Full_Commission
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, May 2, 2005
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
Andrea Cochran
Rod Freebairn-Smith
William Meyer
Janice Mirikitani
Jeannene Przyblyski
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Dave Stroud
Ethel Pitts Walker
Commissioners Absent
Anne Brauer
Blanche Brown
Maya Draisin
Dede Wilsey
Shelley Bradford Bell
- Approval of Minutes
The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-093: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of April 4, 2005.
NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
- President’s Report
President Johnston reported that the David Best project is moving forward quickly, with help from Commissioner Draisin in connecting donors and the Mayor’s office, and that the Visual Arts Committee report would give more details. He advised that Commissioners would be invited to an informal fundraising event shortly. He explained that the compressed time frame for this project is a fundraising challenge, although nearly half of the money has already been raised. He was very interested to meet the artist, who likes to work with a great deal of community input. President Johnston is looking forward to this high-profile public artwork this summer, connecting with the renaissance of the Hayes Valley neighborhood.
He noted that the Mayor’s budget proposal would soon be final, and that by the June meeting of the Commission it will be clear whether further cuts in services will be required; staff cuts have already been made. He pointed out that even though the City as a whole is facing serious budget cuts, they have fallen disproportionately on the Arts Commission.
- Director’s Report
Mr. Newirth echoed the excitement about the David Best project. Then he reported that, unfortunately, the Endangered Seed Project will not be able to move forward because of practical difficulties; it may be revised for the kiosks next year.
Mr. Newirth explained that the Mayor’s budget will be released on June 1, shortly before the Commission’s next meeting on June 7, and that the budget hearings before the Board of Supervisors are scheduled for June 23 and June 30. Commissioners may want to discuss the budget with Supervisors; the Budget Committee is sympathetic to the Arts Commission, but the City’s current financial situation is very difficult.
Mr. Newirth reported that the Arts Task Force has met twice, and is scheduled to meet again on May 3. Their regular schedule is the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 and the third Wednesday at 4:00. They have been discussing the requirements of the Sunshine ordinance and bylaws. Staffing the Task Force has added to his workload and that of the Commission Secretary.
He reported that the April 6 interview of the Mayor by Commissioner Przyblyski at the San Francisco Art Institute had gone very well. Mr. Newirth also attended the swearing-in of the new City Librarian, Luis Herrera. The Library works with WritersCorps on several events, and Mr. Newirth looks forward to continuing that relationship.
Mr. Newirth thanked Recreation and Park project manager Joyce Oishi for leading a walkthrough of the Diller + Scofidio project.
Mr. Newirth is working with staff on a small pilot project involving the painting of utility boxes around the city, in response to a request from the Mayor.
He reported that the street artist for whom the Arts Commission declined to hold a hearing on whether to issue a new permit had taken the matter to the Board of Permit Appeals. Mr. Newirth was gratified to report that they upheld the Arts Commission’s decision.
The search for a new Gallery Director has begun, and the job description has been posted. Mr. Newirth announced that London Breed, Executive Director of the African American Art and Culture Complex, has been appointed to the Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Newirth met with Gayle Orr-Smith, who is seeking direction from the Arts Commission on commmissioning a gateway art project in Bayview, which is planned to include beautification of the grassy area, and community artwork, and to be privately funded.
Mr. Newirth announced several events, including the opening of Full Circle, an Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center show featuring paintings by Nancy Hom along with Betty Nobue Kano; and a classical music think tank on May 23 and May 24 by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.
He announced the year-end event for WritersCorps on June 1 at the Main Library’s Koret Auditorium. He displayed the covers of the anthologies they will publish this year, and explained that Project Manager Janet Heller was currently in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with several WritersCorps interns who were teaching and reading.
He introduced Coro Fellow Abbie Conlee, who is working with the Community Arts and Education program on evaluating the Cultural Centers.
Mr. Newirth distributed copies of a monograph by Americans for the Arts, entitled “Growing Audiences, Shrinking Space,” about press coverage on the arts. He updated the Commissioners on the repairs to the statue of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores Park; the conservator was currently at work on it and should be finished shortly.
Finally, he introduced Moira Kenney, First 5 Executive Director, who would discuss First 5, the statewide initiative to introduce Preschool for All, and the Only in San Francisco Arts Initiative being developed in collaboration with the Arts Commission.
- Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-094
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. 0502-05-095: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of April 18, 2005.
Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (April 18, 2005)
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-096: Motion to approve Argonne Playground Clubhouse—Phases 2 and 3.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-097: Motion to approve Larsen Park Sava Pool Renovation—Phase 2.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-098: Motion to approve Joseph Lee Recreation Center—Phase 1.
- Committee Reports
- Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
- President Johnston reported that the Committee did not meet, but he met with staff at that time. He presented the following motion.
RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-099: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the San Francisco Symphony in an amount not to exceed $1,314,301 to produce the Summer in the City concert series.
- Civic Design Review Committee—William Meyer, Chair
- Commissioner Meyer reported that the Committee met and was pleased with the designs they reviewed, as reflected in the minutes. They did not approve the utility building project, as they were looking to develop a citywide approach.
- Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Blanche Brown, Chair
- President Johnston reported that the Committee did not met, and said he was looking forward to the upcoming meeting to be held at the Bayview Opera House. He presented the following motion.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-100: Motion to approve the following 2005-2006 Creative Space Grants for the Cultural Equity Grants program:
Bay Area Theatersports, $6,420
CELLSpace, $16,000
CounterPulse, $16,000
Eureka Theatre Company, $16,000
Manilatown Heritage Foundation, $16,000
San Francisco Mime Troupe, $11,027
Southern Exposure, $12,000
The Marsh, $16,000
Theatre Rhinoceros, $12,000
- Street Artists Committee
- President Johnston reported that the Committee did not meet, and he was gratified to hear that the Permit Appeals Board had upheld the Arts Commission’s previous decision. He presented the following motion.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-101: Motion to approve former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate and waiver of re-screening of wares: Farid Samara, Daniel Stromberg, Katya Newman, Janis Maxwell.
- Visual Arts Committee—Jeannene Przyblyski, Chair
- Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee had been struggling to make a quorum, and would meet on May 3. She was pleased to report that the David Best project was moving ahead, and she praised Commissioner Draisin’s hard work on it. She advised that there will be a fundraising event.
She was pleased to see the Diller + Scofidio piece working, commenting that its uniqueness had presented technical challenges. She would like to have a celebratory event once the test period is over.
Commissioner Przyblyski reported on the current Public Art selection panels, noting that all of them included Commissioners. She reported that discussion on the painting of utility boxes is ongoing. Finally, she announced the dedication of the North Beach Pool on May 21.
In his capacity as Civic Art Collection Project Manager, Rommel Taylor presented proposals to move three monuments within Golden Gate Park: Ludwig von Beethoven, Robert Emmet and Leonidas. All are currently in storage as a result of the Academy of Sciences construction. Douglas Nelson, Principal, Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey, landscape architects for the Music Concourse, was present to discuss their proposal for the three sculptures. Joyce Oishi of Recreation and Parks also appeared in support of the proposal.
The staff recommendation was to accept the proposed relocation of Beethoven and Emmet, but not Leonidas. Commissioners discussed the proposals, raising a number of questions about the scale of the monuments and their relationship to the Concourse and the buildings. Ultimately, however, because the site is an historic landmark area, the statues must return to very near their previous locations. Ms. Oishi confirmed that landmark designation status is pending. The Commission unanimously passed the two following resolutions.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-102: Motion to approve relocation of Ludwig van Beethoven Monument to a new location within the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0502-05-103: Motion to approve relocation of Robert Emmet Statue to a new location within the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse.
- New Business
- There was no new business brought before the Commission.
- Presentation on First5
- Moira Kenney, Executive Director of First5, gave an overview of the Preschool for All program. First5 San Francisco was established in 1998 by the passage of Proposition 10, the tobacco tax measure. Ms. Kenney explained that there is a relatively new nationwide focus on early childhood development, pointing out that some ninety percent of brain growth takes place before the age of five, and that the earlier we engage children, the better they are prepared for success in life. She gave an overview of the Preschool for All program’s implementation in San Francisco, discussing funding as well as the priority of culturally and developmentally appropriate programs. Two initiatives are a focus on arts, science and literacy; and the inclusion of children with special needs. First5 will build on existing resources and partner with organizations already doing good work, like the Arts Commission.
Commissioners thanked Ms. Kenney, and asked her several questions about partnering organizations, the program’s implementation for various age groups, its funding in coming years, and other concerns.
- Reports and Announcements
- There were no other reports or announcements.
- Public Comment
Steven Dreyfus spoke to the Commission about street performers in relation to the Street Artists program. President Johnston said that the Arts Commission is in discussions with the Board of Supervisors, the Entertainment Commission and the City Attorney on this subject. Mr. Newirth read from the Arts Commission’s April 4, 2005, minutes to reiterate that this issue is a current concern for the Commission and other departments.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
5/23/05 spr
