MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, January 23, 2017
12:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

President Beltran called the meeting to order at 12:39 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present 
   JD Beltran, President
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Simon Frankel
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   
    
   Commissioners Absent 
   Charles Collins
    
2. General Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Director’s Report
   Mr. DeCaigny was slightly delayed, meeting with the Capital Committee at City Hall. In the meantime, Director of Public and Private Partnerships Rachelle Axel began the report with an update on preparations for the Americans for the Arts Conference, June 16-18, 2017 in San Francisco. She reviewed the responsibilities of the host city, described the activities planned, and listed some of the participating artists and partner organizations. Activities include themed “artventure” tours of various areas both within San Francisco (including Cultural Centers) and in other Bay Area cities.
    
   The Committee discussed her report, including plans for transportation. They suggested the possibility of highlighting the Civic Art Collection in some of the collateral and print materials.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny arrived at approximately 12:54. He explained that the Public Art Network preconference will take place immediately preceding the full Americans for the Arts Conference, focusing specifically on public art, and that the public art programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the San Francisco Airport will be showcased. The Committee discussed how the General Hospital process could be presented as a model for other cities, and Ms. Axel pointed to the brochure prepared on the program.
    
   Vice President Ordeñana arrived at approximately 12:59.
    
   Ms. Axel reported that fundraising is going well. She is also working with the Municipal Transportation Agency on potentially creating an artist-designed commemorative Muni pass for the event.
    
   The Committee discussed attendance and scholarships.
    
   The Committee also asked about how the department might react to changes in direction from the federal government. Mr. DeCaigny reported that he would be joining colleagues in the Western States Arts Federation (“WESTAF”)in Washington, D.C. from January 30 through February 1 to advocate for increases in funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”), the National Endowment for the Humanities (“NEH”) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (“CPB”), taking an optimistic and bipartisan approach. WESTAF points out that $1 per capita would be a significant increase in that funding. He reported that there were not as yet any direct actions on the arts by the new administration. Finally, Mr. DeCaigny noted that San Francisco had received over $4,000,000 in the last few years from the NEA, as well as benefiting from the NEH and CPB.
    
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Arts Commission FY 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Draft Budget
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer Rebekah Krell was away, and Finance Manager Kevin Quan was present to answer financial questions about the budget.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reviewed Ms. Krell’s explanatory memo, including the budget process and timeline, and the Mayor’s budget priorities and directives. Mr. DeCaigny reviewed both the proposed departmental budget and the proposed capital budget line by line. The Committee discussed both budget documents in extensive detail, program by program, including what has changed from prior years’ budgets.
    
   Finally, President Beltran thanked staff for their hard work on the budget.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to approve proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Arts Commission budget.
    
5. New Business and Announcements
   The Committee discussed how the Arts Commission might respond to the current rumblings of change in the new federal administration regarding arts agencies, noting that it was important to be prepared and to anticipate how the Commission could respond. Mr. DeCaigny reported that staff has begun to plan for possible changes, and he noted that San Francisco’s senators and representatives are staunch champions of the arts, and that San Francisco can serve as a model for how the arts are a great investment.
    
   The Committee also discussed the potential impact of cuts to sanctuary cities, noting that Mayor Lee recently reaffirmed San Francisco’s commitment to remain a sanctuary city. A cut in federal funds could be as much as $1 billion out of a $10 billion budget. Mr. DeCaigny reported that he will consult with the City Attorney’s office on what Commissioners and staff can and cannot, and should and should not, do.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny also reported that he is working with the City Attorney’s office, and with staff, on revising bylaws and the Statement of Incompatible Activities. He thanked Commissioner Frankel for his work on the bylaws. He noted that there would be several opportunities for public comment on the documents, and that the Statement of Incompatible Activities would require review by the five unions representing Arts Commission staff, and by the Ethics Commission.
    
   Finally, Commissioners discussed the two art fairs recently held, noting that Untitled offered free booths to arts organizations in exchange for demonstrations or performances of what they do, which served to involve others and promote the organizations.
    
   There was no further new business or announcements, and no public comment.
    
6. Adjournment 
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m.
    

posted 2/6/17 6:15 p.m. spr
approved 3/6/17


 

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Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, 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, 415-252-2256, 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, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.