SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
1:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Ave, Suite 125

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:07 p.m.

 

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present:
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Charles Collins
   Marcus Shelby
   Janine Shiota
   
   Commissioners Absent:
   Sherene Melania, Chair
   
   Staff Present: Tom DeCaigny, Barbara Mumby, Robynn Takayama, Liz Ozol, Molly Barrons, Claudia Leung, Kate Faust

 

2. General Public Comment
   Vice President Ordeñana called for public comment. There was none made.

 

3. Director of Cultural Affairs Report
   Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny provided an update on the filling of two vacancies on the Community Investments team – the program officer and director of Community Investments roles. Both are underway and interviews have started. He thanked the rest of the team for stepping up and said they would announce the hires in the near future.
   
   Mr. DeCaigny reminded attendees about the technical assistance opportunities to support artists and cultural workers access affordable housing in San Francisco from the Mission Economic Development Agency (“MEDA”) funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission (“SFAC”) and the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”). He said there are multiple upcoming workshops that are open to artists and nonprofit cultural workers (both residents and people who have been displaced from San Francisco in the past two years).
   
   Mr. DeCaigny shared his experience attending the 2017 World Cities Cultures Summit in Seoul, Korea and also mentioned that San Francisco will be hosting the World Cities Cultures Summit in 2018, a summit which includes 45 global cities that are considered to be ‘cultural capitals.’ Mr. DeCaigny thanked San Francisco Travel for co-hosting and for their generosity in financial partnership. The dates for the 2018 Summit are November 13 through 16 of 2018. The majority of the forum is for the delegates from each city to discuss arts policy issues in major urban areas, particularly affordability and land use issues. There will be a public component of the summit, most likely on the last day.
   
   Senior Program Officer Barbara Mumby provided an update on the grants timeline for the Community Investments program. The grant applications for all categories except Special Grants were due in October, and the Special Grants guidelines went out to the public last week. She said the team expects that panel reviews will be January through March 2018, and that funding recommendations will be made in April or May. There is an ongoing call for panelists, and the panelist application is online for anyone eligible to apply. The second annual Artistic Legacy Grant would likely be released in January. Mid-to-late Spring, SFAC would release the first small grants for individual artists and arts administrators in memory of former Program Officer Ebony McKinney, in partnership with Emerging Arts Professionals.
   
   Vice President Ordeñana asked for public comment. There was none.
4. Cultural Centers Update
   Program Officer Robynn Takayama gave an informational presentation on the Cultural Centers’ programmatic progress. Last year, she said, was a transition year. New reporting was implemented to bring Cultural Centers’ reporting in alignment with the rest of the SFAC’s grant making. Some members of the San Francisco City Supervisors recently voiced concern with the Cultural Centers’ performance, accessibility, and accountability. Ms. Takayama mentioned that SFAC was already ahead of this, having implemented a reporting process looking at measuring these very issue areas. She also commented that this was a learning process for the Cultural Centers and SFAC staff.
   
   She prefaced her presentation by saying that some Cultural Centers realized they were ambitious with activities listed in their reports. Ideally, the Centers’ work extends beyond what was listed in the grant plan, however some Centers did fall short on their activities. She mentioned that since changes happened throughout the year, the Cultural Centers should discuss in advance with a program officer if they felt they could not meet their anticipated goals. She also mentioned that the reporting method provides insight into the strengths of the Centers, areas of improvement, and their support of the broader community.
   
   Ms. Takayama mentioned the broad range of programmatic activities that the Centers’ produce. She clarified that these Cultural Center-produced activities are separate from rentals at the Centers. She said that another element Cultural Centers are required to report on is support of the arts sector and how they support the broader community. She gave several examples of Cultural Centers in which they accomplished each.
   
   Ms. Takayama described the ways that SFAC measured the buildup of each Cultural Centers’ infrastructure. This includes the organization’s financial reserve for facilities and programs, for which the Arts Commission recommends a three-month reserve. Last year Cultural Centers were asked to develop the plan, and this year they began implementing their plan. SFAC also asked Cultural Centers to develop plans for diversified revenue, and provide health insurance for all employees working 20 hours or more by the end of this year.
   
   For Centers with buildings, Ms. Takayama commented that Arts Commission staff asked that they ensure good stewardship through a maintenance and repair plan. They also had to provide an affordable rental plan with metrics and transparency on discounted rates.
   
   SFAC staff also plans to facilitate cohort learning for Cultural Centers to be able to share the key skills and tools needed to strengthen their programming and infrastructure. She also reminded Commissioners that they passed a default and offset policy for Cultural Centers to require reports to be completed on time.
   
   SFAC Capital Analyst Kate Faust gave an informational presentation on capital investments of the facilities. Ms. Faust reminded the Commissioners that the City’s responsibility as landlord is to cover the building systems. The tenant should cover: basic maintenance, programmatic needs (for example: sprung floor, theater lighting, painting the gallery space), clogged toilets and dripping sinks, doors, doorknobs, keys, broken windows, tree trimming, and security. SFAC has covered tenant responsibilities when emergency support is needed or when additional funding is available. 
   
   Ms. Faust described the Real Estate Division provides one Building and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor and one Senior Stationary Engineer to support the Cultural Centers. On many occasions, they provide informal capacity building and technical assistance to the facilities managers.
   
   Ms. Faust presented SFAC’s annual allocation from the Capital Planning Committee for Cultural Center projects. Two HVAC projects have been funded: AAACC in 2016, which has been delayed due to citywide bidding and contracting issues, and MCCLA which should be completed by 2019. SFAC is working with the Mayor’s Office of Disability to upgrade the SOMArts facility to be ADA compliant, which has been postponed due to staffing constraints at DPW. Construction is currently estimated to begin by early Spring 2018 and construction duration will be approximately 8 months. SFAC is also working with Real Estate and the Department of Public works to address both the freight and passenger elevators at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
   
   The $5.25 Million dollar renovation of the Bayview Opera House was completed in 2016. Ongoing projects the city has invested in include security and IT upgrades and painting the exterior of the building.
   
   SFAC is beginning the two-year capital budget process for FY19 and 20. Last fiscal year Capital Planning approved over $2.9 million in capital investment in the Centers for FY18 and FY19.
   
   Commissioner Collins asked if there have been changes in the scope or cost of projects that have been delayed. Ms. Faust responded that there have been no known changes but that it could be a possibility since prices have increased since the first estimates were set. She mentioned that the City is receiving fewer bids than anticipated, so the pricing on those bids is significantly higher than they had originally estimated they would be. Commissioner Collins replied that he felt his role as a Commissioner was to advocate for what was promised, and asked Ms. Faust to keep them updated if there was any deviation from the estimates. She agreed.
   
   Commissioner Shiota mentioned that she felt using the Cultural Centers with buildings to host crossover programming for the virtual Cultural Centers is excellent. Ms. Mumby mentioned that there was a lot of cross-collaboration between the virtual and brick-and-mortar Centers.
   
   Ms. Takayama prepared the Commissioners for presentations by the Cultural Centers on their first quarter programming, and any shifts in their approach to the work, as well as facilities updates for the brick-and-mortar Centers.
   
   Artistic Director Pamela Peniston from the Queer Cultural Center (“QCC”) gave an informational presentation. She mentioned that the QCC’s largest programing is the National Queer Arts Festival (“NQAF”) and that June and July is their busiest time. Board member and filmmaker Cheryl Dunye and founding board member Rudy Lemcke talked a bit more about their programming.  
   
   Ms. Peniston mentioned they grew their board from eight to eleven members, with nine members of color. They are transitioning two founding board and staff members. Jeff Jones and Ms. Peniston are training their replacements.
   
   Executive Director Vinay Patel from Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (“APICC”) shared festival highlights, how they are reimagining of their work and advocacy as well as how they support the community. He shared the number of attendees, and statistics about artists served in 2017 as well as several examples of current and recent works.
   
   APICC hired a consultant to learn how they can better support artists and audiences given shifts in audience. They are beginning to implement the changes from the consultation in this year. They are also offering workshops such as fundraising, grantwriting, marketing, and taxes. Mr. Patel described how APICC focuses advocacy on Arts for a Better Bay Area and Better SF. He also mentioned how APICC fiscally sponsored several organizations. Mr. Patel stated that APICC accomplishes its community support goals by partnering with other Asian arts organizations and by offering grant writing assistance for communities.
   
   Commissioner Shiota shared that she felt that the breadth of the Cultural Centers’ platforms was amazing and she was happy to support it.
   
   Commissioner Collins thanked Jeff Jones for his advocacy to create the Cultural Equity Fund several decades ago.
   
   Co-Directors Melonie and Melorra Green from African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”) shared a video about their YBCA100 award and a brief history of their work prior to becoming co-directors at AAACC. They shared their commitment to working with African American communities as well as communities of color; their commitment to intergenerational conversations; and their goals for the future. They shared a new project, a media lab, which allows artists and communities of color to explore and learn emerging technologies. They began tours to reimagine what the Center could be used for, the next will be in January 2018. They invited the public to come by the AAACC to engage with them.
   
   Commissioner Shiota mentioned that she was struck by the mentorship being offered by all the Cultural Centers and that she felt they were truly providing homes for the artists.
   
   Executive Director Barbara Ockel from the Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”) thanked the Commissioners and community members who came out to support. She expressed appreciation for SFAC staff and commissioners for investing so much thought, energy, money, and time in to the renovation. She felt it was amazing how the renovation has changed how people view the space. This year, the building was painted, they had multiple free community events, they offered discounted rentals, and held several youth programs. They collaborated with the Bayview YMCA for their summer program and served over 180 youth and paid eight teaching artists. She said the new fence allows the kids to be safe during their programming, while still freely exploring outside the confines of the building.
   
   Ms. Ockel mentioned they also launched a theater internship program for a diverse group of five local college students, some of whom will become paid teaching assistants for the next session. They had unprecedented interest in rentals of their facilities, with 95 requests since July 1, which is more than they can serve. She said they’ve opened their doors to artists, communities, and nonprofits, with events every other day and they offer substantial discounts to artists and nonprofits. Ms. Ockel shared that their future facility plans include a kitchen renovation funded by the office of Supervisor Malia Cohen and purchasing sound equipment, more signage, as well as an historic plaque.
   
   Commissioner Collins thanked BVOH for Brian Doorhees’ production of Hercules and a heroic and high-risk event with the subject of the history of family violence. He shared that inside the Opera House participants felt peace and had the ability to have that conversation. He shared that he applauded their leadership and encouraged them to continue this kind of programming.
   
   Commissioner Shiota echoed the appreciation for Tom’s advocacy for this program and his elevation of the arts in San Francisco to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors. She felt it was really great to see the capital campaigns.
   
   Executive Director Jennie Rodriguez from the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (“MCCLA”) shared that MCCLA offers approximately 40 to 45 classes per week in visual arts, dance, music, capoeira, meditation, and yoga, with affordable fees. They hold approximately six to eight exhibition in their galleries every year. Their summer youth program serves approximately 160 kids. Ms. Rodriguez mentioned this is their 40^th anniversary year, which they recently celebrated. She shared a photo of the newly restored mural on the outside of the building, during which they worked with the original artists who created the mural 35 years ago. In March, they marked 500 years of fantasy and fashion with an event, and also had an art exhibit highlighting their 40-year anniversary. Ms. Rodriguez spoke about their participation in Carnaval, which is an intense process from the end of January to May. Isabel Barraza, one of the board members, mentioned that MCCLA also works in conjunction with Thomas Edison Charter Academy, which is a big part of their arts education around Carnaval. She shared about their roughly 25 collaborations per year, including inviting international artists.
   
   Executive Director Maria Jensen from SOMArts Cultural Center shared pamphlets that showed upcoming programming and discussed their first quarter programming including the exhibition, The Black Woman is God, with 70 exhibiting artists and over 800 gallery visitors, in addition to 1,200 attendees for their opening night. They also held the annual Night Light production featuring over 40 exhibiting artists with 22 artists compensated and over 1,200 audience members. They also held their 18^th annual Día de los Muertos exhibit, with multiple events including an opening, closing, and Mission Salon, as well as 1000 attendees, with more students touring than in previous years, and more interest than they were able to accommodate. They also began to work with La Cocina to provide food vendors at events and invited artists to vend at events.
   
   Ms. Jensen thanked Ms. Faust for help with their facility upgrades and was excited to be able to provide accessibility upgrades with the help of the Mayor’s Office on Disability. They are also undergoing installation of additional electrical outlets to provide better lighting.
   
   Commissioner Collins mentioned in December 2016 that Ms. Jensen was named as a cultural leader to watch and commented that it was wonderful to have her in the community.
   
   Commissioner Shiota acknowledged the big changes in structure and reporting for Cultural Centers and commended them for responding well. She said these changes are out of love and wanting the Centers to become more sustainable and prepare for change. She mentioned that they were doing great work. She asked each Cultural Center to share what they are doing to diversify income streams.
   
   Mr. DeCaigny responded by suggesting that this information could be aggregated from the MPPs for the Commissioners to review since Vice President Ordeñana would need to depart soon and the Committee would lose quorum.
   
   Vice President Ordeñana commended the staff of the Cultural Centers for their hard work to bring communities together, and also thanked them for preparing to present to the commissioners today.
   
   Vice President Ordeñana asked for public comment. There was none.
   
   Explanatory Documents:
   Cultural Center Presentation (pdf)
   Cultural Center Facilities Presentation (pdf)
   Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center Presentation (pdf)
   AAACC Presentation (pdf)
   BVOH Presentation (pdf)
   MCCLA Presentation (pdf)
   SOMArts Presentation (pdf)
5. New Business and Announcements
   Vice President Ordeñana asked for new businesses and announcements. There was none.
   
   Vice President Ordeñana asked for public comment. There was none.
    
6. Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m.
   
    

Posted 11/28/2017 4:12 p.m. CL

1/8/18 minutes adopted

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@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，Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.