Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 SPECIAL MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Maya Draisin
Alexander Lloyd
Beverly Prior
Jeannene Przyblyski
Staff Present
Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar
Cultural Equity Grants Program Director E. San San Wong
Gallery Director Meg Shiffler
Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff
Development Director Rachelle Axel
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
President Johnston called for the Interim Director’s report as the first item of business.
- Interim Director’s Report
Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar began her report by noting that she had specifically invited senior staff for a discussion of opportunities and challenges currently facing the Arts Commission. Among the challenges, staffing is still insufficient for all of the agency’s mandated responsibilities.
Ms. Gonchar reported that the Third Street Light Rail opening was a great success for the Arts Commission and for Public Art Program Manager Judy Moran, noting that both Mayor Newsom and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned the art program in their remarks. Ms. Gonchar reported on the successful opening on Friday, April 20, 2007, of Breakthrough: An Amateur Photography Revolution at the Gallery.
She also reported that a number of community meetings were being held to get input on the new grants program. She noted that many different points of view were expressed at the meetings. Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff explained that notes from the meetings will be compiled and posted online. Cultural Equity Grants Program Director San San Wong added that the discussions were focused on the grants initiative, and that they will provide a context for the framing of the guidelines. Commissioners and staff agreed that there are strong feelings about how this program will be framed, and about the meaning of “social justice” in relation to the arts. Ms. Gonchar said that the program would specifically address underserved neighborhoods.
Ms. Gonchar reported that the CAE staff has made huge strides with the Cultural Centers, including significant Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) improvements. She also reported that the Capital Planning Committee has recommend $85,000 in funding for the restoration of the Francis Scott Key monument in Golden Gate Park. Development Director Rachelle Axel reported that she recently completed a grant application to Save America’s Treasures for additional funds for the Francis Scott Key monument. She is continuing to research other grants that can be applied to the Collections’ needs. Ms. Gonchar added that maintaining the City’s art collections, valued at some $86,000,000, is an ongoing challenge with only $15,000 budgeted for annual maintenance.
- Community Arts Programming Spending Plan
Ms. Gonchar reported that she has been meeting with members of the community to discuss the community arts programming spending plan. She explained that the plan was not ready to be voted on at today’s meeting. She added that although the supplemental funds were annualized by the Mayor’s Office, she plans to have further discussions regarding the necessity to fund positions with this allocation. Commissioners and staff discussed elements of the spending plan, agreeing that the Commission must be the steward of the City’s art collections, as well as representing the interests of those who are consumers, and not only producers, of art. They also discussed the schedule of the budget hearings.
The motion to approve the spending plan was withdrawn by President Johnston.
- San Francisco Arts Commission Retreat
Ms. Gonchar explained that part of the impetus for holding a Commission and staff retreat is a feeling that the Commission so often has had to react to crises and is not always able to proactively articulate and act on its own priorities. She reported that she and Vice President Draisin have been meeting with Chris Sutherland, who will facilitate the retreat. Ms. Sutherland will interview all of the Commissioners and senior staff in advance of the retreat, which will be held on a Friday in July. Ms. Gonchar and Vice President Draisin agreed that the day’s discussions will be very interactive and engaging.
Ms. Gonchar said that one of the agency’s priorities is public relations and marketing, and she asked Ms. Nemzoff to discuss the marketing firm with whom she will be working. Ms. Nemzoff reported that this year will be the fortieth anniversary of the Neighborhood Arts Program, and she would like to use that anniversary as a “jumping-off point” to publicize the work and the role of the Arts Commission citywide. Rather than looking backward, she plans to initiate a yearlong series of dialogues with the community about what has been learned about neighborhoods and community arts. She is excited to be working with Ben Lovejoy, who has a very whimsical style and completely understands what staff wants to do with this project, and with Julie Feinstein, a writer who will help with drafting press releases. She was still involved in contract discussions with them.
Commissioners and staff discussed some ideas for leveraging resources without increasing costs, such as working with interns or students to create podcast walking tours and other web-based resources.
Ms. Gonchar reported that a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for a feasibility study for the Gallery’s Grove Street location is being prepared, and is scheduled to be presented to this Committee at its next meeting. The plan is to look at the whole corner, including the building and the vacant lot, to define an arts use, and to determine how it can be funded. Gallery Director Meg Shiffler reported that Patrick Banks is the new President of the Gallery’s advisory board, and he has recently accepted a position with Lennar. She said that the Gallery staff and advisory board are waiting for responses to the RFP before taking the next step on this matter. President Johnston noted that the Arts Commission agreed to fund the feasibility study as an expression of its proprietary interest in the property.
Deputy Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious raised the question of the importance of public art, and the condition of monuments and other artworks in the City’s collections, to the economic well-being of a city that depends on tourism, and thus to the Hotel Tax revenues which fund both Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission. She added that the Arts Commission has a critical need for staff in the light of several large upcoming projects: General Hospital, the Central Subway and the Transbay Terminal. Commissioner Przyblyski added that as the Commission acquires the art generated out of the Public Art Program for the City, it becomes part of the Collections. Ms. Pontious added that inventory, repair and maintenance are all critical issues for the Collections. Commissioner Przyblyski cited John King’s column in the San Francisco Chronicle, to the effect that part of what makes a great city is its ambience and public art; what people see as they move through its streets. Ms. Gonchar added that the Arts Commission can’t go another year without a Collections position.
Commissioners and staff discussed the status and timing of the search for a new Director of Cultural Affairs. President Johnston explained that the Controller’s Office is hiring a search firm to do a national search, that the selected firm will meet with the Commissioners early in the process, and that Public Art Program Director Jill Manton will be the staff liaison for the search.
Commissioners and staff also discussed the role of the Executive Committee as the forum for budget, policy and long-term planning discussions. They discussed the importance of having representatives and perspectives from all of the other Committees in those discussions. Commissioner Przyblyski expressed the importance of articulating how civic design impacts the quality of life in the city, and the Arts Commission’s role as an advocate for quality of life in the city.
On behalf of the Gallery’s Advisory Board, Ms. Shiffler asked Commissioners to comment on the decision to hold the retreat before the hiring of a new Director. They replied that the retreat is long overdue; that the leadership is motivated to hold these discussions now; that no one knows how long the hiring process will take; that the need to step back and take a larger view is not obviated by changing current events; that the discussions will likely clarify ideas about what is needed in a new Director; and that the outcome of the discussions will help guide the new Director.
- Public Comment
There was no other public comment.
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
spr 5/3/07
