MEETING OF THE ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, October 5, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing
 

Minutes 

President Ordeñana called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   
   Commissioners Present
   Roberto Ordeñana, President
   Kimberlee Stryker, Vice President
   Yakuh Askew
   JD Beltran
   Charles Collins
   Suzanne Ferras
   Mary Jung
   Dorka Keehn
   Nabiel Musleh
   Linda Parker Pennington
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Marcus Shelby
   Janine Shiota
   Debra Walker
   Paul Woolford
   Joel Koppel, ex officio
   
   Commissioner Shelby joined the meeting at 2:03 p.m.
   
   President Ordeñana announced virtual meeting instructions.
   
   Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre announced public comment instructions.
    
2. Approval of Minutes
   Commissioner Shiota, seconded by Commissioner Stryker moved to approve the September 14, 2020 Minutes.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   
   Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shiota, Walker, Woolford
    
   RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-140: Motion to approve September 14, 2020 Minutes.
    
3. General Public Comment 
   
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Director’s Report
   President Ordeñana announced that Rebekah Krell had transitioned to the City’s COVID Command Center. He thanked Ms. Krell for filling the Acting Director role during an incredibly challenging time for San Francisco and around the world. He described her recent accomplishments as Acting Director in addition to serving as CFO and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration.
   
   Commissioners joined President Ordeñana in thanking Ms. Krell for her leadership and expressed their gratitude in working with her. They praised her commitment to civic responsibility, her grace, sense of humor and strong work ethic especially during these unprecedented times.
   
   Ms. Krell thanked the commissioners for their kind words and their support. She also thanked Acting Director Bradley-Tyson for stepping into the role. She added that she is happy to provide any support that is needed during this transition.
   
   President Ordeñana introduced the new Acting Director of Cultural Affairs Denise Bradley-Tyson. He thanked her for agreeing to step in during this time. President Ordeñana shared that Acting Director Bradley Tyson has been a long-standing member of the arts community in San Francisco and abroad and is a powerhouse administrator, supporter, fundraiser and champion of both community-based organizations and major institutions. President Ordeñana continued to describe Acting Director Bradley-Tyson’s background.
   
   Acting Director Bradley-Tyson thanked President Ordeñana for the introduction. She explained that culture has always been part of her life and she said she recognizes how critical culture plays in our community. She added that culture will be the driver to reinvigorate and reconnect all aspects of the community especially during these times. She thanked Ms. Krell for her leadership and assistance during this transition. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve as Acting Director. She also thanked the operations team for their help in her Director’s report.
   
   Acting Director Bradley-Tyson gave updates on the grant making cycle which included three requests for proposals funded by the Arts Impact Endowment in order to support the arts sector in recovery. She announced that the RFP categories included an Arts Hub, a Universal Basic Income program, and Re-opening Safely. She also noted the release of the CEG guidelines and an October 16 webinar. She described the revisions to the CEG guidelines which allows for funding to be more flexible and responsive given these uncertain times. She announced the Creative Community Response Grant for BIPOC organizations with budgets under $30,000 engaged in an arts-based response in communities most impacted by COVID. She reported on dates for upcoming webinars and reminded folks to check the SFAC website for more information. She thanked the Community Investments team for their hard work in launching this grant cycle.
   
   Acting Director Bradley-Tyson reported that the Arts Commission is in the process of responding to Lava Thomas’ requests and are working with all parties to reach a resolution regarding the issues she raised.
   
   She also shared that the Arts Commission has been working with their city partners, the Human Rights Commission and the Recreation and Parks Department, regarding the monuments project. She said the application for the Advisory Board should be opening this month and encouraged to check the SFAC website for updates.
   
   Commissioners requested RFP information so they can help spread the word to their networks. They added the need for strong outreach in order to obtain a broad and robust response to the RFP opportunities. Acting Director Bradley-Tyson agreed and suggested exploring nontraditional outreach modes.
   
   Commissioners welcomed Acting Director Bradley Tyson to the Arts Commission and said they looked forward to working with her. Acting Director Bradley-Tyson noted her personal goal was to help activate the community in order to support artists.
   
   Deputy Director Lee welcomed Bradley Tyson. She thanked the commissioners for their enthusiasm for the RFPs and added that the RFPs will be pivotal for the arts sector during their recovery. She noted that there was a social media campaign and the Arts Commission will announce the awards in their newsletter. She said she appreciated the commissioners’ help spreading the word. She clarified that the annual grants convening was postponed and will be transformed into a virtual state of the arts event to welcome the permanent Director of Cultural Affairs.
   
   Commissioners continued to discuss details of upcoming RFPs and strategy to disseminate the information.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
5. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
   1. Executive Committee – Roberto Ordeñana, Chair
      1. President Ordeñana reported that the Executive Committee held a number of meetings to review and interview candidates. He said they are in process of obtaining feedback from Mayor Breed. He said that he may request to convene a special Arts Commission meeting for final interview and potential appointment prior to the regular November meeting. He thanked the Executive Committee members for their time during this process. He thanked Valerie Gaeta-Phillips and Alyssa Ventre for their work in moving this search forward.
         
         He noted that 79 applications were received from a diverse pool of candidates locally and nationally. He reported voluntary demographic information of the applicants and the demographic information for the candidates interviewed.
         
         Commissioner Walker thanked President Ordeñana for his hard work leading the search and Commission Secretary Ventre for her efforts. She said she’s very excited for the potential candidate.
         
         Commissioner Beltran echoed Commissioner Walker’s comments. She said that the Executive Committee was very pleased with the quality of the candidates. She said she was proud of team for contributing great feedback and working collaboratively.
         
         Commissioner Collins added that this process revealed San Francisco’s importance as a cultural center. He noted that they understand that staff have been under pressures and he is hopeful this candidate will help to build a foundation inside the Arts Commission.
         
         There was no public comment
          
   2. Civic Design Review Committee—Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
      1. Commissioner Stryker reported on the following projects that were reviewed: Richmond Playground, Bayside Park at India Basin, Portsmouth Square, and updated trash can prototypes. She presented images of the utilitarian project, a Bus maintenance facility at SFO. She described details of the project which included a handsome building, courtyard and landscape planning.
         
         There was no public comment.
          
   3. Visual Arts Committee—Dorka Keehn, Chair
      1. Commissioner Keehn welcome Acting Director Bradley-Tyson. She presented three projects which were also reviewed by the Civic Design Review Committee: Favianna Rodriguez’s piece at Garfield Pool, Guy Place Mini Park, and Emory Douglas’s artwork at Margaret Hayward Playground.
         
         She also described VAC’s efforts relating to the city’s monuments. She noted that Monument Lab was hosting a workshop at municipalities and an event in October. She encouraged all to join.
         
         Commissioner Collins further described the work of the Mellon Foundation in relation to their diversity, inclusion, equity work. He suggested working with the Director at the Mellon Foundation in addition to David Adjaye which could help to foster our work and a larger conversation.
         
         Commissioner Shelby asked about the priorities of representing women and women of color and how they align with our goals.
         
         Commissioner Schnair thanked Commissioner Keehn for the Monuments Lab information. She said she is attending and would report back.
         
         There was no public comment.
          
6. Consent Calendar
   
   President Ordeñana introduced the consent calendar items.
   
   Commissioner Ferras, seconded by Commissioner Keehn moved to approve the consent calendar items, as presented.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:

Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Shiota, Walker, Woolford

RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-141:
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-142: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2020.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-143: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2020.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-144: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2020.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-145: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of September 18, 2020.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-146: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2020.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-147: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2020.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-148: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2020.
   
   Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (August 21, 2020)
8. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-149: Motion to approve Phase 2 of the 900 Innes Avenue Park and India Basin Shoreline Park Project with the strong recommendation from the Committee to integrate underground utility lines when it is financially feasible coupled with adjacent projects.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-150: Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 of the Richmond Playground Renovation Project.
10. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-151: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project with the following contingencies 1) that there be a careful review of the permanent relocation of the existing artwork and plaques on the site 2) that the project include traditional Chinese qualities that connect the past and the present with some feng shui sensibilities and 3) that more color and life be introduced to the elevator entry and 4) that there be discussion on ways to incorporate public art into the project given budget limitations. 
11. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-152: Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 of the San Francisco New Public Trash Receptacles Project.
12. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-153: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the SFO Bus Maintenance Facility Project.
13. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-154: Motion to approve Phase 1, 2, and 3 of the Sunnydale HOPE SF Infrastructure Project.
    
    Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (September 16, 2020)
14. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-155: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase Catherine Wagner LLC’s contract from $312,470 to an amount not to exceed $328,376 (an increase of $15,906) for the Central Subway Yerba Buena Moscone Station Public Art Project. The increase will cover re-fabrication of glass to accommodate changes in station architecture dimensions made after the initial fabrication.
15. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-156: Motion to approve the arts professional Astria Suparak as a panelist for public art review panels.
16. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-157: Motion to approve the temporary installation of a series illuminated sculptures to titled Entwined Meadow in Golden Gate Park’s Peacock Meadow for a period of approximately 2 1/2 months with a possible extension after review from early December to mid- February pending procurement of all necessary approvals and the funding required for the project, in addition to arrangements for security night and day. This project would mark the closing element of the Golden Gate Park 150th Anniversary celebration and is designed to create an artistic experience for park goers, particularly in the evenings when daylight hours are short.
17. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-158: Motion to approve as installed the glass artwork Santuario, 2020 by Favianna Rodriguez at Garfield Pool. 
18. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-159: Motion to approve artist Marcela Pardo Ariza’s seventeen final designs for the 2020 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. The artist will develop clearly visible and explanatory text for the 18th poster, addressing the Committee’s concerns, which is subject to the approval of one Commissioner of the Visual Arts Committee and SFAC staff.
19. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-160: Motion to approve The Illustrated History of Bayview-Hunters Point, 2020, a temporary artwork by Sirron Norris, as installed on the Southeast Treatment Plant Construction Fence along Evans Avenue between Rankin and Phelps Streets.
20. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-161: Motion to approve as installed a 2D artwork titled Respect Mother Earth!!!, 2020 by Emory Douglas, at Margaret Hayward Playground. The artwork is installed in the community building above the fireplace and consists of UV acrylic ink on wood with CNC routed components.
21. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-162: Motion to approve Miguel Arzabe, Rodney Ewing, Raylene Gorum, and Ron Saunders as finalists for the 900 Innes–India Basin Shoreline Park public art project, as recommended by the Artist Selection Panel.
22. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-163: Motion to approve as installed the completed artwork titled Geologic Ghost, 2020 by Adriane Colburn for Guy Place Mini Park.
23. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-164: Motion to approve as installed the completed artwork titled Sea+Sky, 2020 by Meghann Riepenhoff for 49 South Van Ness.
24. RESOLUTION NO. 1005-20-165: Motion to approve as installed the completed artwork The Moon’s Gravity Causes the Ocean’s Tides, 2020 by Sarah Sze for 49 South Van Ness.
     

7. New Business and Announcements
   President Ordeñana announced President Ordeñana announced that he appointed Commissioner Collins as Chair along with Commissioners Jung and Ferras to the Nominating Committee for the 2020 officers.
   
   Commissioner Ferras shared that she created a list of reopening resources businesses, organizations and individual artists and offered to make it available.
   
   Commissioner Walker thanked Commissioner Ferras for her work and Commissioner Beltran’s work on the ArtsHub. She suggested that a committee be created to help staff and she requested accelerating the distribution of the funding to help artists in the community as soon as possible. She also suggested looking for creative partnerships to get the money out now since it is very much needed. She explained the new Entertainment Commission permit.
   
   Commissioner Collins thanked President Ordeñana for entrusting him as the chair of the Nominating Committee. He explained the committee’s process and encouraged commissioners to speak candidly.
   
   Commissioner Beltran reminded all to vote. She announced that she’s been working with Commissioner Walker to create an information infrastructure for the arts. She also described her work creating cultureview.org. She explained that it’s a central hub where members of the public can find out if organizations are open and what they’re doing. She also noted that Litquake was all online this year and free. She asked commissioners to share any other events with her. She added that it’s important to disseminate this information widely.
   
   Commissioner Shelby shared that he was appointed the Artistic Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. He said he’s excited that monuments project will be a way to think about how the city can think about its monuments and increase representation of women including black women.
   
   Commissioner Woolford welcomed Acting Director Bradley Tyson to the Arts Commission.
   
   Commissioner Schnair congratulated Commissioner Shelby in his new role.
   
   Commissioner Walker encouraged all to participate in Sf (Open) Studios and noted the schedule was on Art Span’s website.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
8. Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
    

Posted 10/19/2020 5:26 p.m. adv
approved 11/2/2020

Archives Available
A recording of this meeting will be available online after the meeting at the following address: https://sfgov.org/arts/audio-archive-8.

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@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 Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@sfgov.org

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@sfgov.org

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