April 12, 2011
COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTSCOMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 12,2011
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue,Suite 70
The meeting was called to order at 3:10 p.m.
CommissionersPresent: John Calloway, Jessica Silverman, KimberleeStryker, and Sherri Young
Staff Present: Directorof Grants E. San San Wong, Community Arts and Education Program Director JudyNemzoff, Community Arts and Education Program Manager Robynn Takayama,WritersCorps Program Manager Melissa Hung, Cultural Equity Grants ProgramAssociate Jaime Cortez, and Community Arts and Education Program AssociateCristal Fiel
1. Cultural Equity Grants Program Director Report
Director of Grants San SanWong introduced the Native Arts and Cultural Traditions grant program (“NAACT”)that was started four years ago with funding from the Cultural Centers Programoriginally earmarked for a Native American cultural center. Based oninformation from the Native American community, the Arts Commission thoughtthat the Native American community would be better served by getting thefunding directly to Native American organizations and artists, rather than oneorganization. The development of the grants program was informed by a series ofcommunity meetings and Ms. Wong’s research and discussions with severalnational Native American arts organizations and funders. Ms. Wong also designed the grantsprogram as an “entry grant” to CEG’s ongoing core grant programs which have moresecured ongoing funding.
In addition to the grantsprogram, Ms. Wong and Community Arts and Education Program Director JudyNemzoff worked with community members on a feasibility study for an AmericanIndian cultural center. The San Francisco Foundation also provided financialsupport. The feasibility study and its process raised concerns oforganizational capacity, fundraising, and start-up capital funds. A communityleadership committee was formed, however they have not made progress. Ms. Wongand Ms. Nemzoff also have been speaking with a few organizations about thepossibility of co-tenancy in Central Market.
Commissioner Young asked ifthere was one organization strong enough to be the lead. Ms. Wong replied thatno one organization has had enough capacity to shepherd the development of acultural center. Ms. Nemzoff added that part of the intent of the feasibilitystudy and the grant program was to identify organizations that had the capacityto take on the center. The Arts Commission made the decision to transition thefunding to CEG for a one-year period, then a two-year period, and anotherextension of three years. Currently, NAACT is in its fourth year, and NativeAmerican communities now regard this program as an important source of funding.
Commissioner Young mused onthe possibility of having a Native American cultural center that could dispersethe funding to artists and organizations actually doing the work. She expressedan interest in seeing which was more effective in helping the Native artscommunity: distributing funds through the NAACT grants program or giving agrant to a Native American cultural center. Ms. Wong explained that becausefunding was temporarily allocated to CEG, the NAACT program was designed tohelp Native American artists and organizations learn the CEG grant system andtransition into CEG’s ongoing grant programs. This year, CEG also increasedProgram Associate Jaime Cortez’s time in order to provide more technicalassistance. This year, CEG sponsored a presentation and reception with theNative American Arts and Cultures Foundation to introduce this resource to theNative American community. These are all efforts to build capacity within thecommunity.
Mr. Cortez, coordinator ofthe NAACT program, delivered a brief presentation that gave a snapshot of theapplicant pool and panel recommendations for funding this year. He reportedthat the total number of applicants was the same as last year at eighteenapplicants of which there were fourteen new and four returning applicants.Commissioner Young wanted to know why more applicants weren’t returning toapply for grant funds. Mr. Cortez responded that some previous grantees had notturned in final reports; and in other cases, although there seemed to be aninitial level of interest, the reasons are unclear as to why those previousgrantees did not reapply. Commissioner Young asked if CEG held back 10% of thefunding until the final report was submitted. Ms. Wong confirmed that this wasstandard practice.
Mr. Cortez reported that manyapplications were focused on traditional arts and cultural programs; and therewas an increase in media projects. Major themes of projects included: culturalpreservation; increased visibility for Native arts; and the contemporizing ofNative American identity. Mr. Cortez spent a considerable amount of time ontechnical assistance, including: a complex set of issues around eligibility andidentification as a Native American; developing a budget with notes; projectdesign and narrative; and marketing and outreach plans, especially forindividual artists.
Brief presentations weregiven by three applicants recommended for funding: Laura Lehua Yim, IndividualArtist applicant; Roberto Hernandez, Individual Artist applicant; and ZoeGarvin, Director of Research and Evaluation at Friendship House Association ofAmerican Indians Inc., Building Sustainable Arts applicant.
Mr. Hernandez introduced hisproject called Maya 12-12-12. As anadult, he spent many years traveling in Mexico and Nicaragua tracing his familyancestry where he learned about Mayan culture including how to create colorsand how to read the calendar. Working with ten young people throughout theyear, he will educate them on the specifics of Mayan culture including sacredimages, the numeral system, and how to read the Mayan calendar. Ideally,through this knowledge sharing, his students will become educators and sharethe real meaning of the Mayan calendar 12-12-12.
Commissioner Young askedwhere Mr. Hernandez was finding his students. He replied that he finds youngpeople organically and works with youth who have some sort of connection to theart. Commissioner Calloway said that Mr. Hernandez has been an exemplary andhighly visibility community leader for so long that the young people find him.Commissioner Silverman inquired on the nature of the substances used for thecolors. Mr. Hernandez explained that the colors are derived from flowers,trees, minerals, and clay. Commissioner Stryker agreed that the colors werestriking.
Next, Ms. Yim presented aHawaiian chant that she composed representative of the bilingual spoken wordand Hawaiian music she would include in her CD which would be supported by theNAACT grant. As a musician trained in traditional Hawaiian music, Ms. Yim soughtto explore Hawaii’s complex identity. Ms. Nemzoff commented that the work wasbeautiful and the genre extremely powerful.
Lastly, Ms. Garvin presentedimages from cultural events that happened at the Friendship House Associationof American Indians Inc., a major provider of substance abuse and preventiontreatment to youth and adults. The grant will support the institutionalizationof the arts and cultures component of the agency that will include regaliamaking, dancing, drumming and beading. This programming is important for theFriendship House because urban Native American communities feel less connectedto traditional culture and heritage. Two core facets of treatment are toconnect clients to traditional Native culture and to foster a sense of communitywhere there is not a large population. Commissioner Stryker inquired on thenumber of people the organization serves. Ms. Garvin answered that they treated300 people a year. Commissioner Silverman asked where the Friendship House waslocated. Ms. Wong replied that it was near Valencia, between 14thand 15th streets. She also added that it was both a residential anddirect service organization. Mr. Cortez emphasized that it was critical to workwith these types of service agencies, which provide critical arts and cultureprogramming.
Ms. Wong explained that thisgrant category supports a wide diversity of work. In addition to funds from theCultural Centers, CEG adds approximately $20,000 in grant awards, as well ascovers all of the associated technical assistance, professional development,administrative and grants management expenses.
CommissionerCalloway made the following motion:
Motion to approve recommendations to awardthirteen grants totaling $110,395 in the Native American Arts and CulturalTraditions grants program to the following organizations and individualartists, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grantagreements with each for the amounts listed:
IndividualArtists
RobertoHernandez, $7,500
Kapiolani Lee,$2,520
Geri Montano,$7,500
SkyeThorstenson, $7,500
Laura LehuaYim, $7,500
PresentingArts
Seventh NativeAmerican Generation, $7,500
American IndianFilm Institute, $7,125
Yerba BuenaArts and Events, $7,500
Mini Grant
Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu, $1,000
BuildingSustainable Arts
Galería de laRaza, $14,250
FriendshipHouse Association of American Indians, $15,000
The CulturalConservancy, $13,500
OhloneProfiles, $12,000
The motion was approvedunanimously.
In closing, Ms. Wong gave abrief update of the studies that CEG is commissioning: one study examineslandscape of cultural equity in San Francisco and nationally, and the impact ofthe CEG program; and two other studies look at arts and cultural production inthe two fastest growing populations in San Francisco and the US, Asian Americanand Latino communities.
2. Cultural Center Report
Community Arts and Education (“CAE”) Program Manager RobynnTakayama debriefed the bookkeeper meeting held with the Cultural Centersbookkeepers and staff. The bookkeepers dialogued about best practices and standardizingreporting procedures, and shared basic knowledge such as the process forreceiving direct deposits. The meeting was led by Lavette Virden, who has beenbookkeeping for SOMArts Cultural Center (“SOMArts”) for the past ten years.
Ms. Takayama then followed up with an overview of the AfricanAmerican Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”) midyear report. Ms. Takayamareported that AAACC has already met its revenue match for the year, and thereremains a steady increase of audience attendance, artists served,collaborations, rentals, and productions. As a tenant, AAACC does a great job takingcare of the building and finding resources to supplement SFAC’s role as the landlord.AAACC has to update its midyear budget report with more accurate information,but thanks to the bookkeeper meeting, the Cultural Centers have a sharedknowledge of standard reporting procedures.
AAACC Executive Director London Breed explained that themidyear presentation would focus on youth programs, community-wide events,resident artist organizations at AAACC, the visual arts program andaccomplishments, and funding opportunities.
AAACC hosts afterschool programs for youth, primarily teens.Both programs work with at-risk young men and women, teaching them life skillsand engaging them in different types of art, such as ballroom dancing andcreative writing. The programs are meant to develop the skills of these teensto serve as productive members of society.
Public service events included a District 5 clean-up wheresome of the youth were able to perform, a holiday fair, and tree planting. Ms.Breed reported that there were so many volunteers for these differentengagements that they had to turn some people away.
Ms. Breed reported that resident art organizations like theAfrican-American Shakespeare Company and AfroSolo Theatre Company have heldgreat programming this past half-year, such as AfroSolo’s annual festival inAugust. African-American Shakespeare Company’s most recent production of TwelfthNight has been a huge success.
Ms. Breed told the Committee that the visual artsprogramming of AAACC has worked hard to showcase art and artists of the Africandiaspora. At their Fela Kutiexhibition, AAACC sold its highest piece ever, at $4,500. AAACC is building upits reputation as a place where people can observe and buy artwork. Ms. Breedsaid there have been so many people visiting the gallery that some come lookingfor shows after the exhibitions have closed.
In terms of funding accomplishments, Ms. Breed reported thatAAACC had received a contribution from AT&T of $50,000 toward their youthprogramming. Ms. Breed told the Committee that she was confident they would receivethe same contribution next year. The staff continues to work hard to fundraise,on top of managing the center and working with the youth. Ms. Breed assured theCommittee that the AAACC never goes after more money than they can manage, andhave actually had to turn down some funding opportunities because they did nothave the capacity. AAACC works to focus on sustainability and consistentlymatching SFAC’s goals.
Ms. Breed explained that AAACC oftentimes gives space forfree or reduced amounts to arts organizations without the sufficient funds.When renters are unable to meet their expected revenue numbers, AAACC absorbsthe remaining numbers into their own budget. Ms. Breed told the Committee thatAAACC is currently in the process of capturing those numbers for better budgetreporting. Facility expenses are huge compared to the other Cultural Centers,since AAACC has the most square feet. Ms. Breed explained that regardless ofexpenses, AAACC is able to sustain itself and continue to do the work they do.
Commissioner Calloway commended Ms. Breed and AAACC fortheir report and presentation, for the great shows being produced, and theirincrease in audience numbers. He noted that one of the challenges the AAACC facesis the changing dynamic of the surrounding community. Commissioner Callowayasked: With less African Americans present in District 5, how was the centerdealing with the change in numbers? He would like to see AAACC increase itsoutreach capacity to the surrounding area and to address the challenges ofworking with youth that are disenfranchised and cynical.
Commissioner Calloway remarked that he was amazed by theparticipation of youth in the programs, and their openness to activities suchas ballroom dance. He said that AAACC has met its midyear goals in terms ofwhat they intended to get done, but they continue to struggle with buy-in fromstudents reluctant to get involved, as well as the changing community.
Ms. Breed explained that most of the funding for their youthprograms comes from the Department of Children, Youth, & Their Families(“DCYF”), the Department of Justice, and other sources, as opposed to SFAC.
Commissioner Calloway remarked that he would like the centerto find ways to increase class offerings, but he understands that it isdifficult to find funding and develop the capacity for the center to increaseclasses.
Commissioner Stryker remarked that she had visited thecenter to see Twelfth Night and the photo exhibition. She said that thecenter is a glowing beacon in the neighborhood, and a welcoming place forpeople to visit.
Commissioner Calloway asked if AAACC produces showsdirectly. Ms. Breed explained that the resident arts organizations produceshows in the center, and AAACC does what it can to keep production costs low.
AfroSolo Artistic Director Thomas Simpson made a publiccomment that AAACC continues to grow to become an amazing center for art andcommunity. He commended AAACC for being on a trajectory toward greater productions,arts, and community events. The community has really embraced the space astheir own, and the resident art organizations are grateful of the support ofAAACC staff. In terms of funding, Mr. Simpson explained that although funds forAfroSolo are tight, AAACC helps to keep costs low. He congratulated AAACC andSFAC for all their efforts.
3. WritersCorps Report
WritersCorps Program Manager Melissa Hung gave a report of WritersCorps’progress in the year thus far. Ms. Hung told the Committee that there arecurrently six WritersCorps teaching artists with many accomplishments such aspublications and awards. Teaching artists are paid a living wage and receive regular,individual training. Due to funding cuts, the number of teaching artists hasgone down from previous years; the program is accustomed to having eight toeleven different teachers.
WritersCorps has served approximately 700 students this year, ages 6through 22. About 60 percent of the students fall in the range of 14 through17. In the past, WritersCorps has been able to serve more elementary school-agechildren, but has focused mainly on serving the teen population due to budgetcuts. According to Ms. Hung, more than half of the students of WritersCorpsspeak a language other than English. WritersCorps has served approximately16,700 students since it first began in 1994.
Ms. Hung reported that WritersCorps currently serves ten different sites,including: Aptos Middle School, Downtown High School, Mission High School, the MainLibrary, Hilltop School, International Studies Academy, Visitacion ValleyElementary, WritersCorps Apprentices, and the Excelsior district library. Thisyear, teaching artist Anhvu Buchanan is working with the Juvenile JusticeCenter. According to Ms. Hung, depending on the site, WritersCorps programmingand classes run throughout the academic school year.
Ms Hung reported that much of WritersCorps comes from the library andDCYF. Ms. Hung told the Committee that she anticipates that the funding fornext year will stay the same. WritersCorps has been working on ways tosupplement funding cuts by applying for more grants, but grant income can beunstable. City funding for WritersCorps has dropped since its peak in 2007–2008.
Highlights from this year include receiving the National Arts andHumanities Youth Program Award, which was presented at the White House by FirstLady Michelle Obama. This year, WritersCorps will hold the first-ever PoetryProjection Project, where filmmakers of all ages enter a contest to produce ashort film inspired by the writings of WritersCorps students. The PoetryProjection Project film festival will be held at Mission Cultural Center forLatino Arts (“MCCLA”) on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Special guest juror andlocal filmmaker Peter Bratt will be in attendance to announce the winners ofhis favorite films.
In addition, WritersCorps will soon launch the publication of differentsite projects including books, poster series, and chapbooks with a reading eventon May 11, 2011 at the Main Library. WritersCorps will also be featured in a 30-secondpublic service announcement to be shown at a San Francisco Giants game on June8, 2011.
Goals for the 2011–2012 fiscal year include having seven teachers,serving 800 youth, increasing funding, and increasing visibility. Ms. Hung toldthe Committee that since WritersCorps is a small program within the City, theprogram tends to struggle with visibility. WritersCorps has worked oncapitalizing their award from the White House. Ms. Hung called on theCommissioners for help to recruit advisory board members to broaden visibilityand make plans for the twentieth anniversary.
Commissioner Calloway remarked that he is happy to see that Downtown HighSchool is a site for WritersCorps, and that it is great to see their work inpublication form. CAE Program Director Judy Nemzoff added that the publicationsgive the students a sense of pride. Commissioner Young agreed that having hard-copypublications are incredibly valuable in this digital era.
Ms. Nemzoff remarked that transporting youth and keeping them safe forevents and field trips is an issue that is constantly being addressed.
Commissioner Young congratulated Ms. Hung for her excellent work and herpromotion to program manager.
4. Community Arts and Education Program DirectorReport
Ms. Nemzoff presented a brief overview of the CulturalCenter facilities, explaining to the Committee that as requested, thepresentation would frame ongoing monthly presentations about the needs of thefacilities.
Ms. Nemzoff reported that the SFAC receives $75,000 annuallyfrom the Capital Committee to provide maintenance and repair needs for the fourbuildings. In addition, a portion of the SFAC Hotel Tax Fund pays for elevatormaintenance, life safety systems, a stationary engineer, facilities maintenance,and repair of the Cultural Centers. Over the years, the funding toward theCultural Centers’ maintenance and repair has dwindled, as have staff positionsthat support the properties. While the City contributes $1.61 per square footto maintain the Cultural Centers, the Department of Real Estate allots anaverage of $15 per square foot to maintain other City-owned buildings,
Ms. Nemzoff said that other City departments havecontributed funding to address major capital improvements of the CulturalCenters. The Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) has given funding for HVACsystems and electrical upgrades to AAACC, MCCLA, and SOMArts. The Mayor’sOffice on Disability (“MOD”) has contributed funds to make ADA-accessiblerenovations to AAACC, with the hopes that Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”) andSOMArts will receive funding for ADA renovations next fiscal year. The Mayor’sOffice of Community Development has funded BVOH for facilities renovations, andBayview Opera House is about to receive funds from the Redevelopment Agency tocomplete the plaza and interior building ADA renovations.
Ms. Nemzoff told the Committee that the tenant organizationsof the Cultural Centers are currently on one-year leases, with the goal toenter into long-term leases. Ms. Takayama clarified that the leases must complywith the audit and are supposed to be updated annually and released inconjunction with the grant agreement. The current fiscal year leases have notbeen updated because the City Attorney’s office has not had the time tocomplete them.
Ms. Nemzoff told the Committee that the Cultural Centershave a property value estimated between $60 and $80 million. There is nofull-time City staff working on Cultural Center management. Ms. Nemzoff and Ms.Takayama work on Cultural Center management part-time. A full-time CulturalCenter building and grounds position was eliminated and a part- time stationaryengineer now serves the centers.
By requirements of the lease and grant agreement, the tenantorganizations must allocate funding for one full-time facility staff member ateach center and are required to maintain the properties to a high standard.Based on data gathered from the last year’s Cultural Center reports, the centersspend between 20 to 25 percent of their HTF grant on building maintenance andrepair, the equivalent to $80,000 to $100,000 per center. The tenantorganizations are leveraging additional for major capital improvements.
Commissioner Young asked what the additional funding figuresat the centers include. Ms. Nemzoff said this included a minimum of one full-timefacility manager, custodians, and ongoing maintenance and repair needs. Ms.Takayama observed that each center alone is spending more than what SFACreceives annually for maintenance and repair of the four facilities.
In total, the Cultural Centers need almost $5 million forbasic life safety facilities improvements. Current projects would include therepair of the BVOH south wall and roof system replacement at AAACC, MCCLA, andSOMArts.
Ms. Nemzoff told the Committee that there are many questionsstill to be addressed, but she would put together update reports about theprocess and progress of facilities improvements for CAEG Committee meetings.She remarked that these consistent updates will be a platform for conversationand brainstorming for facilities improvements.
Commissioner Young asked if the Cultural Centers are not incompliance by not having the basic safety and capital needs for the tenants.Ms. Nemzoff said that the centers meet required fire and alarm safety but thatmost of the centers are not in compliance because of the lack of ADA accessibility.In the past, BVOH has been sited for non-ADA access. The water damage to thesouth wall of BVOH is a potentially threatening situation because of thelikelihood that the wall is structurally unsound. Director of Programs JillManton will be presenting before the Capital Committee to request funds forthis and other facilities needs.
Commissioner Stryker remarked that the City is not being thebest landlord if it is not in compliance with its own lease agreement.Commissioner Young added that as public spaces, attention should be given tothe life safety systems upgrades of the Cultural Centers, as the City isputting the public in life-threatening situations.
Ms. Nemzoff reported that she is in the process of puttingtogether comparison figures for the maintenance of cultural buildings in othermajor cities, such as Los Angeles and New York.
Commissioner Young remarked that in an ideal situation, theCity staff would maintain the buildings and the tenant organizations wouldfocus on programming. As landlord, the City should be maintaining the buildingsto make them more accessible to the public. The City should put in time andallocate more funding for these public centers.
Commissioner Stryker asked if it was appropriate to havemore staff time set aside to develop a plan. Staff would offer alternatives andthe Committee can weigh in.
Commissioner Young said she would discuss the idea of anevaluation and report of best practices regarding facilities improvements withDirector of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel and Commissioner P.J. Johnston.
Commissioner Stryker asked if a fundraiser could be set upfor the maintenance and repair of the Cultural Centers. This would raiseawareness of the issue and potentially bring in funders who would not normallycare about such an issue. Ms. Nemzoff said that SFAC created ArtCare to supportthe efforts to support Collections. Commissioner Young remarked that this is anissue that needs more information and she would consult with Director Canceland Commissioner Johnston.
5. Arts EducationReport
There was no report presented.
6. New Business
Ms. Takayama reminded the Committee that the launch ofCentral Market Art in Storefronts would be on Friday, May 13, 5–7 p.m. A pressrelease will be distributed soon.
7. Adjournment
Meetingadjourned at 5:16 p.m.
