September 14, 2010
COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September14, 2010
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Sherri Young, John Calloway, Maya Draisin, JessicaSilverman
Staff Present: Directorof Grants San San Wong, Cultural Equity Grants Program Associate Lucy K. Lin,Cultural Equity Grants Program Associate Beatrice Thomas, Community Arts andEducation Program Director Judy Nemzoff, and Community Arts and EducationProgram Manager Robynn Takayama.
1. Cultural Equity Grants Program Director Report
Director of Grants San San Wong gave an introduction of the grantcategories associated with the first two motions. The Cultural EquityInitiative Level Two (“CEI-L2”) is designed to support the sustainability andcapacity building of organizations deeply rooted in historically underservedcommunities. Creative Space Grants (“CRSP”) supports the planning and capitalimprovement of safe, accessible, and affordable spaces in San Francisco.
The three recommended grantees for CEI-L2 grantsgave short introductions to their organizations and their proposed initiatives.Michelle Tea and Beth Pickens from Radar Productions, a queer literary artsorganization, talked about how their innovative organizational model engagesartists. When a new artist enters into the Radar “stream,” their access toopportunities continues to increase throughout their career. The three-yeargrant will support the continuation of their current work, producing a monthlyreading series at the public library and the Sister Spit literary tour, as wellas the organization’s new publishing endeavor. With the expanded capacity,Radar will be working with a web designer to transform their website into aqueer-centered literary hotspot. The site will contain archives, interactiveliterary components and writers’ resources. The grant will also allow theorganization to create a board-controlled cash reserve. The Radar is alsolooking forward to an upcoming collaboration on a multidisciplinary arts showwith The Luggage Store, an arts space located in the Tenderloin.
Commissioner Young wanted to know how many yearsRadar had been in existence and how many artists were in their core group. Ms.Tea responded that they had been in existence for eight years and that theywere working with approximately 100 writers in the Bay Area. CommissionerSilverman followed with a question about the age range of their writers. Ms.Tea explained that they work with teen writers through their partnership withthe Creative Writing Department at School of the Arts, and that Radar hasworked with elder writers in the past.
Idris Ackamoor and Rhodessea Jones from CulturalOdyssey, one of the Bay Area’s most respected contemporary African Americantheatrical ensembles, were next to present. This CEI-L2 grant will allow themto address the important issue of retirement planning for artists, artist-ledensembles and particularly African American artists. Some of the key questionsthey will be seeking answers for are as follows: What does sustainability meanwhen addressing artist-led ensembles? How do you sustain an artistic legacy andpractice beyond the life of the artist? How do you create a cushion or comfortzone around retirement? The organization intends to research, compile, and makethis information available in a retirement guide for artists.
Commissioner Young expressed that it was wonderfulto hear artists talking about the importance of legacy. She explained thatCultural Odyssey cannot be replaced, which is why it is so important to havetheir legacy documented, preserved, and accessible. She also noted that thedocumentation of legacy becomes very important to young emerging artists whocan learn from their history and do not have to start from the beginning.
The final recommended grantee, Queer Women Of ColorMedia Arts Project (“QWOCMAP”), recently celebrated their 10thanniversary at the African American Art and Culture Complex. QWOCMAP providesfree training in filmmaking, film distribution, and produces the only filmfestival solely dedicated to the work of queer women of color. They havesupported the creation of over 160 films since 2003. For years, there has beenan increasing demand for QWOCMAP to distribute the films. Managing Director T.Kebo Drew said that despite the organization’s energy and enthusiasm, they havealways been fiscally conservative with a focus on secure, steady, measuredgrowth. The organization has been working on a financial model that would makedistribution economically viable and has reached a point where they are readyto take on a distribution role.
With the CEI-L2 funding, QWOCMAP will hire adistribution coordinator to formalize and expand the organization’sdistribution network. For example, one major project will be the development ofeight DVD’s and accompanying study guides for colleges and universities. Thefunding will also allow the organization to focus on leadership development,and expanding QWOCMAP’s community engagement activities and global visibility.
Commissioner Young made the following motion:
Motion to approve recommendations to award three grants totaling$300,000 in the Cultural Equity Initiative Level Two grants category to thefollowing organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs toenter into grant agreements with each for the amounts listed:
Cultural Odyssey, $100,000
Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, $100,000
Radar Productions, $100,000
Motion was approved unanimously.
Ms. Wong gave a brief visual presentation of thevenues of recommended grantees for Creative Space planning and capitalimprovement grants.
CommissionerYoung made the following motion:
Motion to approve recommendations to award twelve grantstotaling $176,315 in the Creative Space grants to the following organizations,and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grantagreements with each for the amounts listed:
509 Cultural Center/The Luggage Store, $18,000
Bindlestiff Studio, $16,000
Cartoon Museum, $11,140
Chinese Cultural Productions/Lily Cai, $16,000
Chinese Culture Foundation, $13,500
Chinese Historical Society, $15,200
CounterPulse, $18,000
Croatian American Cultural Center, $16,000
Intersection for the Arts, $13,500
San Francisco Mime Troupe, $16,875
Women's Audio Mission,$6,100
Z Space, $16,000
Motion was approved unanimously.
To provide context for the motion on the IntrinsicImpact Study, Ms. Wong gave a brief overview of the various studies thatCultural Equity Grants and the Arts Commission were participating in orundertaking, including the California Cultural Data Project, the Bay AreaCultural Assets Mapping Project, the Americans for the Arts’ Economic VitalityStudy, and the various ecology scans. These regional and national studiesprovide data to demonstrate impact of the arts and contribute to more informedpolicy development.
Ms. Wong said that the Intrinsic Impact Study, aproject spearheaded by Theatre Bay Area, would help develop the tools andlanguage to measure and articulate the qualitative impact of arts activities.She introduced Theatre Bay Area’s Executive Director Brad Erickson and Directorof Marketing and Audience Development Clay Lord.
Mr. Erickson provided an overview of the study. Thelargest of its kind, the Intrinsic Impact Study will be designed andadministered by renowned researcher Allan Brown of Wolf-Brown Consulting. Thestudy spans six cities and includes eighteen theaters, and has confirmed leadfunding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Doris Duke Foundation,and local funding partners in each city.
Mr. Ericson explained that the study intends tofind a way to attach real metrics to the deep impact of the arts to demonstratehow important art is to people and communities. The study will help show howthe arts are transforming intellectually, spiritually, and socially. Hecontinued that this would help in advocacy, as well as help artists and artsorganizations to better understand the relationship between their artistic workand how their audiences receive the work.
Commissioner Calloway asked if they haveestablished what they are going to measure and how they are going to measureit. Mr. Lord responded that while this is not the first study of this type, itwould be the largest. The study will be assessing intellectual, emotional andsocial impacts. Commissioner Calloway questioned: how you make what isquantitative qualitative. Mr. Lord explained that a large sample size wasneeded in order to have more data to begin a conversation about standardization.Mr. Erickson followed by explaining that over time, with enough data frompeople taking the surveys, the web tool will be able to aggregate informationacross organizations, ethnicities, age, etc. Organizations will have theability to communicate the story of their impact to their board members,funders, etc. Commissioner Young stated that this is a tremendous protocol andthat sometimes the impact is realized years later. She said she was verycurious to see what will come out of the data.
Commissioner Young the following motion:
Motionto approve a grant for the Intrinsic ImpactStudy in the amount of $10,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enterinto a grant agreement with TheatreBay Area.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Ms. Wong introduced CEG’s final motion to approve astudy of the impact of the Cultural Equity Grants program’s grantmaking and thecurrent state of cultural equity.
Ms. Wong explained that consultants will helpstructure the study, with some of the central questions being: What kind ofimpact has cultural equity grantmaking had in addressing historic fundingdisparities to artists and arts organizations rooted in historicallyunderserved communities? What kinds of grantmaking and technical assistance aremost relevant to address today’s community needs? What does cultural equitylook like today? Ms. Wong said thatDirector of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel has made this a priority and hasallocated funding. She further explained that usually projects allocated fiveto eight percent of their total budget to evaluation, and that since $80,000was on the low side, she would be working with the consultants to appropriatelyscale the project.
A member of the public asked how long the evaluation would take. Ms. Wonganswered that the evaluation is fast-tracked for this fiscal year.
Commissioner Calloway made the following motion:
Motionto approve a grant to the Center for CulturalInnovation for a study of the current state of cultural equity in the arts andan assessment of effective grantmaking practices, and to authorize the Directorof Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement in the amount of $80,000.
Motion was approved unanimously.
2. Community Arts and Education Program DirectorReport
Ms. Nemzoff announced that Ms. Takayama’s promotion had beenapproved and that she was in the process of hiring a part-time accountant and apart-time program associate. Ms. Takayama introduced CAE Intern LaurenFernandez.
Ms. Nemzoff gave an update on developments on Central Market.She said that there would be a workshop at New Conservatory Theatre on Monday,September 27, to inform artists about opportunities on Central Market suchas long- and short-termopportunities for organizations, including capacity and architecturalfeasibility studies, grant opportunities, Art in Storefronts, and an Octoberconference on establishing arts-based spaces. CommissionerCalloway asked for the boundaries of Central Market. He also said he wassensitive to the displacement of people who already inhabit the area. Ms.Nemzoff said that for the purposes of our work with the NEA, Central Market wasdefined by U.N. Plaza to 6th Street. Ms. Nemzoff saidthat representatives from social service organizations and community groups arepart of the planning. Also, unlike other development zones, there will be no razingof the buildings in this area. Ms. Takayama added that sensitivity togentrification is embedded in the Art in Storefronts recruitment, which targetsartists who live or work in the neighborhood.
Ms. Takayama reminded Commissioners that they could help Artin Storefronts move on to the next round of Ashoka’s Changemakers and CommunityMatters program. Inaddition to a cash prize, staff would be exposed to innovative thinkers workingon projects that make positive change. To support the proposal, Commissionerscan go to the following website to register a comment: http://www.changemakers.com/node/89220#comment-29723
3. Cultural Center Report
Ms. Nemzoff reminded Commissioners that funding of the Cultural Centershad changed so that the Centers received a larger advance and the Managementand Programming Plans (“MPP”) were reviewed after the City’s budget had beenpassed.
Ms. Takayama saidthat in her new position, she worked with the Cultural Centerdirectors to build consistency in the way they reported in the MPP and sheappreciated the directors’ extra attention to detail.
Ms. Takayama began her summary of the MPP submitted by Mission Cultural Centerfor Latino Arts. This year will be focused on streamlining and improvingadministrative systems, staff development, and fund development. They willpartner with neighborhood events like Sunday Streets and Mission Market byhaving a booth or performing at the events. They are also partnering with theBay Area Video Coalition (“BAVC”). BAVC will offer staff training so that MCCLAprograms can be broadcast on public television.
Their challenges will be in fundraising, and in building newaudiences and receiving pre-event press. Ms. Takayama said she looked forwardto hearing about their media plan to meet these challenges. Also, before thismotion can go to the full Commission, the MPP’s programming report will need tobe revised to indicate which events listed are in-house productions, which arerentals, and what role MCCLA plays in collaborations.
Commissioner Young said that she appreciated that theinterns were so invested in the organization. She liked that staff would begetting out into the community more to generate interest in the facility. Shealso suggested that MCCLA outsource a publicist who could work with all the CulturalCenters and focus on the high-quality artists.
Ms. Takayama thanked Commissioner Young for her suggestionon shared publicity. With that in mind, she said she plans to produce professionaldevelopment workshops around skill sets that include Cultural Centerstaff. One meeting may be on program development, another on bookkeeping, and anotheron marketing and public relations. Each Cultural Center’sstaff has a great “brain trust,” and these workshops would be an opportunity toshare best practices with their peers, learn from each other, and network in anevening of professional development for middle-level staff. It would also providethe opportunity to discuss modifications in grant reporting to better representthe Cultural Centers’ value and to build consistency in the way each Cultural Center responds to the report forms.
Commissioner Young made thefollowing motion:
Motion to approve the proposed 2010-2011 Management andProgram Plan and budget for the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, for agrant not to exceed $526,067, contingent upon completion of revisions and submissions.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Takayama then discussed the sub-grantees: Asian PacificIslander CulturalCenter (“APICC”) and Queer CulturalCenter (“QCC”). Both saidthey would be focusing on year-round programming and scaling back their festivals,largely due to the end of funding from Grants for the Arts.
APICC are building on their relationship with Kearny StreetWorkshop and are developing other partnerships with KulArts and Asian ImprovArts. These partnerships, along with their year-round programming, will bebetter reflected in their mid-year report. Ms. Takayama said she appreciatedtheir effort to program at the city CulturalCenters, but two of thechallenges mentioned were the increasing rental costs and fiscal sponsorshipfee. While GFTA funds have been cut, APICC already met their revenue target andreceived operational support from the San Francisco Foundation to help themdevelop their individual donor base. Staff also already took Ms. Takayama’sadvice on how to better use Facebook.
Commissioner Draisin noted that sentences in the reportnarrative seemed incomplete. Ms. Takayama said that directors had updated theirreport forms, and what she distributed digitally last week had been cleaned upand will go before the full Commission. Commissioner Draisin said she alsoliked the open call for artists to participate in the United States of AsianAmerica Festival. She thought that could help promote the festival virally. Shesaid the organization’s commitment to artists and arts organizations throughincreased professional development was clear. She noted an expected $500contribution from board members and asked how many board members APICC had.Executive Director Vinay Patel said they had five members, with two more soonto be added. He said the changes made to this year’s MPP were based oncommunity support board meetings and feedback. Mr. Patel introduced Jen Banta.With APICC’s shift to year-round programming, Ms. Banta will shift fromfestival coordinator to program coordinator. He also introduced Lenore Chinn, along-time collaborator with APICC. Ms. Banta said that APICC would be holdingtheir Third Fridays Art Reception at the offices of Supervisors Campos, Avalos,Mirkarimi, and Chiu, and Ms. Chinn’s art work would be exhibited.
Ms. Takayama then presented QCC’s MPP, since the motionincludes both sub-grantees. Like APICC, QCC will develop their year-roundprogramming and trim down the annual festival to focus on quality. They willcontinue their Queer Conversations with California Collegeof the Arts, and are launching the Healthy Communities Program, which addressesLGBT mental health and wellness through the arts. Jeff Jones also conductedgrant writing workshops, which will feed into programming for the Queer ArtsFestival in June. The greatest change is staff restructuring. FestivalCoordinator Beth Pickens has become managing director, and Executive Direct PamPeniston has become artistic director. Development Director Jeff Jones willfocus solely on grant writing and advocacy, and Ms. Pickens will pick up thefinancial and grant management. Ms. Takayama commended this transition plan, asMs. Pickens has been with the organization for several years. Ms. Takayamaconcluded by saying that despite a $22,000 cut from GFTA, QCC has alreadyraised 150 percent of their revenue target.
Commissioner Draisin said that, as always, QCC’s MPP is verythorough. She liked the incentive the festival artists have to market theirperformance by receiving 75 percent of the box office receipts.
Commissioner Young made thefollowing motion:
Motion to approve the proposed 2010-2011 Management and Program Plan andbudget for SOMArts Cultural Center and sub-grantees Asian Pacific IslanderCultural Center and Queer Cultural Center for a grant not to exceed $781,291,contingent upon completion of revisions (including $587,343 to SOMArts, $96,974to sub-grantee Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and $96,974 tosub-grantee Queer Cultural Center).
The motion passed unanimously.
4. WritersCorps Report
Ms. Nemzoff announced that Director of Cultural Affairs LuisR. Cancel appointed Melissa Hung to the permanent position of WritersCorps ProgramManager. She also said the WritersCorps year was about to begin with severalliterary events, including an evening at Red Poppy Art House with musicalperformances and readings from City ofStairways, and participation in Litquake’s Teen Crawl and Lit Crawl.
5. Arts Education ReportMs. Nemzoff said a new aspect of the StreetSmARTS programwould launch on Sunday. The Free Wall pilot program provides free areas where artists can paint.This 8’ x 40’ wall will premiere at Sunday Streets in the WesternAddition on Sunday, September 19.
Four teachers have been hired to continue the Where ArtLives program and will teach at twelve schools. Twenty StreetSmARTS murals willbe painted this year, and an effort will be made to place them in neighborhoodsnear the Where Art Lives schools so the youth can see them. Commissioner Youngsaid she had noticed the Where Art Live posters around town and was proud ofthem.
Ms. Nemzoff also mentioned that applications may now besubmitted for the Vernon Davis Scholarship, and the Arts Providers Alliance ArtsResource Workshop would be held at the African American Art and Culture Complexon Wednesday, September 15.
SFAC is a sponsor of the Conference for Community ArtsEducation produced by the National Guild for Community Arts Education, whichwill be in San Franciscoin November. Ms. Hung will be on a panel to talk about the WritersCorps model.
5. New Business
There was no new business.
6. Adjournment
As there was no furtherbusiness, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
