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MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, April 4, 2005
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416

Minutes

President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Anne Brauer
Blanche Brown
Maya Draisin
Rod Freebairn-Smith
William Meyer
Jeannene Przyblyski
Dede Wilsey

Commissioners Absent
Andrea Cochran
Janice Mirikitani
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Dave Stroud
Ethel Pitts Walker
Shelley Bradford Bell
Approval of Minutes
The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-056: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of March 7, 2005.

NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
President’s Report
President Johnston acknowledged and thanked the Commissioners for their enthusiasm at meeting in City Hall. Recalling having worked in the same chair where the Commission Secretary sat, he reminded everyone that the cameras and microphones are always on.

He urged any Commissioners who had not yet filed their Forms 700 and Sunshine Ordinance forms to do so immediately, and reminded them that they were subject to a fine of ten dollars per day for late filing.

He reported that the budget situation continues to be dire, and that Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth and Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar have been working extremely hard to protect the agency’s limited resources. In his meeting with the Mayor, President Johnston tried to convey the importance of not further cutting funds to this agency which has already suffered disproportionate losses.

He updated the Commissioners on the status of United Nations Plaza. The Mayor and Department of Public Works announced a long overdue cleanup, made more urgent by the upcoming sixtieth UN anniversary. Although the process began without the appropriate involvement of the Arts Commission, the Mayor’s office responded quickly to the Civic Design Committee and is now working with the Committee.

President Johnston reported on the announcement of the Arts Education Master Plan and launch of the arts curriculum at the recent press conference at John Swett Alternative Elementary School. The event was a rousing success that highlighted the cooperative efforts of the School Board, the Arts Commission, the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor.

President Johnston also reported that he would be representing the Arts Commission as a nonvoting member of the Arts Task Force at its first meeting on April 7, and will continue to update the Commission.

Finally, he welcomed the guests from the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco.
Director’s Report
Mr. Newirth reported further on the budget, referring to press reports of a three-year deficit of $100 million. He expects to have to eliminate one position in Public Art, due to a reduction in the number of projects and the corresponding funds to run them. He recalled that the agency has lost eight positions in recent years. Library funds will continue to support WritersCorps, although at one point it appeared that those funds would no longer be available.

Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar and Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff have been meeting with the Cultural Centers and Supervisor Ammiano’s office to discuss whether and how to apply for Proposition 40 funds. There are two more cycles, and this may be able to provide capital funds for the Centers.

Mr. Newirth has been involved in the upcoming Craigslist Foundation Nonprofit Boot Camp, which has generated an arts group. It may ultimately merge with the Arts Forum loosely organized by Deborah Cullinan of Intersection for the Arts and Brad Erickson of Theatre Bay Area, with the merged group possibly receiving some staff support from the Craigslist Foundation. This promises a positive synergy with the Arts Commission, and with the Arts Task Force.

He reported two items on World Environment Day. First, Public Art Program Director Jill Manton is working very hard to bring the temporary installation, for up to three months, of a sculpture by David Best at the Octavia Green. The current challenge is to raise funds to commission the artist, whose work she described as spectacular. President Johnston inquired whether formal fundraising events were in the works; Mr. Newirth said there were none yet. Staff is talking with Black Rock Art Foundation about possible support, but there is currently no offer of money.

Secondly, the Visual Arts Committee approved the revision of the Endangered Seed Project, to be installed on the back of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. The piece was originally designed for the Ferry Building. Mr.Newirth speculated that if the piece is installed at the Civic Auditorium, people may get used to seeing beautiful banners all the time.

Mr. Newirth reported that Supervisors Peskin and Alioto-Pier are pursuing efforts to include amplified street performers in the Street Artists program. He is working with them with the aim of minimizing the impact of this initiative on Arts Commission staff. Discussions are continuing, including meetings with the Entertainment Commission and the City Attorney.

Mr. Newirth announced the departure of Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins after nine years, saying that he would be greatly missed. Mr. Newirth has begun meeting with the Gallery's Advisory Board to discuss his replacement. He and Commissioner Przyblyski have met with a consortium which is investigating a possible development to house the Arts Commission offices and other organizations. While they foresee many obstacles to this project, including funding and feasibility issues, the paramount concern is to find a permanent home for the Arts Commission and the Gallery.

He thanked President Johnston, Ms. Nemzoff and Arts Education Officer Rachelle Axel for their work on the Arts Education Master Plan and its kickoff event. He noted that President Johnston got a warm reception when he spoke to the Board of Education. The Arts Commission was praised by the Board of Education, Supervisor Ammiano and the Mayor.

Mr. Newirth reported agreement at the staff level with the art allocation for the Academy of Sciences, noting that Ms. Manton had been very creative in finding ways for them to fulfill their obligation with the least impact to their budget.

Mr. Newirth reminded Commissioners that they were invited to a reception on Friday, April 8 for the AIDS Memorial Grove competition winner. This was a conceptual competition with no funds attached. The group understands that if the project is to be built, it will have to come for review by the Civic Design Committee. Since the Grove is largely completed, they wanted to add a special visual element. The proposal is essentially an environmental art piece.

Mr. Newirth announced that the Arts Task would have its first meeting on Thursday, April 7. He predicted that with such a large group, making introductions and electing a chair will take up much of the time, and that they will likely quickly request extension of the legislation past July 1. He expected Tomas Lee and Wade Crowfoot to attend and welcome the Task Force on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor.

He also announced that Commissioner Przyblyski would be interviewing the Mayor in an event at the Art Institute on Wednesday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m.

He also announced that the work on the bronze statue of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores Park should be finished by the end of April. This statue, along with those of Juan Bautista de Anza and King Carlos III, which have been in storage, has been on the San Francisco Chronicle's ChronicleWatch list for a few months. He suggested a celebration at the end of the repair work. A location somewhat near the de Anza Trail has been found for the statues of de Anza and King Carlos, which will face each other across an open space. This move will come before a committee of the Recreation and Parks Commission in April, and before the full Recreation and Parks Commission in May. He reported that the community was excited about having the statues.

Mr. Newirth announced the opening reception on Friday, April 8, for the Career Waitresses show in the Gallery. This show will move to City Hall, and will share an opening there with two other photography shows, Sixth Street Photography and A Kid’s Eye View, on Wednesday, April 13.
Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-057
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. 0404-05-058: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of February 28, 2005.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-059: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of March 15, 2005.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-060: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2005.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-061: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2005.
  
  Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (March 16, 2005)
5. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-062: Motion to approve the six final poster designs for “The Pickpocketers” series, by artist Maria Forde, for the Art on Market Street Program, to be printed and exhibited in 24 kiosks on Market Street from Friday, May 13 to Thursday, August 11, 2005.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-063: Motion to accept Aileen Barr's ceramic tile work, “Secret Garden,” at the West Portal Clubhouse into the Civic Art Collection.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-064: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase the contract with Suzanne Biaggi by an amount not to exceed $51,500, for a new total contract amount not to exceed $55,000, to fabricate, transport and install her proposed sculpture at Laguna Honda Hospital.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-065: Motion to add artist Seyed Alavi to the pool of pre-approved panelists for 2005.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-066: Motion to approve the revised proposal for “The Endangered Seed Project,” by artists Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson, for temporary installation on the rear wall of the Civic Center Auditorium as part of the Art on Market Street 2004-2005 Temporary Projects Program.
10. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-067: Motion to approve a temporary exhibition of sculpture from A New Leaf Gallery-Sculpturesite, Inc. in Moscone Convention Plaza for a period of six months subject to review by the Arts Commission in order to extend the term.
11. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-068: Motion to approve the following artists for exhibitions at 155 Grove Street: Bill Swanson, Tauba Auerbach, and Midori Harima.
12. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-069: Motion to approve honoraria payments of $300 each to Bill Swanson, Tauba Auerbach, and Midori Harima for their 155 Grove Street exhibitions.
13. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-070: Motion to approve the following artists for exhibition at 401 Van Ness: Bari Ziperstein, Nigel Poor, Christina Ray, Michael Banicki, Lee Walton, and Brad Brown.
14. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-071: Motion to approve an honorarium payment of $300 to Bari Ziperstein for her 401 Van Ness exhibition.
15. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-072: Motion to approve the final design for “A Library Book,” a lighted Plexiglas wall artwork designed by artist Vince Koloski, for the new Mission Bay Branch Library.
16. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-073: Motion to approve the revised design of drawing “A” by Owen Smith depicting more of the Golden Gate bridge for a 9' x 9' painting for Laguna Honda Hospital.
17. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-074: Motion to approve the revised design by Owen Smith replacing drawing “C” (workers on scaffold) with “E” (workers and large pipe) for the lobby mural at Laguna Honda Hospital.
18. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-075: Motion to authorize staff to investigate the possibility of increasing the contribution of art enrichment funds in order to upgrade the tile quality for Cheonae Kim's tile project in the Aqua Therapy room at Laguna Honda Hospital.
19. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-076: Motion to approve the proposed color selections and compositions for the eight dayroom soffits and mockup for the Juvenile Hall Replacement Project.
20. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-077: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 0103-05-007 approving Tom Otterness as the artist to design, fabricate and install an artwork for the entry gates of the Pulgas Water Temple site.
21. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-078: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 0103-05-008 authorizing the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Tom Otterness in an amount not to exceed $250,000 (pending PUC approval of additional funds) for design, fabrication, and installation of artwork for the entry gates of the Pulgas Water Temple.
22. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-079: Motion to cancel further consideration of the Pulgas Water Temple site as a public art project opportunity until completion of the SFPUC Public Art Master Plan.
23. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-080: Motion to approve artists Sandow Birk, Peter Richards, and Susan Schwartzenberg with Michael Davis as finalists, and Lewis deSoto and Nancy Selvin as alternates, for the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center Public Art Project and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each finalist $300 to participate in an interview-based selection process with the panel.
  
  Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (March 21, 2005)
24. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-081: Motion to approve Seismic Upgrades of Bay Division Pipelines 3 and 4 at the Hayward Fault Crossing Phase 1 and 2 contingent upon the use of a more neutral green color as shown on presentation boards.
25. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-082: Motion to approve Little Saigon Project Phase 1 and 2 contingent upon reducing the width and depth dimensions to 18" and researching the feasibility of using granite for the cladding on the monument.
26. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-083: Motion to approve Ingleside Branch Library Phase 1 with the recommendation that the trees directly in front of the children’s reading room be relocated or removed.
27. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-084: Motion to approve Palace of Fine Arts Site Furnishings Phases 1, 2 and 3.
Committee Reports
1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
  1. President Johnston reported that the Committee had a productive meeting. The discussion covered ongoing marketing and branding issues, and Commissioner Draisin proposed some excellent ideas for pro bono help to make the Commission and its work more visible.
    
    Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Media-Screen to design and implement an online outreach survey for the Arts Commission, in an amount not to exceed $7,000.
2. Civic Design Review Committee—William Meyer, Chair
  1. Commissioner Meyer reported that the Committee was presented three fairly significant additions to the cityscape: a gateway for the Vietnamese community, an elegant design for the Ingleside library, and the lagoon restoration at the Palace of Fine Arts. Finally, he presented the following motions, as revised at the full Commission meeting, on the proposed and partially begun work on UN Plaza. They expect a further presentation from the Department of Public Works on this project. The Committee expects to obtain written confirmation from Lawrence Halprin that he has approved of the etching into the fountain of the text described below.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-085: Motion to approve two additional flagpoles to carry all the United Nations national flags on a temporary basis.
  3. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-086: Motion to approve the conceptual design and placement of bronze plaques commemorating United Nations World Environment Day 2005. The placement of the plaque should be aligned with the flagpole on axis with the City Hall dome.
  4. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-087: Motion to approve the etching of text into the Lawrence Halprin Fountain and existing United Nations pylons as part of the improvements to United Nations Plaza.
3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Blanche Brown, Chair
  1. Commissioner Brown reported that the Committee had not met, and presented the following motion. President Johnston noted that the Committee has had difficulty getting a quorum, but that all members had been thoroughly briefed by staff. He is looking forward to holding some of the Committee’s meetings at the Cultural Centers.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-088: Motion to approve the following panelists for the Cultural Equity Grants panel pool:
    
    Tracy Ward, theatre director
    Charlton Lee, Artistic Director, Del Sol Quartet
    Samantha Chanse, Program Director, Kearny Street Workshop
    James Leventhal, Development Coordinator, Judah L. Magnes Museum
    Vince Koloski, visual artist
    Mary Fry, Artistic Director, Footloose Dance Company
  3. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-089: Motion to approve a grant of $2500 to Coro Northern California for a Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs with the Community Arts and Education Program.
4. Street Artists Committee
  1. President Johnston reported that the Committee did not meet, and he presented the following motion.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-090: Motion to approve former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate and waiver of re-screening of wares: Sarka Holeckova, Susan Giammona.
5. Visual Arts Committee—Jeannene Przyblyski, Chair
  1. Commissioner Przyblyski reported that the Committee met, and referred the Commissioners to the minutes. She reported how pleased the Committee was to be moving forward with the Endangered Seed project, and she echoed Mr. Newirth’s sadness at Mr. Jenkins’s departure. She reported that Ms. Manton had seen the Diller + Scofidio project in operation, and was looking forward to a celebration of its opening.
    
    Commissioner Przyblyski described the David Best piece as a really good fit with the Hayes Green, and as a good model for further public/private partnerships. She reported that the neighborhood association is really excited to get public art there.
    
    She explained that the following resolution allowed the Arts Commission to accept from the Mayor an unrestricted gift of one of the Hearts in San Francisco, done by a significant local artist commemorating the same-sex marriages in City Hall, into the Civic Art Collection. The piece is temporarily placed in City Hall, and there are some good possibilities for an eventual permanent home for it. Commissioners held a brief discussion of the Hearts in general. Commissioner Przyblyski made the point that as a temporary project they derive scale from their number and ubiquity. She suggested, however, that as an isolated object, one of the sculptures must be significant in its own right, or in some other way be able to stand alone.
    
    She presented the following motion from the Committee.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-091: Motion to accept a gift from Mayor Gavin Newsom of a heart sculpture from the “Hearts of San Francisco Project,” and to approve its placement in City Hall, as follows:
    
    Resolution accepting a generous gift from Mayor Gavin Newsom of a heart sculpture from the “Hearts of San Francisco Project,” entitled “Love + Marriage” by Deborah Oropallo, and approving the placement of such sculpture in City Hall.
    
    WHEREAS, in the Spring of 2004, a group of dedicated volunteers organized the “Hearts of San Francisco” project consisting of approximately 130 heart-shaped sculptures that were transformed into unique works by recognized and emerging artists and installed on sidewalks, plazas, parks, in public buildings and street corners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area; and
    
    WHEREAS, in November of 2004, the heart sculptures were auctioned to raise funds for the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation; and
    
    WHEREAS, Mayor Gavin Newsom selected and purchased the heart sculpture entitled “Love + Marriage,” by artist Deborah Oropallo (the “Heart Sculpture”), in support of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation; and
    
    WHEREAS, Deborah Oropallo’s Heart Sculpture depicts a list of same-sex couples representing some of the over four thousand same-sex marriages that took place in City Hall in early 2004 and captures an important chapter in the City’s history; and
    
    WHEREAS, the Heart Sculpture was on prominent display in City Hall in 2004 and was enjoyed by many of the citizens, employees and visitors of San Francisco; and
    
    WHEREAS, the names appearing on the surface of Oropallo’s Heart Sculpture were printed using digital technology and printed on canvas with a digital permanent pigment printer; and
    
    WHEREAS, Oropallo’s works are included in numerous museum collections including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; in addition, the San Jose Museum of Art recently organized an exhibition entitled “How To,” a recent traveling retrospective of her work; and
    
    WHEREAS, Mayor Newsom has generously offered to donate the Heart Sculpture to the City and County of San Francisco’s Arts Commission as an unrestricted gift; and
    
    WHEREAS, the Arts Commission, by accepting this proposed gift would be temporarily lifting its existing moratorium on new gifts of artworks; and
    
    WHEREAS, Mayor Newsom has expressed a wish that the sculpture be placed in City Hall for a temporary period that the Arts Commission deems appropriate; and
    
    WHEREAS, Mayor Newsom has also agreed that if the Arts Commission ultimately determines that it would be in the best interests of the City and the public for the Arts Commission to loan, sell or otherwise transfer the sculpture to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society or other tax-exempt charitable organization or government agency, the Arts Commission would be authorized to carry out such a loan, sale or transfer; now therefore be it
    
    RESOLVED, that the Arts Commission hereby accepts the generous gift from Mayor Gavin Newsom of a heart sculpture from the “Hearts of San Francisco Project,” entitled “Love + Marriage” by Deborah Oropallo, temporarily suspends its moratorium on acceptance of new gifts of artworks to allow for the acceptance of this gift and approves the initial, temporary placement of such sculpture in City Hall at a location to be determined by the Commission in consultation with the Mayor.
New Business
1. President Johnston presented the following motion. There was no public comment.
  
  RESOLUTION NO. 0404-05-092: Motion to change the location of regular meetings of the full Arts Commission only to City Hall, Room 416, beginning with the May, 2005, meeting; this shall not affect the location of meetings of committees of the Commission.
Presentation on Architectural Education
1. Executive Director Alan Sandler and Programs Director Will Fowler of the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco gave an interesting and inspiring presentation on their program, the Build San Francisco Institute, which works with high school students in a half-day program throughout the school year. They made the point that even though most of their students do not intend to pursue careers in architecture, the experience gives them a strong sense of the built environment as a civic concern, of their connection with it and their stake in it. At the end of the presentation, Messrs. Sandler and Fowler distributed a CD with information about the Institute to all of the Commissioners and to staff.
Reports and Announcements
1. President Johnston thanked Messrs. Sandler and Fowler for their presentation, and commended them on an excellent program. Commissioner Przyblyski repeated her invitation to all to attend the Mayor’s appearance at the Art Institute.
Public Comment
There was no public comment on any item of this agenda unless so noted.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

4/19/05 spr

Meeting Information

Full_Commission