Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Maya Draisin
Beverly Prior
Jeannene Przyblyski
Commissioners Absent
Alexander Lloyd
Staff Present
Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
Development Director Rachelle Axel
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton
- Arts Center Feasibility Study
Michael Cohen and Kyri McClellan of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development began with an update on the status of the Van Ness and Grove corner that includes the old Gallery at 155 Grove. The Mayor’s Office is pursuing a public-private partnership to develop the site for an arts use, within the limits of the Civic Center District plan. They explained that of the five lots in question, three are owned by the City and two are privately owned. Criteria for the development include a use that answers a need within the San Francisco arts community; a use that will support a capital campaign, since private donations will be required; and a use that is sustainable and self-supporting.
The Mayor’s Office put out a Request for Interest (“RFI”) in November, 2006, and received ten responses. They have recently released a Request for Proposals (“RFP”), with responses due by June 8. A three-member panel including Arts Commission staff will review the submitted proposals and choose which consultant will perform the feasibility study. The RFP calls for a feasibility study to be completed within four to six months, at a cost of $75,000, to perform an economic and cultural needs analysis. They anticipate having final results in Spring, 2008, and will review the results with the full Arts Commission. One question to be considered is what kind of project could be accomplished if the private parcel owner is unwilling to participate.
Commissioners discussed potential sources of funds, and potential partners in the project. Mr. Cohen discussed projects elsewhere that could provide models for this project. He and Ms. McClellan closed by saying that they will continue to report to Ms. Gonchar on their progress.
President Johnston asked Ms. Gonchar for her report in advance of his report.
- Interim Director’s Report
Ms. Gonchar began her report with an update on the budget, noting that the maintenance allocation for the Cultural Centers was 5% greater than expected, and that there was an allocation for Collections repairs and conservation, including $140,000 for the statue of Francis Scott Key in Golden Gate Park.
She reported that Shelley Bradford Bell would be leaving the Bayview Opera House at the end of June, and that they would be working with CompassPoint to assess their needs and help clarify their direction through the transition to a new director. Ms. Gonchar and the Commissioners briefly discussed some of the Cultural Centers’ needs. Ms. Gonchar said how helpful it was to have a Facilities Manager, Tom Petersen, to address some of their most pressing issues, such as the elevator at SomArts.
Ms. Gonchar reported that she and staff are meeting with the Supervisors on the Budget Committee individually to review with them what the Arts Commission is doing citywide and in their districts, and what the agency could do with appropriate funding. She reminded Commissioners that the Arts Commission’s budget will be heard by the Budget Committee on June 21.
She said that she will be meeting with Nani Coloretti of the Mayor’s Budget Office to discuss the possibility of funding temporary staffing to perform some of the Deputy Director’s functions, including Civic Design management, that are being displaced by her duties as Interim Director. Commissioner Przyblyski suggested that the Civic Design Review Committee not take up further policy discussions or other larger issues until the agency is again fully staffed.
Ms. Gonchar reported on the proposed City Hall installation by Bill Fontana, explaining that Gallery Director Meg Shiffler had prepared a budget of $95,000, of which $63,000 must come from outside fundraising, and which must be raised by the beginning of the project. She concluded that this would likely prevent a January, 2008 opening. Commissioners discussed ideas for raising the necessary funds, noting that the agency needs a sustainable model for temporary art projects that includes sufficient time for the appropriate grantwriting and other fundraising to support them.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton observed that if the proposed Public Art Trust were established, some funds would become available immediately that could be used for temporary or permanent work, or for the repair and conservation of existing works. She added that this would require that legislation be drafted, and City policy changed.
Ms. Gonchar reported that Development Director Rachelle Axel and staff had prepared reports on Arts Commission projects and activities in each supervisorial district, in preparation for her individual meetings with the Supervisors.
Ms. Axel reported on grants for which she had applied. She said that she has been developing financial goals for each of the Arts Commission’s programs.
- President’s Report
President Johnston asked Commissioner Draisin to report on the web survey. She said that she worked with Cultural Equity Grants Program Director San San Wong and Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie on the questionnaire. She asked the Committee to consider eliminating some of the questions so that the survey is narrowly focused to provide a basis for discussion at the Commission’s July retreat. Alternatively, she asked whether a more comprehensive survey would require more time to develop; she emphasized that it should be done well.
The Committee discussed these questions and decided it would be more useful to eliminate some of the questions and do a simpler “big-picture” survey in advance of the retreat. The goal is to reach 8,000 to 10,000 people, in anticipation of 300 responses. Commissioners and staff discussed a number of places to distribute the survey, including Grants for the Arts, Arts Forum and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, as well as the Arts Commission’s e-mail lists.
- 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 4:35 p.m.
spr 7/27/07
