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

Minutes 

President Ordeñana called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   
   Commissioners Present
   Roberto Ordeñana, President
   Kimberlee Stryker, Vice President
   Yakuh Askew
   JD Beltran
   Charles Collins
   Suzanne Ferras
   Dorka Keehn
   Nabiel Musleh
   Linda Parker Pennington
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Marcus Shelby
   Janine Shiota
   Debra Walker
   Paul Woolford
   Joel Koppel, ex officio
   
   Commissioners Absent:
   Mary Jung
   
   Commissioner Beltran and Commissioner Shelby joined the meeting at 2:05 p.m.
   
   President Ordeñana announced virtual meeting instructions.
   
   Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre announced public comment instructions.
    
2. Approval of Minutes
   Commissioner Stryker, seconded by Commissioner Beltran moved to approve the October 5, 2020 Minutes.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   
   Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Shiota, Walker, Woolford
    
   RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-166: Motion to approve October 5, 2020 Minutes.
    
3. General Public Comment 
   
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Director’s Report
   Acting Director Bradley-Tyson provided an update on the Maya Angelou Sculpture Project. She provided background information on the recent events recurring around this project. She also noted that the Arts Commission had two motion on their agenda. She also noted that Ms. Lava Thomas had submitted a list of nine requirements for restorative justices to be achieved. She confirmed that the Arts Commission fulfilled each of those requests and a letter will be sent to Ms. Thomas. She thanked the city partners for their work towards positive progress regarding the 2018 legislation.
   
   President Ordenana thanked Acting Director for her work the last several weeks and appreciated her leadership.
   
   There was no public comment.
5. Maya Angelou Project Status Update
   
   Commissioner Keehn recused herself and left the meeting at 2:21 p.m.
   1. President Ordeñana introduced the first item.
      
      Commissioner Shiota thanked Lava Thomas and the See Black Womxn Collective.
      
      Commissioner Walker agreed with Commissioner Shiota’s comments. She thanked Lava Thomas, the community, and Arts Commission staff. She also thanked Acting Directory Bradley-Tyson, Supervisor Stefani and Mayor London Breed. 
      
      Commissioner Schnair agreed with previous commissioner comments. She said she was pleased to be given opportunity to learn and grow through this process. She said that hopefully we can move forward using this project as an example for us, the city and the world.
      
      Commissioner Ferras joined the meeting at 2:26 p.m.
      
      Commissioner Woolford left the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
      
      President Ordeñana invited artist Lava Thomas to speak.
      
      Ms. Thomas thanked Acting Director Bradley-Tyson and the commissioners for their efforts to bring justice forward. She quoted Guy Johnson’s words about his mother. She said that she’s certain Dr. Angelou’s spirit can rest. She thanked all that stood in solidary with her during this process. She thanked the Arts Commission staff, the 2019 selection panelists, Mildred Howard, the founders of the See Black Womxn Collective. She also thanked those who spoke under public comment at the August 3 full Commission meeting as well as galleries and organizations that hosted community gatherings and offered platforms for her to speak. She thanked black women artists and arts professionals and allies in the bay area and across the country. She also thanked those that boycotted the 2020 RFQ, all artists who withdrew their submissions, and all others who spoke out and stood in solidarity. She thanked Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Stefani for reversing themselves. She said the justice served today is a testament to power of Dr. Angelou’s legacy. She said that during these times, we need Dr. Angelou’s unifying voice now more than ever. She said she is looking forward in a spirit of unity and reconciliation.
      
      President Ordenana thanked Lava Thomas for her statement. He reiterated the apology which was issued in august. He said he’s excited about moving forward and the opportunity to move forward with this path.
      
      Public Comment:
      Dana King asked if there would be discussion and opportunities for public comment for item 1 and 2.
      
      Commission Secretary Ventre confirmed that each motion would have a public comment opportunity.
      
      President Ordenana asked Commissioner Ferras to preside over these items.
      
      Commissioner Ferras introduced the motion as follows: Motion to terminate the Request for Qualifications for an artist to design and fabricate a sculpture to honor Dr. Maya Angelou issued Jan. 24, 2020.
      
      Program Director Susan Pontious clarified about the termination process per Commissioner Shiota’s question.
      
      The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:
      Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Shiota, Walker
      
      RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-167: Motion to terminate the Request for Qualifications for an artist to design and fabricate a sculpture to honor Dr. Maya Angelou issued Jan. 24, 2020.
       
   2. Commissioner Ferras presented the second motion: Motion to approve the August 9, 2019 Review Panel’s recommendation for the proposal by Lava Thomas for the sculpture to honor Maya Angelou, which will be sited at the Main Library, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Lava Thomas for an amount not to exceed $250,000 to design, fabricate and deliver the sculpture to the City.
      
      Public Comment:
      Dana King said she appreciated the commissioner comments. She thanked them for hearing the community and applauded Lava Thomas for fighting for her rights and for all artists. She commented that sculpture will be tainted by the SFAC’s inability to be honest, transparent and anti-racist. She said two years were wasted to get to the same result. She said the difference now is money available has increased. She commented that for some artists, there would be no amount of money to accept this commission. She noted that the extra $70,000 does not make up for the shame for dragging Dr. Angelou’s name through a toxic process as well as participants involved in the process and all artists. She quoted Dr. Angelou.
      
      Commissioner Parker Pennington thanked Dana King for her comments. She said she wants to underscore the learning process and uncomfortableness of having gone through the process and realizing that the commission put Ms. Thomas and all involved through an arduous and painful process. She said that the reality is that the commission will face more uncomfortable conversations but she said she feels stronger for having gone through the process and hope that the commission will continue to show that they are honest, transparent and anti-racist.
      
      Per commissioner questions, Program Director Susan Pontious clarified that Lava Thomas will be moving forward with the original proposed artwork. She mentioned that it is a basic concept and it is expected to evolve as they go through the design development process. She added that the timeline will be dependent on a number of items and the next scope of work is to finalize the schedule with the artist and her fabricators. Ms. Pontious spoke to the question about how the legislation timeline is affected.
      
      The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:
      
      Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Shiota, Walker
      
      RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-168: Motion to approve the August 9, 2019 Review Panel’s recommendation for the proposal by Lava Thomas for the sculpture to honor Maya Angelou, which will be sited at the Main Library, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Lava Thomas for an amount not to exceed $250,000 to design, fabricate and deliver the sculpture to the City.
       
6. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
   
   ​Commissioner Keehn joined the meeting at 2:55 p.m.
    
   1. Executive Committee – Roberto Ordeñana, Chair
      1. President Ordeñana shared that at the special October 23 meeting the Commission voted unanimously to appoint a permanent Director of Cultural Affairs pending HR negotiations. He added that the commission also authorized the President to make the final announcement. President Ordenana noted that they were not yet ready to make an announcement but reported that negotiations were going well. He said he anticipated an announcement coming soon.
         
         President Ordeñana also noted that the Executive Committee reviewed the 2021 draft calendar of commission meetings which was distributed to the full commission.
         
         Commissioner Askew left the meeting at 2:56 p.m.
         
         Commissioner Schnair expressed her excitement with the candidate.
         
         Public Comment:
         A caller that the president had used the candidate’s gender in his reported and they wanted him to understand the impact of the use of a pronoun in the report.
          
      2. Civic Design Review Committee—Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
         1. Commissioner Stryker highlighted the Otis Street Plaza project that was reviewed at the Civic Design Review Committee.  
            
            She also thanked Deputy Director Joanne Lee for setting up new guidelines to streamline the review process for small projects.
            
            There was no public comment.
             
      3. Community Investments Committee – Charles Collins, Chair
         1. Commissioner Collins described the three Community Investments items that were reviewed at the committee level and are part of the consent calendar.
            
            Commissioner Parker Pennington discussed the upcoming grant cycle outreach including the newsletter, more accessible workshops with recordings. Hoping grant applications are from a wide and diverse group of artists. Commissioner Parker Pennington thanked staff for getting the word out and facilitating the workshops.
            
            Commissioner Collins also thanked staff for their efforts to move the grant cycle forward quickly.
            
            Deputy Director Lee provided clarification regarding grant details from Commissioner Beltran’s question.
            
            There was no public comment.
             
      4. Nominating Committee – Charles Collins, Chair
         1. Commissioner Collins reported that the President appoints the Nominating Committee annually. He described the responsibility of the committee and noted that he had been appointed to the committee along with Commissioner Ferras and Commissioner Jung. He reminded commissioners to expect a call from the nominating committee to discuss the president and vice president appointments. He noted that staff and the Mayor’s office would also be called. He said that the next Nominating Committee will be on November 20. He explained that they will bring their recommendation to the December full Commission meeting for a formal motion.
            
            There was no public comment.
             
      5. Visual Arts Committee—Dorka Keehn, Chair
         1. Commissioner Keehn reported on the Portsmouth Square project and gave background information on the decision to maintain the older artworks.
            
            Commissioner Keehn also reported on the DataSF project. She encouraged all to visit the website and view the Civic Art Collection and StreetSmarts mural project data.
            
            Commissioner Shiota added clarification about the Portsmouth Square project. She said there was a lot of community conversation as well as discussion at the VAC Committee.
            
            There was no public comment.

7. Consent Calendar
   
   President Ordeñana introduced the consent calendar items.
   
   Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Schnair 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, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Shiota, Walker

RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-169:
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-170: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2020.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-171: Motion to approve the Community Investments Committee Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2020.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-172: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2020.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-173: Motion to approve the Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2020.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-174: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2020.
   
   Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (October 19, 2020)
6. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-175: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the 30 Otis Street Public Plaza Project, as presented.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-176: Motion to approve to approve Phase 1, 2, and 3 of the Herz Playground Play Area Renovation Project with the comment that stresses the high desire of the Civic Design Review Committee that the existing fence be replaced with a less industrial and more welcoming fence.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-177: Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island Utility Enclosures Project, as presented.
   
   Community Investments Committee Recommendations (October 13, 2020)
9. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-178: Motion to approve the SOMA Nonprofit Facilities Fund grant to Community Vision Capital and Consulting and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement not to exceed $600,000 at this time.
10. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-179: Motion to approve the Sankofa Initiative Cultural Preservation grant to The Alliance for California Traditional Arts and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement not to exceed $225,000 at this time.
11. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-180: Motion to approve the Sankofa Initiative Technology and Supplies access grant to Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts & Technology and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement not to exceed $250,000 at this time.  
    
    Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (October 21, 2020)
12. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-181: Motion to to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0914-20-136 which approves the temporary installation of an illuminated temple-like sculpture titled, 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.
13. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-182: Motion to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0912-16-261: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Suzanne Husky for an amount not to exceed $135,000 for an artwork at the International Terminal, Gate Rooms, San Francisco International Airport.
14. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-183: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Suzanne Husky for an amount not to exceed $135,000 for an artwork at San Francisco International Airport: Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Meet and Greet Area. 
15. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-184: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork titled Green Map, 2019, by Ellen Harvey. The hand-cut glass, stone mosaic celebrates the beautiful parks and open space that characterize the Bay Area by inverting the traditional idea of a map to highlight the region’s green space. The artwork was commissioned for the San Francisco International Airport: Grand Hyatt Hotel. The 28 ft. x 28 ft. mosaic spans the first and second floors of the hotel lobby main staircase.
16. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-185: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork titled Ether, 2019 by Kohei Nawa. The painted aluminum sculpture stands 35 feet tall outside the main entrance to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the form of a droplet of liquid falling from sky to earth creating a symmetrical and potentially infinite column created within a space of zero gravity. The artwork was commissioned for the San Francisco International Airport: Grand Hyatt Hotel.
17. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-186: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork titled This Infinite Gateway of Time and Circumstance, 2019, by Jacob Hashimoto. The immersive sculpture floats between two floors of the building in an undulating, interwoven canopy composed of over 3,500 individual kite-like ellipses comprised of Paper, UV ink, resin, bamboo, Spectra, acrylic, stainless steel and is 9 ft. x 39 ft. x 9 ft. The artwork was commissioned for the San Francisco International Airport: Grand Hyatt Hotel and is installed on the fourth floor of the hotel.
18. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-187: Motion to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0803-20-114: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Carter-Lynch (Stacey Carter) for an amount not to exceed $133,333 for the design, engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project.
19. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-188: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Carter-Lynch LLC (aka Carter-Lynch/Stacey Carter) for an amount not to exceed $133,333 for the design, engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project.
20. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-189: Motion to approve use of Art Enrichment funds generated by the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project for use on the conservation of the existing artworks on the site; 
    1897.2 Robert Louis Stevenson monument by Bruce Porter,
    1990.9 Goddess of Democracy statue by Thomas Marsh,
    1985.14.1-6 Tiger, Ram, Serpent, Monkey, Rabbit, Dragon by Mary Fuller McChesney, and
    1999.19.1-15 Bench supports/Serpent Wall/Lion statues by Mary Fuller McChesney.
21. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-190: Motion to approve as installed Microcosmic, 2020 by Moto Ohtake at the Fourth and Brannan Platform for the new Central Subway.
22. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-191: Motion to approve artists ABD/Skywatchers (Anne Bluethenthal & Dancers), Kimberley Arteche, and Katherine Dorame and their conceptual proposals for the 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, as recommended by the artist review panel.
23. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-192: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contracts with ABD/Skywatchers (Anne Bluethenthal & Dancers), Kimberley Arteche, and Katherine Dorame for an amount not exceed $12,000 each for the 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.
24. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-193: Motion to approve as installed the tile mosaic artwork Four Corners by Emily Fromm at San Francisco International Airport: Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
25. RESOLUTION NO. 1102-20-194: Motion to approve Design Phase and Construction Document Phase deliverables (final design, structural engineering drawings) for an additional, exterior artwork by Favianna Rodriguez for the Animal Care Facility.

 

8. New Business and Announcements
   President Ordeñana noted the reopening of the Margaret S. Hayward playground. He congratulated the design team from Rec and Park and the CDR Committee and thanked staff for their hard work. He also commented on the artwork in the clubhouse and encouraged all to visit the newly renovated park.
   
   Commissioner Beltran noted that the Fort Mason Center driveway screen has been enormously successful. She said that many collaborations have been established with other arts organizations to broadcast their performances at this space. She said that it is an exciting development that arts organizations are using alternate platforms and that Fort Mason has been getting great press coverage.
   
   Commissioner Ferras shared that an artist helped her recreate a user friendly version of the COVID-19 health screening form. She said she would share with the commissioners and asked that they share it widely.
   
   Commissioner Schnair added that she was thrilled with the Margaret Hayward playground. She acknowledged Commissioner Stryker’s hard work with this project.
   
   Commissioner Collins added that the playground holds an important place in the history of San Francisco as it was Mayor London Breed’s childhood playground.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
9. Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:34 p.m.
    

Posted 11/16/2020 5 p.m. adv
approved 12/7/2020

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