MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, November 6, 2017
2:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Revised Minutes

President Beltran called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

1. Roll Call
    
   Commissioners Present
   JD Beltran, President
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Simon Frankel
   Mary Jung
   Dorka Keehn
   Sherene Melania
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Janine Shiota
   Jessica Silverman
   Barbara Sklar
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Paul Woolford
    
   Commissioners Absent
   Charles Collins
   Marcus Shelby
   Lydia So
   Rich Hillis, ex officio
    
    
2. Approval of Minutes
   There was no public comment, and the corrected minutes were unanimously approved as follows.
    
   RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-324: Motion to approve October 2, 2017 Minutes.
    
3. General Public Comment
   Francisco Da Costa said that he was at the Commission’s October meeting, and thought that his comments were not accurately recorded in the minutes. He spoke about Bayview Opera House, and said that mostly the African American community has helped to maintain it. He said that he has attempted to get facts about the management of the Opera House, and he questioned its financial reports. He said that the people of Bayview have a lot of patience, but they want to be informed.
    
   Kevin Williams said that he was at the Commission’s October meeting, and he explained that he was the son of Ruth Williams, namesake of the Bayview Opera House theater. He said what was happening there is a travesty. He said that in response to his correspondence, he was referred to the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee. He said that there had been 58 shootings in the Bayview, and that the arts are a way to offset the violence. He said that renting the building to the nonprofit for one dollar a year, and then charging community residents $4,000 was wrong. He also said that many of the community members had experienced prison, and that the fence around the Opera House was perceived as maximum security. He said that the community doesn’t want an adversarial relationship with the Commission, but wants to educate them. He criticized the recent event there, the Player’s Ball, which he said celebrated pimps and human trafficking, not black culture. He introduced his legal counsel, Emmett Gilman.
    
   Mr. Gilman said that he had worked with Mr. Williams over the years, and couldn’t really expand on his comments. He agreed that the Opera House is an important resource, that the community should feel they have a right to be there and enjoy cultural presentations.
    
   There was no further public comment.
    
   The public was reminded that speakers may, if they wish, submit a written summary of their comments of up to 150 words for inclusion in the minutes.
    
4. Director’s Report
   Mr. DeCaigny began his report by explaining that staff has responded to several Sunshine Ordinance requests regarding the Bayview Opera House. He explained that the Cultural Centers, including the Bayview Opera House, fall under the purview of the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee, and that the agenda for the Committee’s next meeting includes a full report from each of the Cultural Centers. He announced that the meeting would take place at its regular time, Tuesday, November 13 at 1:00. He invited members of the community to attend the meeting.
    
   President Beltran asked Mr. DeCaigny to clarify the relationship between the Commission and the Centers; he explained that the City owns all four of the buildings, and the Commission provides general operating grants to the nonprofit organizations that operate them, as well as to the “virtual” Centers. Mr. DeCaigny added that the Commission oversees the performance of the grantee nonprofits, and staff spends considerable time ensuring that they are meeting the needs of the community.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported on the opening of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, with its new public art. He reported that several City officials were present at the dedication, and he thanked Public Art staff for their work.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that he and several Arts Commission staff had attended the annual Grantmakers in the Arts conference in Detroit, and that Arts Commission staff participated in a workshop for local arts agencies, particularly focused on racial equity. He added that it was a great opportunity to share information with colleagues around the country.
    
   He also reported on his trip to Seoul for the sixth summit of the World Cities Culture Forum, with about 75 representatives from 38 world cultural capitals, including New York, Los Angeles, Austin and San Francisco in the United States. Mr. DeCaigny announced that San Francisco will host the 2018 meeting, with the support of San Francisco Travel. President Beltran congratulated him on this great accomplishment; Mr. DeCaigny thanked Director of Communications Kate Patterson-Murphy, Senior Policy Analyst Anh Thang Dao-Shah and Director of Public and Private Partnerships Rachelle Axel for their work in support of the forum.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny invited Community Investments Program Officer Liz Ozol to report on the fourth annual Every Day, Every Way youth arts programming conference. She reported that more than 60 people participated, and there was great interest in having the event twice yearly.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny announced the launch of Street Artists at the Ocean Air Market on November 12, as well as other holiday pop-up locations. He thanked Market Manager Anne Trickey for her work on establishing these new markets.
    
   He reported on several other events, including an open house at the African American Art and Culture Center welcoming new co-directors Melanie and Melorra Green, the presentation of the Culture Track report at Fort Mason, and the Galleries’ fundraiser, Passport, held this year on Polk Street.
    
   Public Comment:
   Mr. Da Costa thanked the Director and Commissioners for representing San Francisco and inviting artists from around the world. He cited his own experience with the Department of the Interior, the Army and park police. He said that he wanted everyone to understand that citizens are allowed public comment. He said that the city was named after Saint Francis, and that should inspire us to embrace everyone and have compassion and tolerance. He said that art introduces young people to feelings and sentiments that make us better people. He said that the Jesuits who educated him trained him well, and encouraged the Commission to pay attention to people dying in the inner cities because they were denied opportunities.
    
    
   There was no further public comment.
    
5. Nomination and Election of Arts Commission Officers
   In the absence of Commissioner Collins, Commissioner Frankel reported on the October 24 meeting of the Nominating Committee, which solicited recommendations from Commissioners and feedback from the Mayor’s office.
    
   President Beltran and Vice President Ordeñana stepped out of the meeting at 2:38 p.m. for the discussion. Commissioner Frankel reported that the Committee expressed a great deal of confidence in the current leadership and unanimously recommended nominating them for another term. Commissioners quickly agreed that both have done an excellent job and were pleased that they were willing to continue serving.
    
   There was no further discussion, and President Beltran and Vice President Ordeñana returned to the room at 2:40 p.m. for the vote.
    
   There was no public comment, and the Commission voted unanimously to elect JD Beltran as President and Roberto Ordeñana as Vice President of the Commission.
    
   President Beltran and Vice President Ordeñana thanked the Commission for the honor of continuing to serve, and praised their colleagues on the Commission, as well as Mr. DeCaigny and the staff for their service to the City.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny thanked them for their support and for their hard work as volunteers, both in the Committees and as ambassadors in the community.
    
6. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
   1. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—Sherene Melania, Chair
      1. Commissioner Melania congratulated Ms. Ozol on a very successful event. Noting that the Community Investments team has two vacant positions, she also thanked Barbara Mumby for serving as interim director. Commissioner Melania announced that San Francisco was hosting two national conferences: the National Guild for Community Arts Education and the National Performance Network. The Arts Commission will hold a reception on November 17 for trustees of the former, and is supporting scholarships for local artists to attend the latter.
          
         Finally, she announced that the Arts Commission will partner with Emerging Arts Professionals to offer two scholarships in memory of Ebony McKinney, who was always available to lend an ear to emerging arts professionals.
          
         There was no public comment.
          
   2. Civic Design Review Committee—Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
      1. Commissioner Stryker explained that she was not at the Committee's last meeting, and asked Commissioner Woolford to make the report. He reported that the Committee reviewed an extraordinary project at India Basin, with historic structures repurposed as visitor centers, and the heretofore walled-off waterfront opened up to the neighbors and to the city at large.
          
         Commissioner Stryker introduced the following motion, explaining that the project in question was reviewed at the Committee's recent meeting. Due to a clerical error, it was calendared for Phase 1 review instead of Phases 1 and 2. The Committee found it appropriate for Phase 2 approval, but could not approve Phase 2 because Phase 2 was not on the agenda. The Commission was now being asked to ratify that Phase 2 approval.
          
         There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
          
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-325: Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center Project contingent upon: 1) consideration of location of trees in relation to art; 2) refining the overhang in regards to solar shading and detail; 3) reviewing the fenestration pattern on the concrete wall; and 4) being judicious in the use of supergraphics.
          
         President Beltran congratulated Commissioner Woolford, whose firm won two of ten awards from the American Institute of Architects for the best sustainable design excellence in the nation.
          
   3. Visual Arts Committee—Dorka Keehn, Chair
      1. Commissioner Keehn reported that the Committee reviewed an artwork by Kota Ezawa, Mondrian Meets the Beatles, for the San Francisco Airport
          
         Commissioner Keehn presented the following motion and asked Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious to discuss it.
          
      2. Discussion and possible motion to approve the project outline for commissioning a statue of Dr. Maya Angelou for installation at the Main Library in accord with the Board of Supervisors’ pending legislation regarding San Francisco’s policy on the representation of women in the public realm. The statue will become part of the Civic Art Collection.
          
         Ms. Pontious briefly reviewed the project outline, which calls for a statue in a permanent material (like stone or bronze) representing Maya Angelou to be placed at the Main Library. Ms. Pontious briefly discussed the process of commissioning such an artwork, including a tentative budget and possible timeline. She explained that the motion was before the Commission as the result of pending legislation by the Board of Supervisors, introduced by Supervisor Farrell. His legislative aide, Margo Kelly, addressed the Commission, explaining his views. She explained that his proposed legislation is intended to increase the representation of women in the public sphere, with a goal of 30% by 2020, and that this is part of a broader initiative to acknowledge the accomplishments of women.
          
         Commissioners were enthusiastic about the creation of an artwork honoring Ms. Angelou, but had several concerns about requiring that it be specifically a literally representational bronze or stone statue. They objected that this was a dated and old-fashioned form and that it limited the potential pool of artists. They argued that the project should go through the normal process of review and discussion by the Visual Arts Committee. The Commission also challenged the idea of a 30% goal; maybe 50% was more appropriate. Ms. Kelly noted that this goal would apply throughout the public realm, including street names and other things, and that the Department on the Status of Women would be reporting regularly on progress.
          
         The Commission also emphasized that Ms. Angelou was most known for her use of language, and that focusing on a representation of her face was not the best way to honor her contribution. Ms. Kelly pointed out the location of the artwork at the Main Library as honoring her writing, and noted the inspiration that young people can find in seeing images of people like themselves. The Commission said that the Visual Arts Committee could require that the artwork include a visual representation without mandating a bronze sculpture. They thanked the Supervisor and agreed to continue discussion.
          
         Finally, Ms. Pontious pointed out that over the last ten years, 51% of Public Art commissions have gone to women artists.
          
         Public Comment:
         Thomas Simpson of AfroSolo Theatre Company asked the Commission to consider how a 30% gender setaside fit with the idea that racial setasides are considered negatively. He said that while Ms. Angelou was an inspiration to all, he did not want to see her represented as a de-Africanized “everywoman.”
          
         There was no further public comment, and the motion was tabled and referred to the Visual Arts Committee for consideration.
          
      3. Commissioner Keehn presented the following motion, and the Commission discussed it briefly.
          
         There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
          
         RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-326: Motion to approve an extension of up to six months, until May 2018, of the temporary sculpture installation by artists HYBYCOZO in Hayes Valley’s Patricia’s Green, consisting of two illuminated sculptures of geometric forms made from perforated laser-cut stainless steel and respectively six feet and ten feet high.
          
7. Consent Calendar
   President Beltran noted that Sunny Angulo of Supervisor Peskin’s office was present to request the continuation of item 23, regarding the JCDecaux kiosks. She acknowledged that the Civic Design Review Committee had reviewed the kiosks four times, and that the Commission had jurisdiction over only certain aspects of the project, and not over the digital advertising. Members of the Committee noted that they had completed their review, with ample opportunity for public comment. Simon Bertrang of Public Works discussed how the department is working through the contract with JCDecaux regarding advertising, and he noted that the digital advertising is paying for the toilets. Commissioners noted that if the City’s contract negotiations with JCDecaux result in design changes, those changes will come back to the Civic Design Review Committee. Commissioners and Mr. DeCaigny added that revenue from the kiosk advertising currently benefits the Art on Market Street program, as well as nonprofit arts.
    
   There was no motion to withdraw or sever item 23 from the Consent Calendar.
    
   There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously as follows.
    
   RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-327:
   Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
    
   1. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-328: Motion to approve the amended Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2017.
       
   2. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-329: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of October 18, 2017.
       
   3. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-330: Motion to approve the Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2017.
       
      Executive Committee Recommendations (September 25, 2017)
       
   4. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-331: Motion to increase the Special Project Grant to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society (authorized by Resolution No. 1205-16-319) by $200,000, for a total grant amount not to exceed $400,000 and to extend the grant window to June 30, 2019. This grant is to support continued capacity-building efforts.
       
      Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Recommendations (October 10, 2017)
       
   5. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-332: Motion to rescind the FY2016-2017 Arts for Neighborhood Vitality grant to The Village Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Booker T. Washington Community Service Center) for an amount not to exceed $3,000, authorized by Resolution No. 0501-17-107.
       
   6. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-333: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a FY2016-2017 Arts for Neighborhood Vitality grant with The Village Project (Fiscal Sponsor: Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco) for an amount not to exceed $3,000.
       
   7. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-334: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a FY2016-2017 Organization Project Grant with Asian Improv aRts (Fiscal Sponsor: SOMArts Cultural Center) for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
       
   8. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-335: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a FY2016-2017 Artists and Communities in Partnership grant with Asian Improv aRts (Fiscal Sponsor: SOMArts Cultural Center) for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
       
      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (October 18, 2017)
       
   9. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-336: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 1002-17-261, which authorized a $600,000 increase of the contract with Kiboworks to extend the linear footage of the Jenny Holzer artwork at the Transbay Transit Center by 110 linear feet for a new total linear footage of 200 feet and a contract amount not to exceed $1,340,000.
       
   10. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-337: Motion to approve a $600,000 increase to the contract with Kiboworks, Inc. to increase the height of the Jenny Holzer LED artwork at the Transbay Transit Center to a maximum of 15 feet and the length of the artwork to a new total ranging from 173 to 200 linear feet. The total amount of the contract with Kiboworks shall not exceed $1,340,000.
        
   11. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-338: Motion to approve artist honorarium for the research and development of works in the SFAC Main Gallery exhibition, Conversation 7 (opening February 2018): Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle $3,000.
        
   12. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-339: Motion to approve as installed The Great Blue Heron, 2017, painted water-jet cut steel panel, and The California Condor, 2017, painted water-jet cut steel panel, by Carmen Lomas Garza for In Chan Kaajal Park at 17th and Folsom Streets.
        
   13. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-340: Motion to approve the artwork, Mondrian Meets the Beatles, 2017 by Kota Ezawa as installed at the San Francisco International Airport: International Terminal, Boarding Area G, Gate Room 100.
        
   14. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-341: Motion to approve the selected finalists, Larry Bell, Jim Campbell, Johanna Grawunder, Jennifer Steinkamp and Diana Thater as recommended by the artist selection panel for the San Francisco International Airport: Long-Term Parking Garage Project.
        
   15. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-342: Motion to approve the public art project outline for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1, South Courtyard.
        
   16. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-343: Motion to approve the public art project outline for San Francisco International Airport: International Terminal, Boarding Area G.
        
   17. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-344: Motion to approve artists Miguel Arzabe, Sofía Córdova, Rodney Ewing and Weston Teruya, and their conceptual proposals for the 2018 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, as recommended by the artist selection panel.
        
   18. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-345: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contracts with Miguel Arzabe, Sofía Córdova, Rodney Ewing and Weston Teruya, for an amount not exceed $10,000 each, for the 2018 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.
        
   19. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-346: Motion to approve David Huffman, Sanaz Mazinani and Muzae Sesay as finalists for the Golden Gate Tennis Center Public Art Project as recommended by the artist selection panel.
        
   20. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-347: Motion to approve the public art project outline for Geneva Powerhouse.
        
   21. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-348: Motion to approve the transfer of the public art assets associated with the Yerba Buena Center Redevelopment Project to the City and County of San Francisco, pending staff review of asset documentation, current artwork conditions and ongoing maintenance needs, and pending Board of Supervisors approval. These artworks were commissioned by the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (formerly San Francisco Redevelopment Agency) in the early 1990s.
        
       Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (October 23, 2017)
        
   22. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-349: Motion to approve the temporary Linden Alley Lighting Project sponsored by Friends of Linden Alley with light fixtures designed by HYBYCOZO located between Octavia Boulevard and Gough Street for a minimum of five years’ duration.
        
   23. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-350: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the JCDecaux Public Restrooms and Kiosks Project contingent upon using the previous canted base design which covers the existing foundation support.
        
   24. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-351: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center Project contingent upon: 1) consideration of location of trees in relation to art; 2) refining the overhang in regards to solar shading and detail; 3) reviewing the fenestration pattern on the concrete wall; and 4) being judicious in the use of supergraphics.
        
   25. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-352: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Guy Mini Place Park Project.
        
   26. RESOLUTION NO. 1106-17-353: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Southeast Plant Biosolids Digester Facilities—Maintenance Buildings Project contingent upon: 1) developing Scheme A; 2) adding more relief on the overhang of the zinc; 3) taking out the terra cotta on the utilities side of the buildings and considering using concrete or another metal; 4) providing further explanation of cleaning and maintenance of buildings; and 5) coordinating consistent color palette with rest of the campus.
        
8. New Business and Announcements
   Commissioner Silverman announced the opening on November 30 of an exhibit by Isaac Julien at Fort Mason. President Beltran invited everyone to the new graduate facility for the San Francisco Art Institute. Commissioner Keehn announced the unveiling of a Sites Unseen work in Annie's Alley by Hank Willis Thomas and a talk by Marc Bamuthi Joseph.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny announced that staff was working to calendar a full-day retreat for Commissioners and staff early in 2018. He announced that Mission Economic Development Agency was presenting free workshops to assist artists with displacement and other matters. He reported on a partnership with the Mayor’s office to develop a survey early in 2018 to develop information related to artist housing.
    
   President Beltran recommended the McEvoy Foundation exhibition at the Minnesota Street Project.
    
   There was no further news or announcements, and there was no public comment.
    
9. Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
    

posted 11/20/17, 6:30 p.m. spr
revised 12/1/17
approved 12/4/17


 

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.

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 Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256,sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.