Full_Commission
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, August 3, 2009
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
Minutes
President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston, President
Maya Draisin, Vice President
Leo Chow
Amy Chuang
Topher Delaney
Lorraine García-Nakata
Cass Calder Smith
Sherri Young
Commissioners Absent
René Bihan
Nínive Calegari
John Calloway
Sherene Melania
Ron Miguel, ex officio
- Approval of Minutes
RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-186: Motion to approve June 1, 2009 Minutes.
- President’s Report
President Johnston began by thanking the Commissioners for their participation, noting that it is often difficult in the summer to make a quorum, and this is a particularly tough time with the resignation of three Commissioners. He added that confusion over the new disclosure requirements affects all of the Commissioners. He thought the problem was not particularly that the Arts Commission will now be held to a higher level of disclosure than other similar commissions, but that the change occurred midyear, and with so little notice. With three Commissioners leaving the Visual Arts Committee, it is impossible to reach a quorum, and City projects are likely to be stalled. President Johnston reported that he is working with Mr. Cancel and with the Mayor to fill the vacancies quickly.
President Johnston emphasized the importance of attendance at the full Commission meetings, particularly in the coming months. While it is true that the bulk of the Commission’s work is done in the Committee meetings, the full Commission must approve any actions or decisions, and must take up Committee matters when they are unable to meet for lack of a quorum, as exemplified by the Committee report items on this meeting’s agenda.
President Johnston announced that the September meeting has been rescheduled for September 10, and will be held at 25 Van Ness. Department of Human Resources staff, currently training Arts Commission staff on strategic planning, is scheduled to work with the Commission at that meeting.
- Director’s Report
Mr. Cancel reported with sadness that, as many likely read over the weekend, Commissioners Dede Wilsey, Alex Lloyd and Jeannene Przyblyski had resigned. He praised their generosity with their time and their sage advice, and said that they would be greatly missed.
Turning to the budget, Mr. Cancel said that the Board of Supervisors had given their final approval, and that the Mayor was expected to sign the final budget shortly. Mr. Cancel thanked the Mayor and the Board for recognizing that support for the arts in this difficult time is crucial for tourism, and ensures the rebound of Hotel Tax income. He explained that an addback to the budget meant that Cultural Equity Grants, originally targeted for a reduction of $572,000, would be cut by only $189,000. This is still a significant blow to the cultural community supported by these grants. Finally, he reported that there were no cuts to the Cultural Centers’ funding.
Mr. Cancel reported that at its upcoming meeting, the Redevelopment Agency expected to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between itself, the Mexican Museum, and the Arts Commission to grant $250,000 to the Museum through the Arts Commission as fiduciary. He explained that the Museum has very stringent goals to meet before they can receive incremental payments. Initial requirements include a thorough fiscal audit, as well as milestones in reforming governance and improving collection maintenance.
Mr. Cancel reported that twenty-four of the Arts Commission staff had participated in the first strategic planning session with Department of Human Resources training staff Teri Jourgensen and Amy Lilley, and most reported that they were energized and looking forward to shaping the future direction of the agency. Mr. Cancel explained that the next phase would engage the Commissioners. At the Commission’s meeting on September 10, he hoped to finish with the consent calendar quickly and to use the remainder of the time for strategic planning. The plan calls for outreach to the broader community at a public meeting in October, with the goal of submitting the final strategic plan to the Commission by November or December.
Mr. Cancel reported that the African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”) was finishing up its renovations and expected to hold a ribbon-cutting on August 13. The renovations included extensive work on the ground floor and modifications for ADA compliance. He reported that Bayview Opera House was set to begin major renovations in March, 2010, including upgrades to the grounds and the plaza, and ADA upgrades to the interior. He added that this was the fruit of years of hard work by staff in close cooperation with the Opera House board and the community.
Mr. Cancel reported that Bill Fontana’s sound installation in the City Hall Rotunda, Spiraling Echoes, has been extended through December 11. Mr. Fontana will receive two major awards, the Prix Ars Electronica in Austria, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s Bay Area Treasure award. Mr. Cancel observed that the City Hall installation by this internationally known artist helped remind his hometown of the significance of his work.
Mr. Cancel announced that, after twenty years, Public Art Project Manager Tonia Macneil will retire at the end of August. He noted that she had facilitated a great number of exemplary public artworks at sites around the city, including the Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center, the Harvey Milk Recreation Center, Junipero Serra Clubhouse, and many others. Each work gives its site a unique identity, and the artworks have become embedded in and beloved by their communities. Mr. Cancel highlighted TheLanguage of the Birds, which was recognized by Americans for the Arts as one of the best public artworks of 2008. He explained that Ms. Macneil worked hard, developing an extraordinary support from other City agencies to make the artwork a reality. He praised her as a valued member of our community and staff, and to general applause, he expressed the gratitude of the Arts Commission, the staff and the City for her service. President Johnston echoed the sentiment, adding that it has been a pleasure to work with Ms. Macneil.
- Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-187:
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
Approval of Committee Minutes
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-188: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2009.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-189: Motion to approve the Street Artists Committee Meeting Minutes of July 8, 2009.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-190: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of July 14, 2009.
Street Artists Committee Recommendations (July 8, 2009)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-191: Motion to approve election procedure for five (5) members of Street Artists Liaison Committee.
Community Arts, Education, and Grants Committee Recommendations (July 14, 2009)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-192: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the following teaching artists to work in the WritersCorps program for 2009-2010:
Milta Ortiz, $37,000
Cindy Je, $37,000
Myron Michael Hardy, $37,000
Martha Aracely Gonzalez, $37,000
Judith Tannenbaum, $59,000
Neelanjana Banerjee, $33,000
Carrie Leilam Love, $33,000
Richard D’Elia, $33,000
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-193: Motion to approve the proposed 2009-2010 Management and Program Plan and budget for the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, for a grant not to exceed $526,067, contingent upon completion of revisions and submissions.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-194: Motion to approve the proposed 2009-2010 Management and Program Plan and budget for Queer Cultural Center for a total grant to SOMArts for sub-grantee Queer Cultural Center not to exceed $96,974, contingent upon completion of revisions and submissions.
Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (July 20, 2009)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-195: Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 of the Harding Park Recycled Water Project.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-196: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Sunset Playground Renovation Project with the contingency that the landscape plan be revised for Phase 2 submittal.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-197: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Visitacion Valley Branch Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-198: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Anza Branch Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-199: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Ortega Branch Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-200: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Merced Branch Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-201: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Hayes Valley Playground.
- Committee Reports and Committee Matters
- Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
- President Johnston noted that the Director’s report covered the Committee’s strategic planning discussion. He reported that discussions with the Mayor’s office about the Mayor’s Art Award are continuing, and said that he would have more to report at the next meeting.
- Civic Design Review Committee—Cass Calder Smith, Chair
- Commissioner Smith reported that the Committee did not review any major projects. He said that there is some concern in some departments that the Committee is not approving their projects as quickly as they would like. The Committee is holding projects to a consistent standard, and hoping to clarify the review procedures for applicants.
- Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Maya Draisin, Chair
- Vice President Draisin reported that the Committee had a very full agenda at its last meeting. Director of Programs San San Wong gave a very informative presentation about the granting process. Vice President Draisin reported that the Committee was very excited about the upcoming launch of the Art in Storefronts program, and were pleased to learn that WritersCorps would have more teachers.
She reported that the Committee was very impressed with the presentation by Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, and was sorry to see that the Queer Cultural Center was unable to attend the meeting. The Committee reiterated that the Cultural Centers should understand that their funding is not automatic.
Vice President Draisin reported that Commissioner Young discussed an incident she had heard about at Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”), and that many allegations had been made. The Committee considered this a personnel matter to be handled by the Opera House’s Board of Directors. The Committee learned that the Board has reviewed the matter, and the Committee stands with the Board on its decision.
President Johnston cautioned that personnel matters are sensitive, and warned against discussing specific individuals.
Commissioner Young explained that the Committee was leaving the matter up to the Opera House leadership to handle, and that they have the opportunity to meet with Arts Commission staff. She added that she hoped the Opera House would come together to do what is best for the community.
President Johnston said that he has worked on issues related to the Cultural Centers for many years. He clarified that the leadership of the Center is the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization which runs the Center, while the Arts Commission’s role is landlord and principal funder. He emphasized that the Commission does not have direct control over operations, although it does have considerable influence, and an oversight role, which it has exercised more actively in recent years. He noted that this has improved the situation at the Centers, though it is not perfect. He added that as a City agency working with the nonprofits, the Commission must be diligent in managing the purse strings, its responsibilities as landlord, and its responsibility to the communities.
President Johnston called for public comment.
Dorothy Peterson said that the Opera House had been her fiscal sponsor in presenting the Wellness Expo for eleven years, and that one of their responsibilities was to meet with sponsored groups and let them know what is in their accounts. She asserted that since 2007, she had been unable to sit down with the Director or the Board to review the Wellness Expo’s accounts, and she urged the Commission to force them to meet with her. She alleged that she is owed at least $18,000, and she had made many phone calls and appeared twice before the Board. She said that she loves the Opera House and its community, where she lives. She thought that the Director should step down, and alleged that there may have been an oversight in the beginning, but she now thought there was theft.
Kristi Black-Solwazi said that she had just learned that she had been terminated. She said that financial reports must be auditable and easy to read, and she alleged that the Opera House’s profit and loss statements and its 990s contained inaccurate information. She said that she had reported these findings to the Opera House Board in committee, and that the President had interrupted her report and cancelled the full Board meeting. She said that until now she had been on paid administrative leave, employed up until today, but was now terminated. She argued that this was not a personnel issue, but an issue of accountability. She said that she had been a bookkeeper for ten years, and had worked in administration and programming. She said that she had never seen an organization in such disarray. She thought that the Arts Commission had a responsibility to step in and believed that money was being wasted. She said that one-third of the allocation went to one person’s salary, and that this was inappropriate.
Gerald Joseph, of the Opera House Board, read a statement from the Board. The statement explained that since 2007, BVOH has been trying to rebuild itself, and has met its 2008-2009 goals. Although there is still much work to be done, the Board believes the organization is stronger and more active than it has been in many years. The Board does not believe the figures in Ms. Black’s documents are correct, and they have been working with CompassPoint to strengthen procedures. The Board believes that Mr. Grigg’s salary is set in the middle range for comparable positions, and he has never been paid a dollar beyond his salary.
Barbara Ockel, Chair of the Opera House Board since 2008, thanked the Arts Commission for its support. She assured the Commission that the Opera House is not “imploding,” and that money is not being wasted. She explained that she has been a resident of the Bayview since 1984, and has had a studio in the area since 1993. She said that she had become a citizen last year, and decided to give something back to the country where she has lived for the past 35 years. She said that once she set up a studio in the shipyard, she wanted to make connections with the community, and she wants to make the Opera House a very vibrant community center. She mentioned her work with Bayview artist Malik Seneferu, and reiterated her commitment to the center.
Sala-Haquekyah Chandler said that she has been working in the community for 28 years, and is a present-day Harriet Tubman performer. She called the situation at the Opera House “a shame and a disgrace.” She described Ms. Black-Solwazi’s work as “phenomenal.” She said that parents are being overlooked, and she praised Vivian Ellis’s program. She said that she didn’t know Vernon Grigg, that he didn’t have a relationship with the community, and she charged that “a great evil” is occurring. She said that Ms. Black-Solwazi has a relationship with the community, and that Mr. Grigg shouldn’t have dismissed her. She said that the Arts Commission, as the landlord, will be held responsible, and that an investigation should begin immediately.
Regina Davis said that she is the developer of the San Francisco Housing Development across the street from the Opera House. She said that she knows what it takes to run a nonprofit in these difficult times. She said she hoped to elevate the discussion. She said that the Opera House, the nearby School District site and the Joseph Lee Recreation Center are underutilized. Citing the 2006 redevelopment plan, she said that the Opera House should be the town center. She said that people are calling for the facilities to stop operating in silos, observing that the Opera House is operating without classrooms 150 steps away from classrooms being used for storage. She mentioned funds being invested by the Arts Commission and the School District, arguing that this is an opportunity to turn a $13 million investment into an economic engine. She said that her position is supported by Supervisor Maxwell.
Michael Brown echoed Ms. Davis’s comments, asking why so much money was going to nonprofits while kids are dying in the streets. He said that the City had done a lot at Sharon Art Studio, but that there had been nothing for (Bayview) youth until a recent hip-hop show. He agreed that the Bayview Opera House was underutilized. He said that hip-hop is the recreation of Bayview kids. He urged the Commission to get funding from Trent Rhorer, saying that the Ocean View/Merced Heights/Ingleside (“OMI”) neighborhood didn’t get $500,000 from the Department of Children, Youth and Families. He said that neighborhoods in the Avenues, Districts 11 and 10, should contribute to programs in the Bayview.
Walter Turner said that he would like to see the Opera House used for what it is, a theater of the arts, not for rap shows. He said that there was almost a murder at the event the preceding Saturday. He said that the Bayview youth were ignored until the were needed for a ragtime program at Harvey Milk, and that funding for the Bayview is “a drop in the bucket” compared to funding for other centers. He called for setting “our culture” in the Opera House, saying that the community center is the Joe Lee Gym across the street, not the Opera House. He said that he has been in the community for fifty-two years, and that his wife and daughter do drama classes at the Opera House; that’s what he thinks is needed.
London Breed, Executive Director of the African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”), spoke on behalf of Ms. Black, who had worked for AAACC for eight years. Ms. Breed said that Ms. Black was their bookkeeper and was promoted. She said that Ms. Black has integrity and has gone above and beyond. Ms. Breed said that BVOH deserves better, that Ms. Black understands all the reporting, as she had done it for Ms. Breed at AAACC. Ms. Breed was sure that Ms. Black had documentation for her claims, and thought there should be an investigation by the Controller’s office. Ms. Breed said that she loves BVOH, just as she loves AAACC, that something is wrong if the Opera House management can’t work with Ms. Black, and that we all lose. Ms. Breed said that Ms. Black is not political or vindictive.
Kevin Epps said that he was a resident of the Bayview, born and raised there. He said that he had held some events at the Opera House, which has always been a space for the community. He felt that over the last few years, it had not been receptive or open, and was not central to the conversation within the community. He hoped that the dialogue can move forward, and that open communication is needed. He said that the potential is unlimited, and asked the Commission to take a step further and hear out the initiatives and concerns raised without prejudging, and support the community.
Greg Doxey said that he was a member of the community, the Baptist Church, and of San Francisco Organizing Project (“SFOP”). He said that the Commission has a fiduciary responsibility, not a personnel responsibility. At the end of the day, he said, the question is money, and he called for the Commission to do an audit.
Denise Gomes said that she is a new resident of San Francisco, and that the Opera House was her chosen community center. She said that she was an African-American woman trying to find support, and thought responsibility and accountability were the biggest issues. She said that she had worked with foster youth in Alameda County. She thought there were no bylaws in place at the Opera House and that one person had sole power. She said that the Commission was responsible as the landlord, and called for an audit, bylaws and a greater voice for youth.
Walter Johnson said that he was not pleased to be at this meeting, that he had resigned from the Opera House board of directors the preceding Friday. He said that he had served as a probation officer in San Mateo County for twenty-three years, and had served on the Infinity Productions board as well. He said that he knew about best business practices and “old-fashioned ethics.” He said that he had visited the Arts Commission some months ago to discuss concerns about bad business practices at the Opera House. He alleged that the board president had appointed himself as CEO, in violation of Article 15, Section 2 of the bylaws, which he said prohibited any member of the board from receiving any of the net earnings or profit from earnings of the corporation. He said that he and other concerned friends of the Bayview Opera House demanded the eviction of the nonprofit and the suspension of all funding until a new board is in place.
Ms. Gutierrez said that she worked for the Department of Labor. She said that she had seen many nonprofits go through financial crises, and while she didn’t know all the particulars in this case, she said that suspending services when children need safe spaces is not good business practice. She said that it was important to put in place good practices, but suspending or stopping programs put young people in danger.
Felipe Paris introduced himself as Secretary of the Board of Directors of BVOH, and wanted to address some factual discrepancies. He said that the bylaws do allow the president of the board to serve as CEO. He explained that, as many people knew, the Opera House was in a deep crisis, and the board made the decision to allow the president to serve as CEO, and to allow him to be compensated. He said that they had chosen a president who devoted an extraordinary amount of time to prevent the Opera House from going under. He said that programming had not been stopped, that they were working with the YMCA, BMagic, and other organizations. He also cited the City Treasurer’s Bank on SF program, and a college-preparatory program for Bayview children. He wished to assure the community that in spite of all the controversy, the Opera House was open and programs were continuing, and they were open to public scrutiny.
Omar Khalife said “you don’t have to go home, but you’ve got to get out of here.” He requested that the Arts Commission evict the nonprofit from the Opera House, and eliminate affirmative action programming. He said the issue was not the quantity of programs, but the quality.
Gloria Berry said that she had served twelve years in the military, and had worked at San Quentin. She said that she lived in the Fillmore district, not in the Bayview. She thought that if programs were not of good quality, people would have too much free time on their hands. She said that although there are some art classes in prison, she would rather see people learning art in the cultural centers.
One speaker added that the Opera House board was Shelley Bell’s board.
Seeing no further public comment, President Johnston advised the Commission that since there was no motion on the floor, it was not appropriate to have further discussion. He added that staff has set up a number of required procedures and documents. He welcomed continued community attention and appreciated the comments.
- Street Artists Committee
- Commissioner Delaney reported that the Committee had held a lively meeting, and discussed a proposed committee of street artists to serve as a liaison with the staff and Commission.
President Johnston presented the following motions.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-202: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Sharon Tang, Rachelle Essandoh-Wing, Viviane Davilla, Erin Cowan, Larry Rosenbloom.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-203: Motion to approve request by applicant for waiver of 15-day policy in obtaining street artist certificate: Julian Dash.
- Visual Arts Committee
- President Johnston reported that this Committee report included many motions because the Committee had been unable to meet for lack of a quorum. He said that Commissioner García-Nakata would agree that these are ongoing projects, some large and some small, that the Committee has been tracking them closely and they would continue to do so. He added that Commissioners are involved in review panels for several projects. Finally, he said that Ms. Macneil would be missed.
President Johnston presented the following motions. In reference to item 7 below, the Art on Market Street project, President Johnston commented that the Committee found that, although the project originally submitted was not quite appropriate for a program funded by the Commission, the artist was incredibly gifted. The Committee requested a new proposal from artist Binh Danh, which was the subject of the current motion. President Johnston was very excited to see this re-envisioned project moving forward; Commissioner García-Nakata agreed.
Ms. Manton added that the motion approving an honorarium for artist Sheila Ghidini was to wrap up the contract with her, to pay her for work she has already done, since the initiating agency has now cancelled the project, and the corresponding art enrichment funds have disappeared.
President Johnston added that the General Hospital panels represent a great deal of work for the Commission.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-204: Motion for final approval and authorization of the final contract payment to artist Eric Powell for Ocean Current, the installed steel wall sculptural relief, approximately 28 feet long and 4 feet high, weighing approximately 400 pounds, with a curvilinear open design, bolted to the wall above bookshelves in the Main Reading Room of the Ingleside Branch Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-205: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection Ocean Current, the installed steel wall sculptural relief, approximately 28 feet long and 4 feet high, weighing approximately 400 pounds, with a curvilinear open design, bolted to the wall above bookshelves in the Main Reading Room of the Ingleside Branch Library by artist Eric Powell, commissioned for the San Francisco Public Library.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-206: Motion to approve a painted mural on four sides of the PUC Substation across from the Alice Griffith Opportunity Center in Bayview Hunters Point by Precita Eyes muralists Susan Cervantes and Malik Seneferu in collaboration with residents of the Alice Griffith Housing Development, Bayview Koshland Fellows and Communities of Opportunity.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-207: Motion to approve an honorarium of $2,000 to artist Christina Seely for ten photographs to be duplicated on banners in the North Light Court of City Hall.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-208: Motion to approve an honorarium of $3,000 to Justine Topfer for project management of the North Light Court Banner Project featuring photographs by Christina Seely.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-209: Motion to approve the kiosk poster project proposal by artist Binh Danh for the Art on Market Street 2009-2010 Program and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Binh Danh for an amount not to exceed $16,000 for the design development and printing of the proposed poster designs and coordination of a project-related public event.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-210: Motion to approve an honorarium of $2,000 to Sheila Ghidini for her design of a work of art for the 9-1-1 Plaza, upon the cancellation of the project by the Department of Emergency Services.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-211: Motion to approve an increase of $18,000 in the amount of the contract with Susan Schwartzenberg to provide artwork for Harvey Milk Recreation Center for a total contract amount not to exceed $80,000, for modifications to lighting and plinths and installation of protective glazing at the exterior window walls and related expenses.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0803-09-212: Motion to approve the following arts professionals as possible members of artist selection panels for San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit:
Carolina Ponce de León, Executive Director, Galería de la Raza
Debra Cullinan, Executive Director, Intersection for the Arts
Betti-Sue Hertz, Director of Visual Arts, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator, Berkeley Art Museum
Michael Schwager, Consulting Curator, Di Rosa Preserve
Walter Hood, landscape architect and artist
Barbara Goldstein, Public Art Director, San Jose Public Art Program
Joseph Becker, Assistant Curator of Architecture and Design, SFMOMA
Jennie E. Rodríguez, Executive Director, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
René de Guzman, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum
Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum
Hung Liu, artist
Diana Pumpelly Bates, artist
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Reports and Announcements
There were no reports or announcements.
- Public Comment
There was no further public comment.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 p.m.
12/3/09 spr
