San Francisco Arts Commission
Meeting of the Full Arts Commission
Monday, December 2, 2002
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102
President Gatti called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
- ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present
Stanlee Gatti
Blanche Brown
Rod Freebairn-Smith
Eddie Marshall
William Meyer
Janice Mirikitani
Denise Roth
Dugald Stermer
Dede Wilsey
Commissioners Absent
Kirk Anderson
Ralph Guggenheim
Andrea Cochran
Andrew Brother Elk
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Ethel Pitts Walker
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following Resolution was Moved by President Gatti, Seconded, and unanimously Adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-316: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of November 4, 2002.
NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
- PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Gatti thanked the Commissioners and staff members for their work throughout the year.
He commented on the stunning sculpture by Claes Oldenburg, commissioned by the Gap and recently installed on the waterfront opposite the end of Folsom Street. He called the Commission's attention to other new sculptures that had been added to the area's Howard St. corridor, including one by Joel Shapiro at Second Street and the Keith Haring work, known as "Three Dancing Figures," at Third Street. He said that the district generally had been upgraded by landscaping, new buildings, the reopened and restored Ferry building, the return of the Farmer's Market, and new restaurants.
- DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Richard Newirth reported on the Mayor's recent meeting with city department heads in regard to the budget for the coming fiscal year. Those present were informed that the economy was not rebounding, and revenues were down. A shortfall of $170 million has been projected, assuming no raises are negotiated for July 1. Current labor contracts are up on June 30.
Initially, there will be an across-the-board 3% additional cut in general funding within the current year. Though the general fund is only a small portion of the the Arts Commission budget, such a cut ripples through all programs, which will have to pull from other funding sources. Department heads have been told that, in the next fiscal year, they need to absorb increases in cost of living and in cost of doing business, such as with outside vendors. An additional 5% in prioritized cuts also needs to be submitted with a potential for reduction of services and layoffs. Also each time there are cuts in the State budget, those reductions impact the City, and it is necessary to figure out on short notice now to respond . Mr. Newirth said that the economic situation was the worst it had been since the recession years of 1993 and 94. He added that, in the late 1990s, the agency underwent considerable growth in programming and staff. Staff and Commissioners will discuss instructions for next year's reductions at the December and January Executive Committee meetings. He emphasized the staff need for guidance from the Commission on this issue.
In answer to a question from Commissioner Freebairn-Smith, Mr. Newirth explained that the General Fund covered 8 or 9 salaries, rent, and operations for the computer systems. Therefore, there was nothing that could be cut, and consequently every program would be affected.
He introduced the new public art program assistant Jennifer Lavvorn. Ms. Lavvorn, who was selected from an applicant pool of 190 candidates, comes to the Arts Commission from Southern Exposure.
He reported that things were going well at the African American Art and Culture Complex under the new director London Breed. He said that potential cuts to the cultural centers had been averted for the time being, and that major public policy issues were at stake.
He reported on a a recent meeting that he and Judy Nemzoff had attended with Brenda Lopez, director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, to request funding. Though some funding is forthcoming, the amount is not known yet. A bookmark will be published to acknowledge that department's support.
He reported that Shelley Bradford Bell, executive director of the Bayview Opera House, had been appointed to the Planning Commission, which had elected her as its president. Ms. Bell and her Board are currently initiating the search for her replacement, and she expects to leave the cultural center by July.
Mr. Newirth reported on the Gallery's successful reception to launch the sales of the box sets. He said that the highest level boxes--10 boxes of 10 works and 15 of eight works--had already sold out.
He reported on a meeting about Gallery 37 with Recreation and Parks Department General Manager Elizabeth Goldstein, who is determined to make the project a reality in San Francisco. Ms. Goldstein is planning a site visit to Chicago in February and wants to include as many city agencies as possible. She intends to get the costs of the site visits donated. Mr. Newirth added that President Gatti had videos of Chicago's Gallery 37 program.
President Gatti said that the Gallery 37 program was the first of its kind, and that agencies throughout the world have been using it as a model for their own programs. He urged the Commissioners to go on the site visit to Chicago.
Mr. Newirth said that the Geneva Car Barn had been discussed as a potential site for the Gallery 37 program, but substantial retrofitting is needed. The program will take place in multiple places. Ms. Goldstein also wants a Civic Center location for exhibits and the sale of work.
He reported on a follow-up meeting with Steve Lehane of the Avanti Foundation. The Foundation is interested in replicating a program that acknowledges education leaders in certain fields in San Francisco, starting with arts education. President Gatti asked about the District's School of the Arts, which needs money and is one of the best schools of its kind in the country. Mr. Newirth said that he would give interested commissioners the contact information for the Avanti Foundation.
Mr. Newirth thanked Commission Secretary Sally Wisnia for arranging the Christmas party.
In response to a question from Commissioner Freebairn-Smith, Mr. Newirth said that there would be a preliminary discussion about budget cuts at the December Executive Committee meeting in order to get feedback.
- CONSENT CALENDAR
RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-317: ADOPTED UNANIMOUS
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the amended Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
Approval of Committee Minutes
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-318: Motion to
approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of October
15, 2002.
Explanatory Document: Draft Committee Minutes
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-319: Motion to approve the
Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of November 20,
2002.
Explanatory Document: Draft Committee Minutes
Civic Design Committee Recommendations (11/18/02)
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-320: Motion
to approve La Grande Tank Replacement, Phase 1.
Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (11/20/02)
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-321: Motion to authorize
the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with
Levy Design Partners in the amount of $9,500 for
consultation during the fabrication and installation of
artworks integrated into the platforms of the Third Street
Light Rail Project.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-322: Motion to authorize
the placement of $40,000 in art enrichment funds from the
Public Utilities Commission La Grande Tank Replacement
Project for future use at other PUC facilities or sites
determined to be mutually agreeable to both the San
Francisco Arts Commission and the PUC.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-323: Motion to redirect
$2,000 in art enrichment funding from the Recreation and
Park Department's Bison Paddock Renovation for use by the
Civic Art Collection Program.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-324: Motion to authorize
the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with
structural engineer Robert Bailey for construction drawings
for the Portals of the Past in Golden Gate Park for an
amount not to exceed $17,500.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-325: Motion to accept into
the Civic Art Collection with gratitude two bronze
sculptures by Jonathan Beery titled "Leatherback Sea Turtle"
and "The Pink Short-Spined Starfish" 2002 for the Moscone
Playground gifted by Friends of Moscone Park and Recreation
Center.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-326: Motion to authorize
the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement
with Ned Kahn for the safety retrofit of his artwork at the
San Francisco International Airport for an amount not to
exceed $30,000.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-327: Motion to approve the
artwork proposal of an illuminated book wall sculpture by
artist Vince Koloski for the renovated Richmond Branch
Library, as recommended by the Richmond Branch Community
Artist Selection Committee.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-328: Motion to authorize
the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with
artist Vince Koloski for Final Design, Fabrication,
Transportation and Installation of an artwork for the
renovated Richmond Branch Library in the amount of
$36,000.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-329: Motion to resume the
Art on Market Street Temporary Projects program for 2003, to
include 2 to 3 temporary projects for a total amount not to
exceed $35,000.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-318: Motion to
approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of October
15, 2002.
- Committee Reports
- Civic Design Committee--Stanlee Gatti,
Chair
- Report from Chair of Civic Design Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Report from Chair of Civic Design Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Visual Arts Committee -- Ralph Guggenheim, Chair
- Report from Chair of Visual Arts Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Report from Chair of Visual Arts Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Street Artists Committee - Dugald Stermer, Chair
- Report from Chair of Street Artists Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-330: Motion to approve
payment of $200 to Mario Hernandez for assisting Program
Director in painting permanent and winter holiday spaces on
the Downtown sidewalks.
- Report from Chair of Street Artists Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Executive Committee -- Stanlee Gatti, Chair
- Report from Chair of Executive Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-331: Motion to approve an
additional allocation of $1800 for memberships in the
Americans for the Arts, the Convention and Visitors Bureau,
etc. from the Public Art Fund.
President Gatti asked Jewelle Gomez for a copy of the Cultural Equity Grants policies before the Commission for approval.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-332: Motion to adopt a
formal policy for Cultural Equity grants that requires grant
agreements be signed and returned to our office within 60
days of issuance with no exceptions except in the case of
particular permit problems.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-333: Motion for Cultural
Equity Grants to adopt a new policy that requires applicants
to Cultural Equity Initiatives - Level Two to have
previously received a) at least 1 Cultural Equity
Initiatives – Level One grant; or b) at least 2
Organizational Project Grants.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-335: Motion to approve the
addition of the following individuals to the Cultural Equity
Grants Panel Pool:
·John Kreidler, Executive Director of Cultural Initiatives of Silicon Valley
·Robert E. Booker, poet, editor member of the Mayor's Poet Laureate Committee
·Deborah Urban, consultant, former director Nonprofit Finance Fund
·Carol Ting, current director of Nonprofit Finance Fund of SF
·Elissa Perry, writer and educator former program associate at Zeum
·Ave Montague, public relations and administrative consultant
·Aarin Burch is a film producer, videographer and editor
·Heather A. Hiles, capacity consultant to private foundations on art & service organizations
·Claire Aguilar producer and Director of Programming, Independent Television Service
·Richard Saiz, Programming Manager, Independent Television Service
·Corey Ohama, documentary film director, instructor and video editor
- Report from Chair of Executive Committee
regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.
- Community Arts & Education --Denise Roth, Chair
- Report from Chair of Community Arts &
Education Committee regarding activities of the Committee
and the Program.
- RESOLUTION NO. 1202-02-334: Motion to enter into
contract with Cynthia Bowman, WritersCorps Public Relations
Coordinator, from 11/01/02 to 6/30/03 for up to $7,000 from
Youth Arts Fund, Hotel Tax Fund, and earned income.
- Report from Chair of Community Arts &
Education Committee regarding activities of the Committee
and the Program.
- Civic Design Committee--Stanlee Gatti,
Chair
- Reports and Announcements
Community member Ross Portugeis encouraged the Arts Commission to get involved with the planning of the mid-Market area to ensure that art is incorporated into the overarching vision and the final plan. He said that he did not want Market Street to be just another neighborhood, and commented on the opportunity to make that district, and San Francisco, a place that travelers would want to see.
Mr. Newirth said that he had represented the Arts Commission at numerous interagency meetings about Market Street and that arts and entertainment were key elements of plans for the area.
President Gatti commented on the ongoing effort to add distinctive sculpture to the city.
- Public Comment
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural affairs
RN/sw/12/02/02
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