MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, March 28, 2016
12:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

President Beltran called the meeting to order at 12:36 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present 
   JD Beltran, President
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Charles Collins
   Abby Sadin Schnair
    
   Commissioners Absent 
   Simon Frankel
    
2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Director’s Report
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that he and staff are working on an update on the strategic plan. He is also working closely with Arts Commission staff and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to address the Mayor’s directive on strengthening access to affordable housing for artists. He reported on visits to artist housing projects in Sacramento and in Santa Cruz, and on how artists are matched with housing in these developments.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny discussed several issues related to affordable artist housing, including how artists fit into the various communities of people seeking affordable housing opportunities, legal and funding questions, identification of appropriate sites, and how other jurisdictions are addressing this need. He reported that he has been meeting with President Beltran, private funders and developers, and hopes to convene a working group.
    
   The Committee discussed the issue in detail, including research already done, next steps, what specific design needs artist housing might have, how artists might be matched with available housing by a panel and/or a lottery, how to use existing resources in novel ways.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny added that the Arts Commission has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to help artists access existing resources for affordable housing. He recalled the model of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, helping its community to access existing affordable housing resources; he proposed this as one part of a two-pronged approach along with developing additional resoures. As to workspace, he noted some successful models with housing on upper floors above a ground-floor public retail or studio space, or where artists working at different times of day might share a workspace, or several might share a specialized resource like a kiln.
    
   President Beltran mentioned the new Minnesota Street project, and added that the California College of the Arts is also interested because of the need for housing for their students. She discussed other models, like cooperatives, with for-profit or nonprofit structures outside of public funding, to provide what artists need to sustain themselves beyond school.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny added that a request for proposals specific to affordable artist housing would come before the Commission for approval. He added that under the Cultural Equity legislation, artist housing is a clear mandate for the agency.
    
   The Committee pointed out that artist housing should not be limited to certain neighborhoods, and that artists are often transformative for the neighborhoods where they live.
    
   Next, Mr. DeCaigny reported that the Board of Supervisors recently approved a $100,000 Super Bowl impact fund, intended to compensate individuals and small businesses impacted by Super Bowl City, up to $600 each, depending on the total number of claims filed. He reported that Street Artists Program staff are working with the artists, some of whom have already filed claims.
    
   He reported that he and Brian Cheu of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (“MOHCD”) presented a joint report to the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee on the Nonprofit Displacement Mitigation Fund, and several representatives of the nonprofits who have benefited made public comment. Mr. DeCaigny praised the partnership with and praised the partnership with MOHCD and with the Northern California Community Loan Fund, which is administering the funds. He discussed some highlights of the report, and said that he would present a summary to the full Arts Commission.
    
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Sonic Engagements, a Temporary LIZ project in United Nations Plaza
   Mr. DeCaigny invited Director of Special Projects and the Public Art Trust Jill Manton to discuss this project. She introduced the project team, including representatives from the Exploratorium.
    
   Ms. Manton reviewed the overall Living Innovation Zone (“LIZ”) project and asked the design team to present this project set for United Nations Plaza. They discussed the site and its challenges, described the temporary project to be installed for up to two years, and presented a variety of images. They explained that the pieces have been built and tested in the Exploratorium, some for many years. They discussed their relationship with the Recreation and Parks Department and the Department of Public Works and plans for maintenance.
    
   The Committee discussed the project, including concerns about durability and maintenance. They were enthusiastic about the project overall.
    
   There was no public comment. The motion was amended to address the timing, and was approved unanimously as follows.
    
   Motion to approve the temporary installation of Sonic Engagements, a Living Innovation Zone (“LIZ”) Project, in United Nations Plaza from May, 2016 to May, 2018.
    
5. Public Art Trust Funding for Intrude Security
   Ms. Manton briefly reported on the Public Art Trust and contributions made to date, as well as potential uses for the fund and next steps. The Committee praised the expertise of Arts Commission staff in developing and managing this innovative program.
    
   Ms. Manton then described plans for 24-hour security for the inflatable sculpture installation Intrude, to be paid for with funds from the Public Art Trust. Mr. DeCaigny added that the entire amount requested might not be needed, but this was a timely expenditure.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to approve an allocation of up to $25,000 from anonymous contributions made to the Public Art Trust to cover maintenance, safety and security costs associated with the Intrude public art installation by Amanda Parer, taking place in Civic Center Plaza between April 4th and April 25th, 2016.
    
6. New Business and Announcements
   President Beltran announced the preview events preceding the reopening of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Commissioners briefly discussed the importance of the museum to San Francisco, and its commitment to free admission for youth.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny announced two events on April 6: the dedication of Intrude, and the free public event featuring Mayor’s Art Award recipient Armistead Maupin in conversation with former Arts Commission staffer and Library Commission President Jewelle Gomez.
    
   Commissioner Schnair announced the ArtCare fundraising event honoring Mr. Maupin and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Steven Oliver on March 29.
    
   There was no further new business or announcements, and no public comment.
    
7. Adjournment 
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:03 p.m.
    

posted 4/8/16 4:45 p.m. spr
approved 5/2/16


 

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.