City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

September 13, 2010

Full Commission - September 13, 2010

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, September 13, 2010
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416


Minutes

President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
 

  1. Roll Call
    Commissioners Present
    P.J. Johnston, President
    JD Beltran
    Mark Breitenberg
    John Calloway
    Gregory Chew
    Leo Chow
    Amy Chuang
    Lorraine García-Nakata
    Barbara Sklar
    Cass Calder Smith
    Kimberlee Stryker
    Sherri Young
    Ron Miguel, ex officio


    Commissioners Absent
    Maya Draisin, Vice President
    Sherene Melania
    Jessica Silverman
     
  2. Approval of Minutes
    RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-217:
    Motion to approve August 2, 2010 Minutes.

     
  3. President’s Report
    President Johnston recalled that at the last meeting, with a full complement on the Commission, he had announced new committee assignments, and he thanked Commissioners for jumping into their new roles so enthusiastically. He said that Mr. Cancel would talk at more length about this, but he wanted to highlight the Gallery’s upcoming Passport fundraising event on October 10. He predicted that it would be an exciting and innovative way to see new artists. He explained that participants will purchase a passport booklet and can attend a couple of events and visit a number of locations where they’ll be able to get their passports stamped with original art stamps. He described the event as a whirlwind tour of artists and artists’ spaces, benefiting the Arts Commission’s Gallery. He urged Commissioners to encourage friends, family and associates to attend, and suggested that each Commissioner buy at least four passports. He thought it was good to support the Commission’s own events, particularly one as lively as this.

    President Johnston reported that along with Mr. Cancel, Director of Programs Jill Manton, Gallery Director Meg Shiffler, Gallery board members, artists and other arts supporters, he attended a meeting of the War Memorial Board of Trustees. He explained that their board, which oversees the War Memorial complex on Van Ness opposite City Hall, is launching a massive renovation program for the Veterans Building. He explained that the Arts Commission presented a plan for an expanded Arts Commission Gallery space—a welcoming space on the first floor—and offices for the Arts Commission. President Johnston reported that the board received the proposal very favorably, and unanimously approved the concept. He recalled that the Arts Commission has been looking for a permanent home, for the Gallery and offices together, since 1997, when the final decision was made that the Grove Street space had been rendered uninhabitable after the Loma Prieta earthquake. He congratulated Ms. Shiffler for putting together and presenting such a strong proposal for the War Memorial board, and he noted that the Trustees were excited as well.

    Finally, President Johnston reported that Mr. Cancel and Commissioner García-Nakata were finishing up their service on the National Museum of the American Latino Commission (“NMAL”). He reported that several of the Arts Commissioners attended the reception for the NMAL at the de Young Museum when they met in San Francisco, and he thanked Commissioner Calloway for a great performance with his band at the reception. President Johnston found the NMAL’s presentation very interesting, and was pleased to host them in San Francisco, with such an enthusiastic crowd. He noted that the NMAL’s twenty-four commissioners were drawn from around the country, and the fact that two were from the San Francisco Arts Commission testified to the high profile of Mr. Cancel and of Commissioner García-Nakata, and of the stature of this city’s Arts Commission nationally. He thanked them for their work, and for representing the Commission as a good steward of the arts.


  4. Director’s Report
    Mr. Cancel was also very pleased with the outcome of the recent meeting of the War Memorial Board. He said that the issue of finding a permanent home for the collection and the Gallery took a major step forward with their decision. He explained that the proposal called for 16,000 square feet of space, housing all of the agency’s staff, with a major ground-floor space, at least 4,000 square feet, for the Gallery. This will also finally provide safe museum-quality facilities for the City’s Civic Collection, valued at some $90 million. The plan also calls for additional public meeting space in the War Memorial Veterans Building. Mr. Cancel reminded Commissioners that the building currently houses the main Gallery space as well as the Green Room, where past Mayor’s Art Award events have been held. He explained that the building will be undergoing a major renovation, including seismic retrofitting, with planning beginning in January, 2011, and construction beginning in January, 2013. The current plan calls for the Arts Commission to be able to move in by the spring of 2015. Mr. Cancel thanked Ms. Shiffler and President Johnston for their team effort in making the presentation to the War Memorial Board. He added that the trustees were very excited by the Arts Commission proposal; they want to activate the building, and believe the Gallery will do that. He also liked the idea that in the expanded Art Gallery, there would be a small but important footprint for Civic Collection display. Mr. Cancel indicated that finding a long-term solution to the Arts Commission’s space problem had been one of his highest priorities since he arrived and he feels that of all of the options he had explored, the partnership with the War Memorial Board was the best outcome. Mr. Cancel promised periodic reports on planning, and said that he was very pleased to share this historic milestone with the Commission.

    Mr. Cancel invited Ms. Shiffler to discuss the Gallery’s Passport fundraising event. Ms. Shiffler showed Commissioners an example of the passport, a small Moleskine journal donated through Chronicle Books. She described the event as a do-it-yourself public art collecting experience, held in a different neighborhood each year; this year it will be held in Hayes Valley. She explained that the blank passports can be purchased for $25, and she noted that last year’s stamped passports are selling for $200. The event will take place on 10/10/10, October 10, 2010. She added that in addition to the regular $25 passport, the Gallery will offer a limited number of “concierge” passports, which Gallery staff will stamp will all of the artists’ stamps.

    Ms. Shiffler explained that the kickoff party will be held at the Rickshaw Stop. There will be a map of the various locations, with an artist stamp at each location. This year, the artists represented include Nigel Poor and the estate of Richard Diebenkorn. Ms. Shiffler explained that 2009 was the first year for this event, which replaced the auction that the Gallery held in previous years. She thought that, although auctions can work well, she prefers not to use artists’ products to make money for the Gallery, believing that it undercuts their value. Last year, she said, Passport raised $6,000, and this year’s goal is $10,000.

    Mr. Cancel turned to the historic preservation easement for Bayview Opera House, listed in the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee’s Committee Reports below. He explained that language for the easement has been worked out with the City Attorney’s office, and the easement will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission, and then to the Board of Supervisors for final review and approval.

    Mr. Cancel introduced Bayview Opera House Executive Director Barbara Ockel, who showed photos of the work done on the building. Ms. Ockel said that it had been a long haul, beginning in March. The original deadline for completing the work was May, but the deadline was extended to July 31. The Opera House’s summer program was moved outdoors to accommodate the extensive work inside the building. The major projects involved restoration of the historic proscenium and restoration of the floors. The proscenium was nicked and flaking, with plaster separated in some areas. Architectural Resources Group (“ARG”) did the restoration work, including repainting. Ms. Ockel explained that the floors in the auditorium, the office, the stairways, landings and the stage all required work. Some areas had been covered by linoleum containing 50% asbestos and held together by duct tape. An asbestos abatement company was hired to remove the asbestos. The plywood floor was removed, revealing the 1898 floor below. Ms. Ockel said that most of the original floor was able to be restored, and that fortunately, the stage didn’t have to be torn out. She showed several before-and-after photographs, and explained that about 80% of the original floor was retained and beautifully restored. The remaining boards were unusable and were replaced with similar new wood. She said that there were seismic upgrades, that ugly treads and linoleum in the stairways were removed, and she showed children’s mural tiles which are now installed on the stair risers. She thanked the Commission and hoped that they would approve the easement.

    Mr. Cancel recalled that Janet Heller had resigned as WritersCorps Project Manager, after a personal leave of a few months. During all that time, Melissa Hung has served as acting Project Manager for WritersCorps. Mr. Cancel was pleased to announce that Ms. Hung has been permanently appointed to the position of WritersCorps Project Manager. He expressed confidence that she was fully up to the task.

    Ms. Hung thanked Mr. Cancel, and explained that she has been at the Arts Commission for four years, and that she was pleased to help do some exciting things, building on the legacy of the program, and working with fabulous poets, playwrights and writers. She noted that this year’s activities began early because the school district started the school year earlier. She announced several events this fall, including a reading of City of Stairways at Red Poppy Art House on September 23, and the Litquake Lit Crawl on October 9. She promised another exciting announcement soon, and looked forward to sharing news about the program throughout the year.

    Mr. Cancel reminded Commissioners that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a grant to San Francisco for the mid-Market arts district. He explained that as part of that project, three artists would create light installations for the district, and he announced that one of the artists would collaborate with teens in the WritersCorps program to incorporate some of their words into the installation.

    Mr. Cancel explained, for the benefit of newer Commissioners, that the Arts Commission has been playing a key role in helping the Mexican Museum restart their operations, and is serving as fiduciary for the Redevelopment Agency’s funds for the Museum. He was pleased to announce the achievement of a significant milestone in the resurrection of the Museum, the appointment of Jonathan Yorba as the new executive director of the Mexican Museum. Mr. Cancel thanked Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Fred Blackwell, Fine Arts Museums Executive Director John Buchanan, Contemporary Jewish Museum Executive Director Connie Wolf, Carmen Castellano, President of the Castellano Family Foundation, Mexican Museum board Co-Chairs Mario Diaz and Nora Wagner, and board member Victor Marquez, all of whom served with him on the search committee. Mr. Cancel explained that Mr. Yorba had previously served as the director of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and added that he looked forward to spending less time on the Museum once Mr. Yorba arrives.

    Mr. Cancel thanked Commissioner Calloway for his extraordinary performance, energizing the reception at the de Young Museum for the visiting members of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission.

    Commissioner Calloway thanked Mr. Cancel and Commissioners, adding that the other artists performing with him that evening also appreciated their compliments.

    Mr. Cancel announced that he would miss the October meeting of the Commission, as he would be away on vacation.

    Ms. Manton added that Commissioners have received a roster of the San Francisco Symphony concerts produced with the Arts Commission, and that she would like to have a Commissioner volunteer to speak at each one. President Johnston concurred, adding that it is a memorable experience to speak from the stage at Davies Symphony Hall. Ms. Manton added that there is a new focus on branding the concerts with the Arts Commission’s name; there will be a table staffed by the Arts Commission at each of these concerts.

    President Johnston distributed the 2011 meeting schedule, and the revised 2010 meeting schedule.

    Mr. Cancel reported on Arts Forum 2010, held August 17 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, for candidates running for office in San Francisco. He explained that the cultural community came together over the summer to create an event to give all the candidates a comprehensive presentation on why the arts are important to San Francisco. He reported that there were several local speakers, and a keynote speech from Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts, who discussed the research on the influence of the arts on the economy. The forum presented information district by district on enterprises and businesses affected by the arts. Mr. Cancel reported that 70% of the registered candidates appeared, and that the forum was very effective.

    President Johnston added that he had heard from several people, including some candidates, that this was a must-see event. He noted that in the past, the Arts Democratic Club would have presented an event like this, but this forum was less partisan and more professional. Mr. Cancel added that not only were there many candidates, but they were met by a room packed full of constituents.

     
  5. Consent Calendar
    RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-218:

    Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

    Approval of Committee Minutes Item two of the agenda was withdrawn. The remaining items were adopted as follows.

    1. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-219: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of July 19, 2010.
       
    2. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-220: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education, and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2010.
       
    3. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-221: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2010.
       
    4. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-222: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of August 23, 2010.
       
      Community Arts, Education, and Grants Committee Recommendations (August 10, 2010)
    5. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-223: Motion to approve the following individuals as grants application review panelists for Cultural Equity Grants:
      Anushka Fernandopulle, nonprofit, public, and corporate sector consultant, leadership coach and facilitator
      Nadine Ghammache, Director of Individual and Community Giving; La Peña Cultural Center
      Karen Kwan, Institutional Gifts Officer; Community School of Music and Arts Mountain View
      Jeremy Liu, Executive Director; East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC)
      Byron Johnson, Senior Project Director; CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
      Sharon Maidenberg, Executive Director; Headlands Center for the Arts
      Lourdes Portillo, filmmaker
       
    6. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-224: Motion to approve the Bayview Opera House 2010-2011 Management and Program Plan and grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $312,705, pending any required changes.
       
    7. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-225: Motion to approve the SOMArts Cultural Center 2010-2011 Management and Program Plan and grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $587,343, pending any required changes.
       
      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (August 18, 2010)
    8. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-226: Motion to increase Charles Sowers’ contract DPAR10000107 for design and fabrication of artwork at the San Francisco International Airport, Terminal Two by an amount not to exceed $43,000 for additional costs of designing and fabricating the artwork display case.
       
    9. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-227: Motion to approve San Francisco General Hospital Community Mural Project, a 7' x 211' painted mural on the San Francisco General Hospital (“SFGH”) construction fence line. The mural will be painted by Precita Eyes artists Susan Cervantes, Marina Perez-Wong and Marta Ayala, SFGH staff and outpatients, and Buena Vista Elementary School students. The mural will be painted on October 2, 2010 at the SFGH Community Mural “Paint-In.”
       
    10. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-228: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Anna Valentina Murch for design, fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of artwork for the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit Plaza in an amount not to exceed $460,730.
       
    11. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-229: Motion to approve the revised design by Eric Powell for artwork pedestrian gate for Cayuga Playground relative to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliance.
       
    12. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-230: Motion to approve the proposed gift to the City of a statue of Harry Bridges, designed by Bruce Wolfe for placement in Harry Bridges Plaza, from the Committee for Harry Bridges Plaza, contingent on progressive design approvals and establishment of a reasonable Arts Commission administrative fee and maintenance endowment.
       
    13. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-231: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contractual relationship with Mr. Shannon Green for an honorarium in the amount of $10,240. Mr. Green will conduct research and provide administrative support for the 2010-2011 season of exhibitions at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery. Mr. Green will be conducting his work from October, 2010 through May, 2011.
       
    14. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-232: Motion to approve two-dimensional artworks by 40 artists recommended by the Laguna Honda Artist Selection Panel for purchase for resident floors, patient rooms and clinic rooms of Laguna Honda Hospital.
       
    15. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-233: Motion to approve final color palette for Janet Echelman sculptures for San Francisco International Airport, Terminal Two.
       
    16. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-234: Motion to approve the artist Colette Crutcher as recommended by the Chinese Recreation Center Panel to create exterior artwork for the Chinese Recreation Center.
       
    17. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-235: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with the selected artist, Colette Crutcher, to create exterior artwork for the Chinese Recreation Center as recommended by the Chinese Recreation Center Panel, for an amount not to exceed $38,000.
       
    18. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-236: Motion to approve the artist Rebar for the SOMA West-McCoppin Garden Public Art Project; as recommended by the SOMA West Selection Panel.
       
    19. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-237: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with artist Rebar for design and fabrication of artwork for the SOMA West-McCoppin Garden project in an amount not to exceed $51,000.
       
    20. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-238: Motion to approve Charles Sowers’ revised design for Windswept at the Randall Museum, which has the panels flush with the building wall as per the Randall Museum’s request.
       
    21. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-239: Motion to approve the Artist Selection Panel’s recommendation of the following artists as finalists for the interior mural opportunity associated with the renovation of the Palega Recreation Center: Jeffery Long, Kelly Ording, and Scott Oliver, with alternate artist team Kate Connell and Oscar Melara.
       
    22. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-240: Motion to approve the artist selection panel’s recommendation of the following artists as finalists for the outdoor artwork opportunity associated with the renovation of the Palega Recreation Center: Peter Richards, Scott Oliver, and Rebar, with alternate Michael Arcega.
       
    23. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-241: Motion to approve clay models by Tom Otterness (for Mother with Children sculpture, four two-foot tall Hearts sculptures and three one-foot tall Hearts sculptures) and to authorize fabrication of bronze sculptures for the San Francisco General Hospital Potrero Avenue Plaza and Walkway.
       
    24. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-242: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables with revisions per Visual Arts Committee recommendations for light court windows and curved glass element designs and art glass fabrication technique sample for art glass projects on Floor 3 of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Mildred Howard.
       
    25. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-243: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables for light court windows and curved glass element designs and art glass fabrication technique sample for art glass projects on Floor 4 of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Stephen Galloway.
       
    26. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-244: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables with revisions per Visual Arts Committee recommendations for light court windows and curved glass element designs and art glass fabrication technique sample for art glass projects on Floor 5 of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Nancy Blum.
       
    27. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-245: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables for light court windows designs and art glass fabrication technique sample for art glass projects on Floor 6 (two windows) of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Arthur Stern.
       
    28. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-246: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables with revisions per Visual Arts Committee recommendations for light court windows and curved glass element designs and art glass fabrication technique samples for art glass projects on Floor 6 (two windows and one curved glass element) of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Julio Cesar Morales.
       
    29. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-247: Motion to approve the design development phase deliverables with revisions per Visual Arts Committee recommendations for light court windows and curved glass element designs and art glass fabrication technique samples for art glass projects on Floor 7 of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit by Alan Masaoka.
       
      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (August 23, 2010)
    30. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-248: Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the Union Square ADA Remediation with the contingency of revising the signage locations to be on concrete or granite, revising the cane guides to be more in line with the design vocabulary of the handrail, and making the concrete cane guides flush across.
       
    31. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-249: Motion to approve Phase 3 of General Hospital with the contingency that if there are changes to the design, the project should return to Civic Design Review.
       
      Street Artists Committee Recommendations (September 8, 2010)
    32. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-250: Motion to approve Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners screening criteria for “Slumped/Flattened Bottles and Labels”; implementation of criteria to commence thirty (30) days after approval by full Arts Commission:

      Recommended criteria:
      (a) A raw commercially-manufactured bottle must be cleaned, prepared, slumped, and finished by the street artist.
      (b) The bottle must show a substantial or significant transformation of its commercial elements by the artist.
      (c) A bottle’s commercial label or applied images which are not created by the artist must be substantially altered to reflect significant input by the artist to the item as a whole. If the artist does not significantly alter the label or applied images, the artist may embellish the bottle itself; but the embellishment must visually outweigh the unaltered commercial label or images.
       
    33. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-251: Motion to authorize Program Director to request Board of Supervisors continuation of designation of plaza located at 17th Street and Castro Street as an area for street artists, with the exception of certain days in which the plaza shall be used exclusively for a street fair such as the Castro Street Fair or Castro CBD-sponsored events.
       
    34. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-252: Motion to approve recommendation of Street Artists Liaison Committee meeting of August 11, 2010: Recommendation for Arts Commission to request street artist selling spaces on Port of San Francisco property adjacent to Pier 33 and Pier 35.

       
  6. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
    1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      1. President Johnston reported that the Committee did not meet, partly to accommodate a scheduling change for the Civic Design Review Committee. He said that he had already discussed most of the pressing issues. He congratulated Mr. Cancel and the other members of the search committee on the hiring of Mr. Yorba, acknowledging that it had been a long process. President Johnston admitted that when Mr. Cancel initially proposed stepping forward to work with the Mexican Museum, he had reservations. Now, though they have not reached the end, he saw this as a major milestone. President Johnston said that the October meeting of the Executive Committee would be significant because of the first report on the strategic plan.

        Turning to the following motion, President Johnston asked Mr. Cancel to discuss the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”) grant for mid-Market. Mr. Cancel said that passage of the motion was important to enable the Commission to send to the Board of Supervisors an accept/expend resolution allowing the agency to spend the funds awarded by the NEA. He explained that the project has a very large coalition of some seventeen organizations, several of which are receiving small amounts of the funds. The project is intended to have a positive impact on the mid-Market corridor over the next eighteen months.

        Mr. Cancel explained that the second motion below will authorize Arts Commission POPS funds as matching funds for the same NEA grant.

        President Johnston presented the following motions.
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO.0913-10-253: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into agreements totaling up to $250,000 (the “NEA Funding”) for the Mid-Market Arts partnership established with the National Endowment for the Arts Mayors’ Institute on City Design (NEA MICD25) grant award and to work with Arts Commission staff to develop and determine the final spending priorities and allocations of the NEA Funding to carry out the following key programmatic elements: Lighting design fabrications, installations and project management; Mid-Market arts organizations’ programming; Art in Storefronts; space feasibility studies; and marketing, and requesting periodic reports from the Director of Cultural Affairs and/or his or her designee(s) regarding the progress of the project and status of expenditures.
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-254: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to allocate up to $25,000 from the 28POP501 fund account to be spent as matching funds for the National Endowment for the Arts Mayors’ Institute on City Design (NEA MICD25) grant award to help support the lighting design, marketing and space assessment components of the project.
         
    2. Civic Design Review Committee—Cass Calder Smith, Chair
      1. Since Commissioner Smith had been unable to attend the Committee’s last meeting, he asked Commissioner Chow to make the report. He reported that the Committee welcomed Commissioner Breitenberg, who jumped in with both feet. Commissioner Chow reported that the most significant project reviewed by the Committee was the Central Subway, with three stations proposed, each having a significant visual art component. The Committee asked for some modifications. He added that this was a major public project that would begin in the not-too-distant future.

        Commissioner Chow presented the following motion. He explained that the Municipal Transportation Agency has a sales and ticketing kiosk at Hyde and Beach Streets, which they want to move to Geary Boulevard and Masonic Avenue. He recommended approval of the motion.

        President Johnston requested a joint presentation of the Central Subway project to the full Commission at a future meeting.
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-255: Motion to approve the location change and siting of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency kiosk from Hyde Street to Geary and Masonic.
         
    3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Maya Draisin, Chair
      1. In the absence of Vice President Draisin, Commissioner Calloway made the report. He reported that the Committee discussed the Cultural Centers, and Director of Grants San San Wong gave an overview of the Cultural Equity Grants program. He said that the Committee discussed who is being served, and how the community is changing. Commissioner Calloway explained that the Committee reviewed the Cultural Centers’ reports, noting that they have an increasing number of partnerships with other organizations. He reported that the Committee was pleased to learn that Where Art Lives would continue.

        Commissioner Calloway introduced the following motions, explaining that the first was to authorize the hiring of the last two WritersCorps teachers needed for the year.
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-256: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the following teaching artists to work in the WritersCorps program for 2010-2011:

        Anhvu Buchanan, $32,400
        Meg Day, $32,400


        Commissioner Young recused herself from the following discussion and motion regarding the African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”), and left the meeting room.

        Commissioner Calloway reported that he had been working closely with AAACC. He reported that they had been overwhelmed in the summer with twice the usual number of children participating in their programs, because so many other organizations have lost funding. He said that the center is a full-service organization working with youth, and he is proud of them.

        Commissioner Beltran added that Ms. Ockel has done a fantastic job at Bayview Opera House.

        Commissioner Calloway presented the following motion, which was approved unanimously, with Commissioner Young recusing herself from the vote.
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-257: Motion to approve the African American Art and Culture Complex 2010-2011 Management and Program Plan and grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $477,827, pending any required changes.
         
      4. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-258: Motion to authorize the San Francisco Arts Commission to enter into a 50-year preservation easement with San Francisco Architectural Heritage, a California nonprofit corporation, to protect the historical features of the Bayview Opera House.

        Resolution authorizing the San Francisco Arts Commission to grant a temporary preservation easement affecting the Bayview Opera House to the San Francisco Architectural Heritage.

        WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco (the “City”) owns the real property located at 4705 Third Street in San Francisco, California, which is under the jurisdiction of the City’s Arts Commission; and

        WHEREAS, The City, acting by and through the Arts Commission, leases the building located on such property and commonly known as the Bayview Opera House (the “Building”) to Bayview Opera House, Inc., a California nonprofit corporation (“Tenant”), pursuant to a Lease dated for reference purposes only as of July 1, 2009; and

        WHEREAS, Tenant has received a $197,535 grant from the National Park Service (“NPS”) pursuant to Grant Agreement No. 06-04-ML-0099 (the “NPS Grant”), and Tenant has used the NPS Grant funds to perform certain Building improvement work; and

        WHEREAS, The NPS Grant requires that a 50-year preservation easement protecting the historical building features of the Building (the “Easement”) be granted to the San Francisco Architectural Heritage, a California nonprofit corporation (“SFAH”), which is authorized and qualified to accept charitable gifts or easements for the purpose of preserving buildings, structures, or sites of historical, architectural or cultural significance; and

        WHEREAS, The NPS Grant requires that the Building be nominated to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and Tenant submitted an application for such nomination to the California State Office of Historic Preservation on August 31, 2010; and

        WHEREAS, Tenant will use NPS Grant funds to pay the $15,000 preservation easement fee that SFAH requires to accept the Easement and Tenant has requested that City grant the Easement to the SFAH; and

        WHEREAS, On August 2, 2010, the Arts Commission adopted a motion directing the Director of Cultural Affairs to submit the Easement terms to the Arts Commission if the Director of Cultural Affairs approved the Easement terms negotiated by Arts Commission staff and SFAH; and

        WHEREAS, The Director of Cultural Affairs approves the negotiated terms for the Easement in the form of a Conservation Easement, which is on file with the Secretary of the Arts Commission and is incorporated herein by reference (the “Agreement”); now, therefore, be it

        RESOLVED, That the Arts Commission hereby approves the Agreement and authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to request approval of the Agreement by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission, and the City’s Board of Supervisors; and be it

        FURTHER RESOLVED, That if the City’s Historic Preservation Commission and the City’s Board of Supervisors approve the Agreement and the City’s Board of Supervisors authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute and deliver the Agreement and take any and all actions which the Director of Cultural Affairs, in consultation with the City Attorney and any other person specified by the City’s Board of Supervisors, determines are in the best interest of the City, do not materially increase the obligations of the City or materially decrease the benefits to the City, are necessary or advisable to consummate the performance of the purposes and intent of this Resolution, and comply with all applicable laws, including the City’s Charter, including any modifications or amendments to the Agreement.
         
    4. Street Artists Committee—Gregory Chew, Chair
      1. Commissioner Chew reported that the recent Committee meeting was his first as Committee Chair, and he called on Commissioners to purchase artwork from some of the many talented street artists in the program for holiday and birthday gifts. He noted that although 99% of the artists are fine people, he did have to bang the gavel sometimes to maintain civility at the meeting. He offered a big thank-you to Commissioner Melania for her two and a half years of service on the Committee, a difficult and sometimes thankless job. He hoped to continue in her footsteps.

        Commissioner Calloway commented that the atmosphere of the meetings has improved somewhat, that personal attacks have been minimized. He spoke to a few people on the Liaison Committee, and the attacks on Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar have subsided a little. He believes people have taken to heart the requests for more civility.

        Commissioner Chew presented the following motions.
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-260: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Kirsten Schipper, Roger Fierro, Latifa Rainbow, Jennifer Chen, Cappella Parrish, Pieter Muller, Barbara Zerbe, Shawn Harris.
         
      3. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-261: Motion to approve request by applicant for waiver of 15-day requirement for obtaining a certificate: Malcolm Nicoll, Henry Jiao, Angelo Buenaseda, John Jorgenson.
         
      4. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-262: Motion to commend and thank the Honorable Sherene Melania for her dedicated service as Chair of the Street Artists Committee from November, 2009 through July, 2010.
         
    5. Visual Arts Committee—Lorraine García-Nakata, Chair
      1. Commissioner García-Nakata reported that the Committee had a full agenda. They approved projects at the San Francisco Airport, Randall Museum and SOMA-West McCoppin Garden. For General Hospital, a huge project, the Committee approved several clay models for fun sculptures to be completed by Tom Otterness. The Committee also discussed a statue of Harry Bridges proposed for Harry Bridges Plaza. Commissioner García-Nakata reported that Ms. Shiffler presented a good overivew of the Gallery’s fall exhibition schedule. Commissioner García-Nakata reported that the Laguna Honda selection panel recommended the purchase of artworks by some 40 artists for resident floors, patient rooms and clinic rooms. These more personal artworks, she explained, will be seen up close. She reported that the final color palette of Janet Echelman’s artwork at the San Francisco Airport was approved after further discussion, and the Committee had minor recommendations for the artwork proposed for the Chinese Recreation Center.

        Commissioner García-Nakata thanked staff for their hard work, noting that while her report on this list of projects was quick, it represented a lot of highly complex work over a long period of time.

        She thanked President Johnston in advance for chairing the Committee’s meeting the next day, sinc she would be in Washington, DC for the final meeting of the NMAL.

        Commissioner García-Nakata presented the following motion.

      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0913-10-263: Motion to increase the Phase I Design Development contract amount for each of the six selected artists for the three Central Subway Stations, to include artists Yumei Hou, Tomie Arai, Erwin Redl, Catherine Wagner, Tom Otterness, and the artist team of Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz, from $25,000 each to a total Phase I Design Development contract amount not to exceed $100,000 each for an increased Design Development Scope of Work, as required for each proposal, to include more extensive engineering and architectural costs, and more material samples, more complex models, and larger mock-ups.
         
  7. Public Comment
    Richard Reineccius reported the recent death of poet Mark Linenthal, longtime professor at San Francisco State University, and former head of the Poetry Center there. Mr. Reineccius said that he made poetry happen in San Francisco, and he pointed out an obituary by Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle. Mr. Reineccius noted that Potrero Hill, where he lived, has the best archive of his work, under the direction of his son, Mark Linenthal. Mr. Reineccius added that he is searching for the location of the Potrero Hill Opera House, once part of a chain of vaudeville houses on the peninsula.

    Erica Johnstone, an attorney with Ridder, Costa & Johnstone LLP, explained that her firm was counsel for street artist Pat Lloyd. She read a statement expressing her client’s position on selling slumped glass bottles through the Street Artists Program.

    President Johnston explained that the Commission had already taken action on that issue and said that it was not appropriate to review the action at this point. He encouraged her to draft a letter to the Arts Commission.

    There was no other public comment.
     
  8. New Business
    There was no new business.
     
  9. Reports and Announcements
    Ms. Manton reported that she has been working with the Dutch consulate on a proposed event as part of a Dutch design week in November. The event would be held during the work day and bring together Civic Design Review Commissioners, City architectural and design staff, and Dutch architects and designers.

    Ms. Shiffler announced that the Gallery had two openings in September. She distributed a card for Night/Light, the nighttime photography show opening in the lower level of City Hall on September 16; the show will feature 28 artists and is cosponsored by PhotoAlliance. On September 24 at 401 Van Ness and at 155 Grove Street, Transplanted will open. This show features work by three artists new to the Bay area.

    Community Arts and Education Program Associate and Communications and New Media Co-Chair Robynn Takayama announced that she and Mr. Cancel were on the host committee for ¡Viva Muralismo!, to be held at Precita Eyes on September 25.

    Commissioner García-Nakata noted that many organizations are celebrating their thirtieth and fortieth anniversaries, and that Children’s Book Press is among them. On October 7, Henry Louis Gates will come to San Francisco to accept an award at their 35th anniversary gala, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

    There were no other reports or announcements.
     
  10. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:27 p.m. in the memory of poet Mark Linenthal.
     

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