Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Beltran/Musleh

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Alexander Mullaney with Ocean Avenue Association and Ingleside Merchants Association spoke in support of the passage of Consent Calendar item 1, Ingleside Wildflowers, a mural for a PG&E substation that has long been blighted in the neighborhood.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

4. Public Art Program Report
Susan Pontious

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the FY2019 and FY2020 Public Art Program Report Ms. Pontious listed the artwork completed, the artwork started and the gender, racial and location demographics of the artists selected for each fiscal year.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

The Commissioners praised the work and Commissioner Keehn asked Ms. Pontious to give a condensed version of this report, particularly the demographics, at the next Full Commission meeting.

5. Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Policies
Susan Pontious

Ms. Pontious presented the industry wide best practices in the Americans for the Arts’ report Cultural Equity in the Public Art Field.  Ms. Pontious stated that the report was more of a framework for how to think and approach cultural equity, an attitude/philosophy, than a specific set of guidelines and feels it will be particularly helpful in engaging the community. Adoption of this policy, in addition to the previously adopted Best Practices for Public Art Projects, are part of the restorative justice the Commission is engaged in with artist Lava Thomas.

Motion: Motion to adopt the best practice industry wide practices covered in the Americans for the Arts’ report Cultural Equity in the Public Art Field as part of the Arts Commission’s commitment to affirming racial equity in its programs, policies and practices.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment

Commissioner Keehn asked that Ms. Pontious report back to the Committee on how they plan to incorporate the report into the work of the Public Art department.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

6. Public Art Selection Process Review
Mary Chou

Senior Program Manager, Public Art, Mary Chou presented the San Francisco Art Commission’s Public Art selection process. Ms. Chou described the steps in artist and panel selection of a project, the types and levels of approvals different types of projects require and final decision making authority for different projects. Ms. Chou also discussed recent changes, including those prompted by issues with the 2019 Maya Angelou RFQ, and possible future changes to this process. 

Ms. Chou stated that client relationships vary depending on the agency. Certain enterprise agencies, like the San Francisco Port (a state agency) and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, are not mandated to use the San Francisco Arts Commission for their arts enrichment funds. The SFAC acts more as consultants to those agencies and has no legal authority. Otherwise, all City departments, like the Public Library and Recreation & Park Department, are required to use the Arts Commission for their art enrichment requirement as per Section 3.19 of the administrative code. Ms. Chou summarized the selection process, the role of community, public comment, and client engagement in the process.

The Commissioners asked multiple questions about and made suggestions to the process. These included looking at the point system of evaluation at Grants For The Arts to see if it can be applied to this process; broadening the art selection criteria; making sure that it is clear and stated often that the client has final decision; enter into MOU’s with clients and panelists so they clearly understand their roles (panel members are advisory in nature); make the SFAC website more user friendly and put the selection process powerpoint presented here on it; make a separate panelist orientation; examine how to better engage the community and client organization; examine how to weigh public comment (should it receive a vote, should the Visual Arts Committee review community input); and include community input in Visual Arts Committee minutes.

Commissioner Keehn asked Ms. Chou to address some of the Commissioner comments and suggestions about the process, specifically around the panelist selection process, panelist orientation process, and the role of public comment, and to report back to the Committee.

7. Monument Review Process

Commissioner Nabiel Musleh gave an overview and update of the Monument Review process that the Arts Commission is working on in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission and the Recreation and Parks Department. Senior Registrar Allison Cummings stated that the Arts Commission website has an FAQ up and will soon publish a complete list of monuments.

Commissioner Keehn polled the Committee to see if they would be interested in reaching out to Monument Lab and asking them to come and talk at a meeting, all were in favor.

Public Comment:
John Christian, Executive Director, Archdiocese of San Francisco Real Property Support Corp. emailed a comment to be read at the meeting. Mr. Christian stated that if, during the Monuments Review process, the City decides to dispose of the Junipero Serra statue by Doublas Tilden and if it is in good condition, the archdiocese would be interested in acquiring the statue and preserving it. 

8. Bayview Opera House Temporary Projection Series
Jill Manton

Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Director Jill Manton introduced Ben Davis of Illuminate the Arts to present a temporary projection series, Voice, by Davis and Tyra Fennel of Imprint City at Bayview Opera House (BVOH), a building under jurisdiction of the San Francisco Arts Commission. Barbara Ockle, director of the BVOH, spoke in support of this fully reversible light mural on the blank back wall, which is the backdrop of an outdoor performance space. Voice, will project images in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement in conjunction with the Say Their Names portrait series by Radha Mehta. The budget is $90,000. The project will allow the BVOH to engage with their community outdoors during the pandemic. Committee approval is subject to Historic Preservation Commission.

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary installation of Voice, a two year fully reversible low resolution light wall framed in stainless steel to be installed at no cost to the City, on the south facade Bayview Opera House, a City owned building under the jurisdiction of the Arts Commission, which will serve as a platform to present art projects in support of Black Lives Matter, the first week of which is a memorial portrait series by Radha Mehta, pending approval from the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission.  
Moved: Walker/Beltran

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

9. Treasure Island Art Program
Jill Manton

Ms. Manton presented the selection of artists Joana Vasconcelos and Yinka Shonibare for the development of a unique site specific proposal for the Waterfront Plaza site. Ms. Manton gave background of the Treasure Island Art Program, the artists and of the San Francisco Arts Commission’s role as manager but not final approval of these projects. The Treasure Island Art Program is part of the 1 percent for private development. Two artists are being commissioned to submit for one proposal but if the Steering Committee likes both, they may be able to direct one of the works to a separate site.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Arts Commission to enter into a MOU with artist Joana Vasconcelos for an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the development of a unique site specific proposal for the Waterfront Plaza site.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Arts Commission to enter into a MOU with artist Yinka Shonibare for an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the development of a unique site specific proposal for the Waterfront Plaza site.
Moved: Shiota/Musleh

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

10. Minna/Natoma Art Corridor Project Plan
Jill Manton

Ms. Manton gave a brief overview of the Minna/Natomoa Art Corridor Project Plan and introduced Paul Chasan from City Planning to discuss the plan in more depth. This is a voluntary Streetscape project with San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, SFMTA and the Planning Department to improve and the pedestrian corridor between the Transbay Terminal and the Yerba Buena district along Minna and Natoma streets, it is not mandated art enrichment. Art sites will be located both in public right of way (sidewalks, lighting, etc.) and private property owners (sides of buildings). The project will come before the San Francisco Arts Commission for review.

Motion: Motion to approve the Project Plan for the Natoma Art Corridor as descried in the Curatorial Framework prepared for the program.
Moved: Ferras/Beltran

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Marcelo Aviles of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, appreciates that while there has been a lot of talk about racial equity and diversity in this proposal, it is being proposed by two white people and one of the main contributors is SFMOMA who has their own racial problems currently. It doesn’t seem like there has been much outreach to other cultural organizations in the area. More outreach would be good as well as adding a crosswalk in the area as it doesn’t go all the way through.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

11. Joseph Alioto Performing Arts Piazza Temporary Installation
Jill Manton

Commissioner Keehn recused herself from item 11 and left the meeting at 6:10PM. Commissioner Ferras facilitated item 11.

Ms. Manton gave a brief overview and introduced Project Manager Jeremy Paul of the temporary Installation of The Shelter in Place Temple in the Joseph P. Alioto Performing Arts Piazza. The installation would last approximately six months. The project grows out of the Burning Man Temple project with the intention of creating a non-denominational spiritual space for San Franciscans. The center inside the structure would have a “ballet ready” floor to allow for arts groups to perform outdoors in a socially-distanced manner with use of the sycamore grove on either side for the audience to observe safely distanced from each other.

Commissioners asked if there is an existing plan for a socially-distanced audience and commented on the need to prevent climbing of the structure. Mr. Paul stated that these plans are not yet in place but will be and that the temple will have twenty-four hour security.

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary installation of an illuminated temple-like sculpture entitled The Shelter in Place Temple in Joseph Alioto Performing Arts Piazza by artists Laurence Renzo Verbeck and Syliva Lisse for a period of six months commencing late fall 2020 which is to be installed at no cost to the City, pending procurement of all necessary approvals and the funding required for the project in addition to arrangements for security night and day. The project team shall be responsible for the performance of maintenance of the sculpture as required for the duration of the installation. This installation may be extended upon approval of the Arts Commission and Recreation and Park Commission. 
Moved: Beltran/Shiota

Commissioner Ferras called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Ferras, Beltran, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

Commissioner Schnair left the meeting at 6:28PM
Commissioner Keehn returned to the meeting at 6:29PM

12. Southeast Health Center Expansion Project
Jackie von Treskow

Project Manager Jackie von Treskow presented the Design Development Phase deliverables (final artwork design, material sample) by Ramekon O’Arwisters for the Southeast Health Center Expansion Project in the Bayview District. This is one of three art opportunities at this site. Mr. O’Arwisters, a textile artist, is creating a crocheted fabric tapestry titled Woven Calmness for the Center’s main lobby. The artwork is based on the African-American tradition of folk-art weaving and fabric traditions and their imbued powers to heal, support and unite in times of adversity.  O’Arwisters has been working closely with a textile conservation consultant to identify the parameters for his fabric selections, as well as the methods by which the final artwork will be mounted and displayed. The final artwork, which will measure approximately 23 by 9 feet, will be comprised of six sections of tapestry measuring approximately 3 by 6 feet. The artwork will be crocheted and woven using a selection clean, colorfast piece-dyed and printed fabrics, attached to an organic linen-lined backer board using stainless steel screws, and mounted inside of a custom design display case with UV-protectant anti-glare glass.

Motion: Motion to approve Design Development Phase deliverables (final artwork design, material sample) by Ramekon O’Arwisters for the Southeast Health Center Expansion Project.
Moved: Beltran/Musleh

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Shiota, Walker

13. San Francisco International Airport: Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Atrium
Zoë Taleporos

Project Manager Zoë Taleporos presented the finalist for the San Francisco International Airport, Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Atrium Project, including an overview of the project and nearby artworks. The art opportunity covers approximately 2,300 feet of wall space spanning three stories, with the possibility of including columns or other architectural elements through the space. Five artists were selected as finalists; Nina Chanel Abney, Math Bass, Craig Calderwood, Jeffrey Cheung, and Chelsea Wong. Ms. Taleporos gave a brief description of each artist and their work.

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists Nina Chanel Abney, Math Bass, Craig Calderwood, Jeffrey Cheung, and Chelsea Wong the SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Atrium Project as recommended by the artist review panel.
Moved: Beltran/Ferras

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Shiota, Walker

14. Judah Streetscape
Marcus Davies

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the revised design development documents for artwork by Jesse Schlesinger for the Judah Streetscape Public Art Project. The changes are based on a utility and street fixture survey. The three final locations selected for the artworks include the sidewalk in front of the Bath house at La Playa and Judah Street, the South West corner of Judah and 45th Avenue, and the North West corner of Judah and 43rd Avenue.

Motion: Motion to approve revised design development documents for Jesse Schlesinger’s sculptures for the Judah Streetscape Public Art Project. 
Moved: Shiota/Beltran

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Shiota, Walker

15. New Business and Announcements

Commisstion Keehn called for New Business, Old Business, and Announcements.

The commissioners thanked everyone for staying through the whole meeting.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

16. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:11pm

TP 8/31/2020 4:17PM

Revised 9/11/2020 2:06PM TP

Approved 9/14/2020

Notices          

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For assistance, please notify Tara Peterson, tara.peterson@sfgov.org, 415-252-2219.

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