March 7, 2011
Full Commission - March 7, 2011
MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, March 7, 2011
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
Minutes
President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston, President
JD Beltran, Vice President
John Calloway
Gregory Chew
Leo Chow
Lorraine García-Nakata
Dorka Keehn
Cass Calder Smith
Sherri Young
Commissioners Absent
Mark Breitenberg
Amy Chuang
Sherene Melania
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar
Kimberlee Stryker
Christina Olague, ex officio
- Approval of Minutes
RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-047: Motion to approve February 7, 2011 Minutes.
- President’s Report
President Johnston began by discussing the strategic plan, which he said Mr. Cancel would address in greater detail, and which was the major topic at the Executive Committee’s meeting. He requested that Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie and Director of Programs Jill Manton forwad copies of the second quarter report to Commissioners. He noted that it was a report, not an action item subject to a vote by the Commission. He said that the Executive Committee had spent more than two hours reviewing the report in depth. He explained that the strategic planning process began more than two years ago, with a Commission and staff retreat, research, analysis, interviews, and discussions with Commissioners, staff and community stakeholders, culminating in the adoption of a three-year strategic plan subject to quarterly review. He explained that the first quarterly review was done in October, and that staff has struggled with the format as well as the substance of the reporting. He added that the City has a system of performance measures, and that staff has spent a lot of time trying to bring that system together with the agency’s strategic planning and reporting.
President Johnston thought that this second quarterly report is much improved, that goals have been met, with heroic efforts by staff stretched thin. He thought this report encapsulated a coherent progression from the basic mission of the Arts Commission to goals for each program, and tracking progress toward those goals. President Johnston congratulated staff, particularly Mr. Cancel and Ms. Manton, on making the document more presentable and more easily comprehensible. Although he had been a little skeptical about how well the strategic planning and reporting process might work in the government context, he was encouraged that the agency was well-served by keeping the goals before both staff and Commissioners as a touchstone. He encouraged Commissioners to read the report, and said he would like to find a way to create a digest report for the full Commission for the third quarter. - Director’s Report
Mr. Cancel explained that staff was still trying to find the best way to reconcile and synchronize reporting on all of the strategic plan’s goals with what the City requires for performance measures. He has met with a potential consultant to help refine the reporting, particularly for the key objectives that the Commission really wants to track. He used the analogy of a car, which is a complex machine. The driver needs to track a few key items, like speed, fuel and engine temperature; these are displayed on the dashboard. He hoped to bring “dashboard thinking” to the strategic planning report process, identifying a few key goals to highlight: perhaps the number of grants awarded, people served, etc. He expected this would make the tracking of our progress more manageable.
Further, Mr. Cancel added that the process of adding another year to the plan was about to begin. After all the work with the many constituencies involved, it is important not to just set the plan on a shelf, but to revisit it and add another year. Mr. Cancel expected to undertake this over the summer, with staff, an outside facilitator and Commissioners.
Mr. Cancel called attention to a motion on the agenda under Community Arts, Education and Grants (“CAEG”) Committee Reports regarding Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”). He explained that most of what is happening at the Opera House is very good, although there are some areas of concern, particularly with regard to the facility itself. He explained that this motion was the result of a year of discussions with the Redevelopment Agency, and will allow them to issue a grant of $400,000 for interior renovations to the Opera House: Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and stabilization of the balcony. He explained that there are accessibility issues throughout the building, and the design work for these renovations has been approved by city and state historic preservation agencies, and by the Civic Design Review Committee. He discussed the history of the shifting sources of funding for this work, championed by former Mayor Gavin Newsom. Mr. Cancel explained that the next step was for the Board of Supervisors and the Redevelopment Agency Commission to vote on the project, which he expected over the next few weeks. Groundbreaking is planned for fall of 2011. He explained that the plaza is slated for major renovations, with $700,000 in federal funds. He reported that emergency roof work, necessitated by long-neglected maintenance, has revealed extensive mold and damage to the south wall of the building, which may be compromising the stability of the building. With a grant of $35,000 provided by the Arts Commission, the Department of Public Works has agreed to analyze the damage to the wall and give a plan and a firm estimate for its repair. Mr. Cancel suggested that staff and Commissioners need to work with the district’s Supervisor and others to secure funding to implement the wall’s replacement.
On the other hand, Mr. Cancel noted, the grant from Save America’s Treasures enabled a beautiful restoration of the floor and other work on the building. He reported good participation in the Opera House’s programs, with over 5,000 people attending programs and events overall, including 200 young people in the summer program. He reported that the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee will hear a midyear report from BVOH acting director Barbara Ockel.
Mr. Cancel reported that the board has decided to go through a formal interview process to select a permanent Executive Director, and Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff and her staff will help facilitate that process. He noted that Ms. Ockel is expected to be a candidate, and while he anticipated that she will be the strongest candidate, he did not intend to influence the process. He reported that some of the Cultural Center directors have let staff go, and then had responses from the community to those dismissals. He reported that Ms. Nemzoff and Community Arts and Education staff will review all personnel matters at all of the centers, and will report to the CAEG Committee on their findings. To ensure that each center is following the most professional standards, Arts Commission staff will develop and distribute a consistent statement of what is expected in their personnel processes, and will provide workshops on professional best practices and on board development. Commissioner García-Nakata affirmed that this must incorporate all necessary legal requirements.
Mr. Cancel reported that the Arts Commission will move to new offices on the third and fourth floors of 25 Van Ness, recently vacated by Project Emerge. Because the Real Estate Department is eager to rent the Arts Commission’s current space to other tenants, they have offered good terms, and the move should be almost cost-neutral—saving rent expenses in the first and second year and modest increases in subsequent years. He added that the previous tenant left a lot of relatively new furniture and cubicles that can be reused. The new space will allow all staff to be consolidated in a single, larger, space, with more conference space, and room for Collections storage. Mr. Cancel explained that the Arts Commission will occupy the third and fourth floor offices for about five years.
Mr. Cancel explained that the long-term space plan is for the Arts Commission to move into the War Memorial Veterans Building. Noting that Commissioners were very familiar with this important cultural space, which houses the Herbst Theatre, the Green Room (which has hosted the Mayor’s Art Award events), and the Arts Commission Gallery, he described the War Memorial as an ideal location for the Arts Commission. He explained that the building is undergoing a $130 million renovation, encompassing plumbing, electrical and seismic upgrades, as well as an expanded and improved ground floor facility. He explained that the San Francisco Opera will be a new occupant on the fourth floor, and a smaller rehearsal and performing venue is included in the renovation.
The Gallery will end up with 4400 square feet; part of this larger gallery space will be dedicated to a rotating display of items from the Civic Art Collection, including jewelry, ceramics and other small craft pieces, as well as works on paper. Describing the Gallery as an extraordinary part of the Commission’s public service, he recalled that it had first been located at 155 Grove Street until the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake rendered that building unsafe for occupation; the windows are still used for exhibitions viewed from the street. The Gallery also programs exhibitions on the ground floor of City Hall. Staff is looking forward to major exhibitions in the large new space. The move to the War Memorial will take a minimum of five years, and may likely be longer, thus the need to secure space at 25 Van Ness Avenue.
Mr. Cancel noted that the Civic Art Collection includes a variety of work, including ceramics that are fragile and have long been in storage; the renovation will create museum-quality space for both storage and display. He noted that the War Memorial still has storage space for the Museum of Modern Art, once housed there. Their former collection space will be upgraded, including new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and will be used by the Civic Art Collection. Mr. Cancel showed a sketch of the proposed renovation, and added that the Gallery will include Arts Education workshop space. Plans for the building include a café and the box office where the Gallery is currently located. He noted that the project will be paid for by City capital funds.
Moving onto other topics, Mr. Cancel reported that WritersCorps is launching a new event coinciding with National Poetry Month, the Poetry Projection Project, soliciting short films based on poetry by WritersCorps students. The submitted films will be judged by award-winning San Francisco filmmaker Peter Bratt, and the winners shown at the San Francisco Public Library and Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. The films will also be posted online.
Speaking of online, Mr. Cancel reported that the Arts Commission reached 3,000 Facebook friends this week.
Turning to the Public Art Program, Mr. Cancel reported that April was a busy month, with the opening of San Francisco Airport’s Terminal Two; a community open house will be held on April 9. He reported that the renovation of the building generated funds to commission five bold new large-scale artworks complementing the grand architecture and space of the facility. He urged Commissioners to mark their calendars for the series of events celebrating the opening of the new terminal. President Johnston added that Terminal Two would serve Virgin America.
Mr. Cancel reported that the Keith Haring Foundation had approved the Arts Commission’s request to restore the Haring work in the City’s Collection, and that conservation work has already begun on the Peter Voulkos sculpture at the Hall of Justice, one of the first pieces added to the Collection. The conservation work is scheduled for completion in four weeks, and he cited this project as the first example of what the ArtCare program has achieved. Mr. Cancel added that former Commissioner Dede Wilsey has generously offered to host an ArtCare fundraiser at her home on a date yet to be determined in June. Mr. Cancel requested suggestions for the guest list, and Ms. Manton added that Ms. Wilsey will be debuting a recently acquired Monet water lily painting. Mr. Cancel explained that the needs of ArtCare are in the hundeds of thousands of dollars, and that the first $50,000 will pay for restoration of the Voulkos sculpture.
Commissioner García-Nakata suggested developing a phase-one fundraising goal. Commissioner Keehn suggested that donors often like their gift to be earmarked for a particular project, and might be more motivated to fund a specific artwork. Mr. Cancel thanked them for their suggestions.
- Consent Calendar
Item two of the Consent Calendar was withdrawn. The remaining items were adopted as follows.
RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-048:
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
Approval of Committee Minutes- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-049: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2011.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-050: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2011.
Community Arts, Education, and Grants Committee Recommendations (February 8, 2011) - RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-051: Motion to approve recommendations to award twenty grants totaling $325,850 in the Art and Communities: Innovative Partnerships grants to the following organizations and individual artists, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each for the amounts listed:
Exploration Grants
African Advocacy Network, $10,000
Asian American Women Artists Association (“AAWAA”), $10,000
Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, $10,000
Genny Lim, $6,000
Imagine Bus Project, $10,000
Outlook Theater Project, $10,000
Rene Yung, $10,000
Voice of Witness, $9,500
Realization Grants
Arab Cultural and Community Center, $23,000
Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (“BAYCAT”), $20,250
CounterPULSE, $20,250
Eldergivers, $23,000
Galería de la Raza, $21,850
Golden Thread Productions, $20,250
Intersection for the Arts, $20,250
Kid Serve Youth Murals, $20,250
Out of Site: Center for Arts Education, $23,000
Paul Flores, $20,250
Queer Cultural Center, $23,000
Rio Yañez, $15,000
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-052: Motion to enter into a grant agreement for $5,000 with the Central Market Community Benefit District, as fiscal sponsor for 24 Days of Performance, part of the National Endowment for the Arts Mayors’ Institute on City Design.
Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (February 14, 2011) - RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-053: Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the Groundwater Supply Well Stations—Golden Gate Park, contingent on straightening the angle of the cutout on the edge of the building, moving the LED lighting to the less visible side of the door, and relocating the parking space at the central well station to the north of the building.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-054: Motion to approve the Lafayette Park Renovation contingent upon a site visit to review the landscape plan.
Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (February 16, 2011) - RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-055: Motion to approve Design Development Phase deliverables for the artwork, with text pending future approval, by artist Shan Shan Sheng for the interior of the Chinese Recreation Center and authorization to proceed with fabrication of the artwork.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-056: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contractual relationship with artists Amy Balkin, Sergio De La Torre and Rebar, who will each receive a $1,000 honorarium for their contributions to the 2011 Sister City Biennial exhibition at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-057: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contractual relationship with artist Travis Somerville, who will receive an honorarium of $2,000, and with artist David Huffman, who will receive an honorarium of $5,000, for their contributions to an upcoming exhibition at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-058: Motion to approve the purchase of Water and Plastic, digital c-print, 2010, $1,000; Water, Plastic and Sky, 2010, digital c-print, $1,000; and Water, Plastic and Vapor, 2010, digital c-print, $1,000 by artist Jasmin Lim for the Civic Art Collection.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-059: Motion to approve Design Development Phase deliverables (refined design of sculpture, project budget, surface treatment sample, mockup of kinetic component and structural engineering of pier and post connection) by artist Moto Ohtake for Fulton Playground.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-060: Motion to approve final design for artist Walter Kitundu’s artwork for the Children’s Area at San Francisco International Airport Terminal Two.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-061: Motion to approve the Art on Market Street kiosk poster proposal by artist Ian Huebert and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Ian Huebert to develop and complete six poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-062: Motion to approve revised color palette for artist Amy Ellingson’s design for the terrazzo floor at San Francisco International Airport Boarding Area E.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-063: Motion to approve and accept the steel sculpture Full Circles, 2011, by artists Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector, commissioned for the Visitacion Valley Branch Library, into the Civic Art Collection.
Executive Committee Recommendations (February 28, 2011) - RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-064: Motion to enter into a 2010-2011 grant agreement with Community Initiatives in an amount not to exceed $140,000 to support the design, publication and release of the Arts Commission’s 80th anniversary book.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-065: Motion to approve the acceptance of 43 individual donations to ArtCare totaling $43,225 for support in restoring and maintaining the Civic Art Collection’s artwork most in need of conservation work. These donors are: Hilarie Faberman, Gerry Belling, Rick Friedman, Jordan Sachs, Don Hardy, Francesca Passalacqua (Harqua Foundation), Steven Spector and Robert Ripps, Sheana W. Butler, Jerry Lutovich, Marilyn Rinzler, Trax Ceramic Gallery/Sandy Simon, Phyllis and Robert Harlick, Myra Block Kaiser (Tulsa Community Foundation), San Francisco Art Dealers Association (SFADA), Paul Sack and Shirley Davis, Carole A. Cohen, Ed Russell and Candice Gold, Dr. and Mrs. P. M. Stein, Marion E. Greene, Dorothy R. Saxe, Steven H. Oliver, Jeannene Przyblyski, Don Kay and Bonnie Levinson, John Stuppin, Jo Farb Hernandez, Howard Junker, The Fred Reichman Art Group, Jeffrey Spahn Gallery, Diane B. Wilsey, Charles Kremer, Sylvia Brown, Marilyn Taubman, Ann Adair Voulkos, Gallery Paule Anglim, Beau Takahara and Beth Garbett Takahara, Younhee Paik, Jill S. Manton, Lynnne Baer and Jay Pidto, Casey and Associates, Tracy Bosworth Bosche, John and Jody Arnhold (The Arnhold Foundation), Peter and Beverly Lipman, Roselyne C. Swig, Marna Clark.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-049: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2011.
- Committee Reports and Committee Matters
- Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
- President Johnston reiterated that the Committee had discussed the strategic plan, and said that it would be important to develop an overview for the full Commission to allow it to review the reporting more quickly than in the Executive Committee meeting. He explained that the plan set overall organizational goals, and each program has goals, somewhat different from one another in implementation, in furtherance of those overall goals. He said that the process continued to be refined, and that the process was important to help all of the Committees focus on their work with individual programs. He added that the strategic planning and review process was a way to keep everyone moving in the same direction.
Vice President Beltran added that the staff presentations were very thoughtful, and described how progress was being measured in each of the programs.
Commissioner Chew added that the Committee also discussed the Commission’s upcoming 80th anniversary. President Johnston added that the Committee also briefly discussed the eventual move to the Veterans Memorial building, which they found very exciting; he added that the building had long been slated for seismic and general upgrades. Noting that he had once worked in the building, he described it as magnificent, but too subdued except during performances or events in the Green Room. This renovation promises the opportunity to enliven the space. President Johnston explained that the Arts Commission was chosen in a competitive process by the War Memorial Board of Trustees to be the anchor tenant; they were excited to have an arts presence, complementary to, yet different from the Herbst Theatre. President Johnston added that it was important that the Arts Commission would be directly across from City Hall.
In response to a question, Mr. Cancel explained that Committee meetings would be held at the new space once the agency has moved; in the meantime, they will continue to be held at 25 Van Ness.
Vice President Beltran said she would like to recognize Mr. Cancel and Development Director Rachelle Axel for their work on ArtCare, saying they had achieved good results for a first time out with this initiative. In response to Commissioner Chew’s question, Mr. Cancel explained that donors received a formal letter of thanks, and that they also receive a document which the City requires them to sign and return. President Johnston noted that the City’s procedures make it almost impossible to make an anonymous gift, and added that he liked the idea of linking the gift to a specific artwork.
- President Johnston reiterated that the Committee had discussed the strategic plan, and said that it would be important to develop an overview for the full Commission to allow it to review the reporting more quickly than in the Executive Committee meeting. He explained that the plan set overall organizational goals, and each program has goals, somewhat different from one another in implementation, in furtherance of those overall goals. He said that the process continued to be refined, and that the process was important to help all of the Committees focus on their work with individual programs. He added that the strategic planning and review process was a way to keep everyone moving in the same direction.
- Civic Design Review Committee—Cass Calder Smith, Chair
- Commissioner Smith reported that a proposal for a memorial to the homeless was presented to the Committee. The project had been presented to the Board of Supervisors. It would be privately funded, and would consist of brass “chalk outlines” placed in various sidewalks throughout the city. Mr. Cancel explained that the proposal had been rejected, and that staff had followed up with a letter describing the agency’s procedures for reviewing monuments, and giving examples of successful monuments, including the Abraham Lincoln Brigade monument, to illustrate the professional standards required and expected.
President Johnston asked what specific action the Board of Supervisors had taken, and what obligations the Arts Commission had as a result. Commissioner Chow explained that the Board had approved a resolution encouraging pursuit of the idea of the memorial. President Johnston requested that staff continue to follow up on any required actions.
Commissioner Smith added that the Committee also approved a pump station.
- Commissioner Smith reported that a proposal for a memorial to the homeless was presented to the Committee. The project had been presented to the Board of Supervisors. It would be privately funded, and would consist of brass “chalk outlines” placed in various sidewalks throughout the city. Mr. Cancel explained that the proposal had been rejected, and that staff had followed up with a letter describing the agency’s procedures for reviewing monuments, and giving examples of successful monuments, including the Abraham Lincoln Brigade monument, to illustrate the professional standards required and expected.
- Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Sherri Young, Chair
- Commissioner Young reported that the Committee had a wonderful meeting, and discussed the grants panel approval process. She noted that the panel meetings are all public, and encouraged Commissioners to attend one. She praised Director of Grants San San Wong and her staff for their very professional process. She reported that the Committee recommended approval of some 20 Art and Communities: Innovative Partnerships Exploration and Realization grants, part of the Consent Calendar approved above. She added that some of the grantees made presentations, which were much appreciated by the Committee.
Commissioner Young reported that representatives of the Cultural Centers gave updates to the Committee. She noted that all are having successes, moving forward with fundraising and board development, and improving their ability to be self-sustaining over the long term. Still, she added, there are always challenges, and she reiterated Mr. Cancel’s point that the Centers are working hard on improving their personnel policies.
Commissoner Young presented the following motions.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-066: Motion to approve the following individual as grants application review panelist for Cultural Equity Grants:
Shelley Trott, Arts Program Officer, Kenneth Rainin Foundation
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-067: Motion to approve the resolution authorizing the San Francisco Arts Commission to accept a $400,000 grant from the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency for a structural strengthening and accessible improvement project at the Bayview Opera House.
Resolution authorizing the San Francisco Arts Commission to accept a $400,000 grant from the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency for a structural strengthening and accessible improvement project at the Bayview Opera House.
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 improved with a building commonly known as the Bayview Opera House (the “Building”); and
WHEREAS, The Arts Commission wishes to have the Building structurally upgraded and to install accessibility improvements that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Architecture of the City’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”) has agreed to manage the construction of the Project and has estimated that the total cost of the Project will be $748,000; and
WHEREAS, The Arts Commission previously allocated $248,000 from its capital improvement budget to develop a scope of work and produce preliminary design drawings for the Project and the Mayor’s Office of Community Investment has agreed to fund $100,000 of the Project costs; and
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (“Agency”) is willing to make a grant of $400,000 (the “Grant”) to the City for the Project pursuant to a Grant Agreement between the Agency and the City, acting by and through the Arts Commission (the “Grant Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, The Grant Agreement requires that the Grant funds be used solely to pay for the necessary and relevant construction costs related to the Project work described in Exhibit A to the Grant Agreement and City will be obligated to repay the Grant funds if there is any uncured default by City of its obligations under the Grant Agreement; and
WHEREAS, The Director of Cultural Affairs approves the negotiated terms for the Grant Agreement, a final copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Arts Commission and is incorporated herein by reference; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Arts Commission hereby approves the proposed Grant and Grant Agreement and authorizes the Executive Director of the Arts Commission to request approval of the proposed Grant and Grant Agreement by the City’s Board of Supervisors and further urges the Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed Grant to help make needed facility improvements to the Building for the benefit of the public; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That if the City’s Board of Supervisors approves the proposed Grant and Grant Agreement and authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute and deliver the Grant Agreement, the Arts Commission authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to 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 Grant Agreement.
- Commissioner Young reported that the Committee had a wonderful meeting, and discussed the grants panel approval process. She noted that the panel meetings are all public, and encouraged Commissioners to attend one. She praised Director of Grants San San Wong and her staff for their very professional process. She reported that the Committee recommended approval of some 20 Art and Communities: Innovative Partnerships Exploration and Realization grants, part of the Consent Calendar approved above. She added that some of the grantees made presentations, which were much appreciated by the Committee.
- Street Artists Committee—Gregory Chew, Chair
- Commissioner Chew encouraged everyone to look at the work of the street artists. He explained that the Committee ordinarily meets during odd-numbered months, but would not meet in March because they would not have a quorum; instead, the Committee will meet in April.
Commissioner Chew explained that the artists named in the following motion created a variety of interesting objects, including jewelry, hand-painted T-shirts, photography, raw wool spun into art. He again encouraged everyone to go down to Justin Herman Plaza or Union Square on a sunny afternoon and look at the artists’ work.
Commissioner Chew presented the following motion.
- RESOLUTION NO. 0307-11-068: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Carlos Ortiz, Javiera Kuncar, Marc Cassius, Xing Zhi Yuan, Katya Newman, David Aguilar, Amparo Roman, Naomi Wager, Daniel Hennessy, Changlin Huang, Maureen O’Brien.
- Commissioner Chew encouraged everyone to look at the work of the street artists. He explained that the Committee ordinarily meets during odd-numbered months, but would not meet in March because they would not have a quorum; instead, the Committee will meet in April.
- Visual Arts Committee—Lorraine García-Nakata, Chair
- Commissioner García-Nakata began by responding to Commissioner Chew, acknowledging that she had purchased wonderful jewelry and many other things from street artists over the years.
She reported that the Committee reviewed artwork for the Chinese Recreation Center, and the Gallery’s upcoming San Francisco/Sydney Sister City Biennial exhibition. She listed other projects that the Committee reviewed, including the Fulton playground, Walter Kitundu’s design for San Francisco Airport Terminal Two, the Art on Market Street kiosk proposal, Tutubi Plaza, Amy Ellingson’s artwork at San Francisco Airport, and the Visitacion Valley library. She reported that the Committee also reviewed some modifications of the Maya Lin sculpture, and an update on the floor design for the Transbay Terminal. She thanked Mr. Cancel and President Johnston for their work with the Airport.
Commissioner Chew reported that he often walks past Tutubi Plaza, and remembers serving on the review panel. He said that the work has totally reshaped the area, and encouraged everyone to take a look.
Commissioner García-Nakata thanked all of the Committee’s members, particularly those who have served on panels.
- Commissioner García-Nakata began by responding to Commissioner Chew, acknowledging that she had purchased wonderful jewelry and many other things from street artists over the years.
- Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
- Public Comment
There was no other public comment.
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Reports and Announcements
President Johnston encouraged everyone to see the Airport’s new Terminal Two, and reminded the Commission that there will be a number of events to celebrate its opening. He said that he had attended a hard-hat tour before the art was installed, and looked forward to seeing it in place. He thought this was a good opportunity to step back from the sometimes difficult process of working with so many partners, and see the spectacular result that can be accomplished. Ms. Manton added that along with the five newly commissioned pieces, the terminal includes 28 pieces that were in storage and are now being reinstalled. Commissioner García-Nakata noted that San Franciscans dropping off visitors at the Airport will be able to enjoy the exterior artworks.
Vice President Beltran reported that she had participated in a panel immediately preceding this meeting, including nine panelists from a variety of backgrounds, including a police officer and a firefighter. She was very happy with the panel review process, which creates a wonderful and productive dialogue, and a democratic vetting process.
President Johnston reminded Commissioners that they must file the Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700, and Sunshine Declarations, by April 1. He noted that Arts Commissioners have now been returned to the less onerous disclosure level they had before 2010.
Commissioner Calloway pointed out that San Francisco had recently been chosen as the location for the America’s Cup, and thought this huge event might provide some opportunities for the Arts Commission to tie in with its activities. President Johnston agreed, and asked Ms. Manton to use her clever ability to find ways for the Arts Commission to participate in many of the City’s big projects, like the Transbay Terminal. He, too, is getting questions about the America’s Cup.
There were no reports or announcements.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
4/28/11 spr
