committee had discussed at great length the most pressing issues at the Cultural Centers.

    4. Street Artists Committee—Alex Lloyd, Chair
      1. In light of the late hour, Commissioner Lloyd gave no report, and presented the following motions:

      2. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-235: Motion to approve former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Tina Jamison, Xiao Ying Zhang.

      3. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-236: Motion to approve honorarium payment of $300 plus cost of paint to Mario Hernandez for assisting Program Director in painting relocated permanent Market Street spaces adjacent to Westfield complex and in painting permanent spaces and temporary winter holiday spaces in the Downtown area.

    5. Visual Arts Committee—Jeannene Przyblyski, Chair
      1. Commissioner Przyblyski again referred the Commissioners to the Committee’s minutes. She said that Committee is looking forward to a report on the Civic Art Collection at its next meeting. She presented the following motion, explaining that the scope of the project has increased, with participation in a public-private partnership; funding is in place.

      2. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-06-237: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Brian Goggin for an amount not to exceed $65,000 for design, fabrication and installation of a minimum of eleven illuminated book sculptures for Broadway Streetscape contingent upon necessary approvals by other City agencies.

  8. New Business
    There was no new business.

  9. Reports and Announcements
    There were no other reports or announcements.

  10. Public Comment
    There was no other public comment.

  11. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.

    11/30/06 spr