COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, and GRANTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
4:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 4:31 p.m.
Commissioners Present: PJ Johnston, Maya Draisin, José Cuellar
Staff Present: Janet Heller, Sarah Lenoue, Ebony McKinney, Richard Newirth, Judy Nemzoff, Tom Petersen and Ellen Shershow
- Cultural Equity Grants Program Director Report
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth announced that the six-month search for a new Director for Cultural Equity Grants would soon be coming to an end with an announcement expected within the next few weeks. He commended Cultural Equity Grants staff Sarah Lenoue and Ebony McKinney for doing a wonderful job in the interim. Sarah Lenoue reported on the recently completed Creative Space panel and presented the panel recommendations for eight grants totaling $118,500. She noted that there were fewer applicants in this category this year even though all the usual outreach was done.
Motion: Motion to approve recommendations to award eight grants totaling $118,500 in the 2006-2007 cycle of Creative Space Grants to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreement with each for the amounts listed:
CounterPulse, $20,000
Women’s Audio Mission, $5,000
Dance Brigade, $20,000
BATS Improv/Bay Area Theatresports, $20,000
826 Valencia, $20,000
Intersection for the Arts, $15,00
San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum, $8,500
Eth-Noh-Tec, $10,000
Moved: Draisin/Johnston
- Community Arts and Education Program Director Report
Community Arts and Education Director Judy Nemzoff reported that the Controller’s audits are complete. Work is continuing on the evaluations of the Cultural Centers, and though this has been an arduous task, it will assist in instituting a system of checks and balances with regards to the centers.
Ms. Nemzoff continued by reporting that the Arts Education Funders Collaborative is in the midst of redefining their role in regards to the Arts Commission. We are unsure of the outcome of this redefinition, and Ms. Nemzoff informed the Commissioners that changes may or may not impact the agency financially.
Lastly, Ms. Nemzoff described new staff members Melissa Hung and Tom Petersen as fantastic, and said that she looks forward to a wonderful 2007 for the Arts Commission.
- WritersCorps Report
WritersCorps Program Manager Janet Heller reported that she has met with the Department of Children, Youth and Familiesregarding the WritersCorps funding allocation. The funding will remain at its current level of $250,000 through 2010. WritersCorps staff will fundraise for additional money.
Ms. Heller went on to report the ongoing activities of WritersCorps, many of which are centered on marketing, including presentations at places like City Build, continuing work with the Giants, a reading series in conjunction with Intersection for the Arts, and the year-end donation letter.
- Arts Education Report
Ms. Nemzoff reported that the Arts Commission gives an annual grant to the San Francisco School Alliance (formerly the Every Child Can Learn Foundation) for the springtime citywide arts festival. This year it will take place at the de Young Museum and will be integrally linked to the San Francisco Unified School District Arts Education Master Plan.
Motion: Motion to approve a $5,000 grant to the San Francisco School Alliance from PAR056 to help support the San Francisco Unified School District Spring Arts Festival, an annual citywide event.
Moved: Draisin/Johnston
- Cultural Center Report
Ms. Nemzoff reported that she is meeting regularly with the Cultural Center directors. Currently, she is moving forward with the addenda to all Cultural Center contracts, Proposition 40 applications, and evaluations.
- Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Report
Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Tom Petersen reported that he has visited all of the Cultural Centers, and has lined up projects at all of them. For example, tripping hazards have been identified at the African American Art and Cultural Center (“AAACC”) and at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts; there are security concerns at SomArts; and the heating system at Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”) needs repair. Mr. Petersen explained that we will utilize this years increase in funding to address these and other problems at the Cultural Centers. Additionally, Mr. Petersen explained that he is working to formalize a two-year contract for an elevator at AAACC, and working with SomArts on a fire inspection certificate. Lastly, Mr. Petersen reported on the progress of the plaza renovation at BVOH; Muni is spearheading this project with funding from a federal grant. This has been in the works for several years, and is finally at a point at which we can begin work on the plaza.
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
12/28/06 ES
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 240, San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel: INFO: (Ellen Shershow 415-252-2598).
Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100 - 2.160) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone (415) 581-2300, fax (415) 581-2317 and web site.
