City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

May 6, 2013

Full Commission - May 6, 2013

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, May 6, 2013
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Minutes
 

Commission President JD Beltran called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
 

  1. Roll Call
    Commissioners Present
    Sherene Melania, Vice President
    John Calloway
    Gregory Chew
    Amy Chuang
    Charles Collins
    Dorka Keehn
    Roberto Ordeñana
    Marcus Shelby
    Jessica Silverman
    Cass Calder Smith
    Kimberlee Stryker

    Commissioners Absent
    JD Beltran, President
    Leo Chow
    Simon Frankel
    Barbara Sklar
    Gwyneth Borden, ex officio
     

  2. Approval of Minutes
    This item was withdrawn.
     
  3. Director’s Report
    Mr. DeCaigny reported that he and Deputy Director Rebekah Krell have been working with the Capital Planning Committee and the Mayor’s office on finalizing the budget for the Mayor’s submission of the citywide budget to the Board of Supervisors in June. Mr. DeCaigny added that the department’s capital requests are for the Collection’s and the Cultural Centers’ needs, as well as for the agency’s move in 2015 to the War Memorial Veterans Building. He promised to continue to update the Commission.

    Mr. DeCaigny announced that on May 16 at Fort Mason, on the opening evening of the artMRKT art fair, ArtCare and the San Francisco Art Dealers Association will be honoring Fine Arts Museums Board President and former Arts Commissioner Dede Wilsey for her accomplishments and civic art patronage; she was among the first to host a house party to support ArtCare. Mr. DeCaigny added that the ArtPadSF art fair will also open on the same date, at the Phoenix Hotel in the Tenderloin.

    He reported that conservation work on the portrait of Mayor “Sunny Jim” Rolph is near completion, thanks to private contributions, and it will be returned to the Mayor’s office shortly. He also reported that work on the Gandhi statue at the Ferry Building—his staff was broken and glasses stolen—is underway, with the cooperation of the Indian Consul General.

    Finally, Mr. DeCaigny reported that Cultural Equity Grants staff is working on the timeline and strategy for grantmaking in the coming year, and guidelines are expected to be posted later this summer.

    Public Comment:
    Stephen Worsley, of Save Coit Tower, said that the tower must eventually be given museum status, with a docent, and he warned against turning the tower into a tacky tourist shop. He discussed the murals and their historical significance, and how vulnerable they are to damage from a spray can. He said that these paintings are fine art, and can’t really be properly cared for by the gardeners of the Recreation and Parks Department.

    Thomas Simpson of AfroSolo said that while there had been a little acrimony at the Commission’s April meeting, he reported that things at the African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”) were now much more settled and going well. He said that the board who had hired AAACC’s new director, Kimberly Hayes, had perhaps set unrealistically high expectations for her, and people forgot that she’s just human. He thanked the Commission for the time they gave to the speakers, and reiterated that things are now going well. He said that he had heard Mr. DeCaigny on KQED after his first year on the job, and thought he did an excellent job. He was hopeful that Ms. Hayes could likewise accomplish a lot in her first year, and AAACC’s resident organizations would be in good hands. He thought it was important to support her as she grows in the job, and he realizes she passionately wants the Complex to succeed.
     

  4. Consent Calendar
    Vice President Melania withdrew item 2, approval of Civic Design Review Committee minutes, from the Consent Calendar because the minutes were not ready. She severed items 6, 7 and 9 from the Consent Calendar, regarding Organization Project Grants (items 6 and 7) and grants to the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (items 6 and 9), because of potential conflicts of interest for Commissioners Calloway, Ordeñana and Shelby. Vice President Melania severed item 27, regarding the contract of Narduli Studios for the Veteran’s Memorial, due to an increase in the cost of the contract.

    Vice President Melania presented the following motion, as amended with the new contract amount. There was no public comment, and the motion was approved unanimously.

    RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-128: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify the Agreement with Narduli Studios to increase the contract from $221,450 to $260,000 in order to provide signed stamped structural engineering drawings and calculations for the memorial and fountain, and to provide an approved construction mock-up of the rammed earth wall, demonstrating both color and texture, and construction specifications for the rammed earth wall construction.

    Commissioners Calloway, Ordeñana and Shelby left the room for consideration of the following items.

    There was no public comment, and the motions were approved unanimously, with the recusal of Commissioners Calloway, Ordeñana and Shelby.

    RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-107: Motion to approve recommendations to award one grant totaling $12,750 in the 2012-2013 cycle of Organization Project Grants to the following organization, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement with the organization for the amount listed:
    Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, $12,750

    RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-108: Motion to approve recommendations to award 41 grants totaling $478,431 in the 2012-2013 cycle of Organization Project Grants to the following organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreements with each organization for the amounts listed:
    3rd i South Asian Independent Film Festival, $12,750
    African & African American Performing Arts Coalition, $12,750
    ArtSpan, $11,250
    Asian Contemporary Arts Consortium San Francisco, $11,250
    Asian Improv aRts, $12,750
    Capacitor Performance, $11,250
    Center for the Art of Translation, $12,750
    Chrysalis Studio, $11,050
    Circuit Network, $12,750
    Croatian American Cultural Center, $12,750
    Crowded Fire Theatre Company, $6,000
    Cutting Ball Theatre Company, $12,750
    Dance Brigade, $12,750
    Dancers’ Group, $12,750
    Eye Zen Art, $12,750
    First Voice, $12,750
    Fresh Meat Productions, $12,750
    Garrett + Moulton Productions, $12,750
    Girl Talk, $7,500
    inkBoat, $11,250
    Joe Goode Performance Group, $11,250
    LEVYdance, Inc., $11,250
    Litquake, $11,250
    Musical Traditions, Inc./Paul Dresher Ensemble, $12,750
    Out of Site: Center for Arts Education, $11,250
    OX, $12,750
    PlayGround, $12,750
    Post:Ballet, $12,750
    Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, $12,750
    Radar Productions, $12,750
    Root Division, $12,750
    San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, $11,250
    San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest, $11,250
    San Francisco Silent Film Festival, $11,250
    San Francisco Transgender Film Festival, $6,715
    Sixth Street Photography Workshop, $11,250
    Southern Exposure, $12,750
    Stepology, $11,250
    Switchboard Music Festival, $9,166
    Theatre of Yugen, $12,750
    Volti, $11,250

    RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-110: Motion to approve recommendations to award one grant totaling $7,500 in the 2012-2013 cycle of Native American Arts & Cultural Traditions to the following organization, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement with the organization for the amount listed:
    Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, $7,500

    Commissioners Calloway, Ordeñana and Shelby returned to the meeting room following the vote.

    There was no public comment on the remainder of the Consent Calendar.

    Vice President Melania called for a vote on the remainder of the Consent Calendar, which was approved unanimously as follows.

    RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-102:
    Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

    Approval of Committee Minutes

    1. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-103: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013.
       
    2. This item was withdrawn.
       
    3. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-104: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2013.

      Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Recommendations (April 9, 2013)

    4. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-105: Motion to provide a grant to Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts for the sole purpose to improve and upgrade camera security systems for enhanced safety of the facility for an amount not to exceed $30,000 from maintenance and repair funds.
       
    5. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-106: Motion to provide a grant to SOMArts Cultural Center for the sole purpose to improve and upgrade camera security systems for enhanced safety of the facility for an amount not to exceed $25,000 from maintenance and repair funds.
       
    6. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-109: Motion to approve recommendations to award eight grants totaling $75,500 in the 2012-2013 cycle of Native American Arts & Cultural Traditions to the following individual and organizations, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual and organization for the amounts listed:
      Asociación Mayab, $15,000
      Instituto Familiar de la Raza, $1,000
      Instituto Familiar de la Raza, $7,000
      Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu, $7,500
      Ohlone Profiles Project, $7,500
      Ross Cunningham, $7,500
      Seventh Native American Generation, $15,000
      The Cultural Conservancy, $15,000
       
    7. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-111: Motion to approve the design and general placement of the Mission Dolores Plaque, with the contingency that the word “Neighborhood” be spelled out, and that the project return for Phase 2 and 3 review with sufficient technical details appropriate to the review phase, such as the landscape architect’s drawing showing placement, orientation and anchoring for the plaque.
       
    8. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-112: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Kimbell Playground renovation on the condition that the gate be rectangular rather than rounded, and contingent on submission of final documents from the successful bidder; any significant changes will require additional review.
       
    9. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-113: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Operator Convenience Facilities to be located on Geary Boulevard near 32nd Avenue.
       
    10. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-114: Motion to approve Phases 1 and 2 of the San Francisco International Airport West Field Cargo Redevelopment Facility contingent on adding more color and increasing the contrast between the roof and the walls, with informal review prior to Phase 3.
       
    11. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-115: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Sunol Yard Improvement.
       
    12. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-116: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Bayview Opera House.
       
    13. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-117: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Mission Bay Playground.
       
    14. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-118: Motion to approve Phase 3 of Fire Station #36 renovation, with the contingency that the windows should not be red.
       
    15. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-119: Motion to approve Phases 2 and 3 of the Angelo J. Rossi Playground Restroom Replacement contingent on making the color palette more vibrant, including a richer green tile for greater contrast, and making the metal grillwork black.

      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (April 17, 2013)

    16. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-120: Motion to approve the mural, Bean Soup Literary Mural, by lead artist Susan Cervantes on the fence at 3145–23rd Street (at Shotwell Street). The proposed mural (9’ x 140’) encloses the All in Common Community Garden. The project is sponsored by Precita Eyes, funded by Community Challenge Grant and supported by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.
       
    17. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-121: Motion to approve Amy Ellingson’s final designs, including the revised color palette samples and mock-up, for the Design Development and Construction Document phases for her project at San Francisco International Airport’s Boarding Area E in Terminal 3.
       
    18. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-122: Motion to approve the proposal by Leslie Shows for an artwork for the ticketing hall wall of the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station as recommended by the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Public Art Selection Panel.
       
    19. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-123: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Leslie Shows for an amount not to exceed $400,000 to design, fabricate and transport an artwork for the ticketing hall wall of the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station.
       
    20. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-124: Motion to approve Rebar Art and Design Studio’s final design for an artwork at Palega Playground.
       
    21. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-125: Motion to approve Colette Crutcher’s final alternate design for an artwork at Cabrillo Playground.
       
    22. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-126: Motion to approve 50% Construction Documents for Veteran’s Memorial fountain and monument.
       
    23. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-127: Motion to rescind Arts Commission Resolution 0107-13-019, increasing Narduli Studio’s contract from $221,450 to $234,250.
       
    24. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-129: Motion to approve the proposal by Clare Rojas for a permanent artwork for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall as recommended by the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall Public Art Selection Panel.
       
    25. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-130: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with artist Clare Rojas for an amount not to exceed $325,000, to design, fabricate and transport a permanent artwork to be installed on the crosscut cavern wall of the Central Subway Chinatown Station.
       
    26. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-131: Motion to approve the project approach of installing a fence and pursuing future lighting solutions to deter vandalism around the monument of Walter McKinley by Robert Ingersoll Aitken, located in the Panhandle section of Golden Gate Park.
       
    27. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-132: Motion to approve five of the six mock-up poster designs, with the sixth to be determined, for Sanaz Mazinani’s Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, July–October, 2013.
       
    28. RESOLUTION NO. 0506-13-133: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs or his/her staff designee to approve temporary public art projects on public property that have a duration of seven days or less.
       
  5. 2013-2017 Strategic Planning Discussion
    Mr. DeCaigny explained that strategic planning consultant team MIG/MMC had completed their benchmark study of five American cities (New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles County and Chicago), as well as an assessment of the Arts Commission. He introduced Adrienne Horn of MMC to present the findings.

    Ms. Horn thanked the Commission and explained that the first phase of the strategic planning process, assessment, was complete. She introduced MMC staff Katie Sevier, Georgianna Lagoria de la Torre, and MIG principal Joan Chaplick.

    Ms. de la Torre presented the findings in the attached document [link to benchmark study PowerPoint presentation].

    Commissioners thanked them for the comprehensive research and informative presentation, and briefly discussed some of the differences between San Francisco and the various benchmark cities, including maintenance of collections, grantmaking and relationships with cultural facilities. Mr. DeCaigny noted that one of the final deliverables of the strategic planning is a capital plan addressing the needs of the Collection and the Cultural Centers.

    Ms. Horn then presented the findings of the assessment, based on interviews and focus groups with various constituents of the San Francisco Arts Commission. The presentation is posted here: [link to assessment PowerPoint presentation].

    Commissioners thanked Ms. Horn and the team for the thorough presentation, and for making this complex information understandable.

    Mr. DeCaigny observed some tensions for the Commission, some of which could be resolved with the planning process, and others which are unavoidable in the context of a governmental agency. He mentioned the desire for public-private partnerships and the search for funding, as potential competition to the arts organizations and artists who may be seeking the same funds. He also mentioned the question of how to define the value of the arts, and how to gather and use data in that discussion.

    Commissioners pointed out the importance of accountability; Ms. Horn reminded the Commission that accountability is part of the plan, in the form of actions, deadlines, and specifying who is responsible for them.

    Mr. DeCaigny referred Commissioners to previous planning documents as part of the background for this process. He added that the data presented today was intended to give greater depth.

    He asked Ms. Chaplick to discuss next steps, including community engagement, with the intention of seeing what the Commission’s different constituencies have to say. He added that after final approval of the plan, MIG/MMC would work with the Commission on ongoing evaluation and implementation of the plan, making any needed adjustments.

    Ms. Chaplick explained that MIG/MMC staff will go out to the community to ask people what they care most about in regard to the arts in San Francisco, to see what is most relevant to them. The team will go to Cultural Center events and other public events where people gather. She explained that they will use a fun and highly visible interactive activity to gather information, which ultimately will be shared with the Commission.

    Commissioner Collins said that the community engagement process was high-stakes, and it was important to get it right. He asked about cultural competency, noting that all of the team members present were white women. Ms. Chaplick agreed about the importance of community engagement, and explained that they have bilingual staff, and work with a more diverse group of graduate students. She invited Commissioner Collins to participate in review of the study design, and said the team would not go out to the public until the Commission representatives were comfortable with the design.

    Commissioner Calloway and other Commissioners noted that it was important to go to a variety of communities, not just those most frequently involved. He said that going to the same communities leads to getting the same results.

    Ms. Chaplick reported that they have partners who can translate materials where needed, and that they planned to go to where people already are, not necessarily to arts events. She said that they would also be asking for some demographic information, and tracking whether they were reaching a broad enough cross-section, and tweaking their approach accordingly.

    Mr. DeCaigny suggested that it was smart for the team to intentionally not develop the community outreach plan until later in the process, giving time to vet it through the Commission and public comment. He added that there were two source documents, results of the preliminary Latino and Asian community studies done earlier, which would help to inform the intial outreach. Vice President Melania added that many of the Commissioners are deeply involved in a variety of communities, and are interested in making the outreach as thorough as possible.

    Ms. Chaplick thought Commissioners could be extremely helpful as ambassadors in gaining access to a wide variety of communities.

    Vice President Melania thanked the team, and added that the Commission looked forward to continuing the process.

    There was no public comment.
     

  6. Public Comment
    There was no public comment.
     
  7. New Business and Announcements
    There was no new business or announcements.
     
  8. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
     

    8/2/13 spr

    Language Accessibility

    Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

    我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

    Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.