MEETING OF THE ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, February 1, 2021
2:00 p.m.
Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing
 

Minutes 

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

1. Roll Call
   
   Commissioners Present
   Janine Shiota, Vice President
   Yakuh Askew
   JD Beltran
   Charles Collins
   Suzanne Ferras
   Mary Jung
   Dorka Keehn
   Nabiel Musleh
   Linda Parker Pennington
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Marcus Shelby
   Kimberlee Stryker
   Debra Walker
   Paul Woolford
   
   Commissioners Absent
   Roberto Ordeñana, President
   Joel Koppel, ex officio
   
   Commissioner Shelby joined the meeting at 2:04 p.m.
   
   Vice President Shiota announced the virtual meeting instructions.
   
   Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre announced public comment instructions.
   
    
2. Approval of Minutes
   Commissioner Beltran, seconded by Commissioner Woolford moved to approve the January 4, 2021 minutes.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   Ayes: Shiota, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Stryker, Woolford
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-018: Motion to approve the January 4, 2021 minutes.
    
3. General Public Comment 
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Musleh joined the meeting at 2:14 p.m.
    
4. Director’s Report
   Vice President Shiota introduced Director of Cultural Affairs Ralph Remington.
   
   Director Remington thanked Vice President Shiota for the warm welcome. He reported that he has been on a listening tour during his first few weeks on the job. He said he’s been meeting with members of the community, the Mayor’s Office, other Department Heads, staff and the majority of the commissioners. He provided an update on the Monuments and Memorials Advisory Committee which included a description of a timeline for the application process, the outreach strategy and the committee’s future process. He also announced that the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. He said that we are honored to be included in the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation and provided a timeline with next steps in the process. He also shared that Mrs. Denise Bradley-Tyson will be leaving the Arts Commission on February 16. He thanked Mrs. Bradley-Tyson for her expertise and helping with the onboarding process. He continued his report with highlighting some Black History month events from the San Francisco Public Library and the cultural centers. He also shared an upcoming KTVU broadcast highlighting Lunar New Year celebrating the Central Subway station artists. 
   
   Commissioner Collins shared that he will be a keynote speaker at City Hall’s upcoming Black History Month Kick-Off Ceremony.
   
   Commissioners welcomed Director Remington to the Arts Commission.
   
   Commissioner Walker asked for an update on regranting programs and arts hub initiative.
   
   There was no public comment.
    
5. Arts Commission FY 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Draft Budget
   
   Finance and Accounting Manager Kevin Quan gave a budget presentation. Mr. Quan reviewed the narrative budget memo and provided a budget timeline. He noted the impacts that the City is facing given the public health crisis and the severe revenue loss. He added that the City’s goals are to achieve equitable outcomes for all residents. He explained that the SFAC budget was created in tandem with the Mayor’s priorities and SFAC’s Racial Equity Action Plan.
   
   Mr. Quan presented the proposed program budget and capital budget for the coming two fiscal years.
   
   Commissioners discussed the proposed budgets, including the impact of the severe revenue loss across the City, the potential decrease in hotel tax funds, details regarding the Symphony’s contract, the process for future addback projects, the capital requests and staff well-being relating to technological needs while working from home.
   
   Commissioner Walker asked about an audit of Prop E. Deputy Director Lee responded that they had previously requested an audit in conjunction with Grants for the Arts but they were told that it was not possible due to understaffing in the Controller’s Office. She noted that the recent annual report includes information about spending relating to Prop E.
   
   Commissioner Shelby, seconded by Commissioner Keehn moved to approve proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Arts Commission budget.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   Ayes: Shiota, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Stryker, Woolford
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-019: Motion approve proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Arts Commission budget.
    
6. Committee Reports and Committee Matters
   1. Executive Committee – Roberto Ordeñana, Chair
      
      Vice President Shiota shared that the Executive Committee previewed the budget with a presentation from SFAC staff Kevin Quan and heard a racial equity update from SFAC staff Sandra Panopio. She also noted that there was public concern regarding the recent grants application process and proof of residency requirements.
      
      Deputy Director Lee provided an update on the artists grant application. She noted that 26% of the applicants submitted insufficient residency documentation and they were given 5 business days to provide sufficient information. She announced an extension of the deadline through February 5. She thanked Anne Trickey and Jaren Bonillo for their work in his category.
      
      Commissioner Beltran thanked staff for their work in making the grant accessible and removing barriers.
      
      Commissioner Shelby asked about the possibility of adopting this new grant model moving forward.
      
      There was no public comment.
       
   2. Community Investments Committee—Charles Collins, Chair
      
      Commissioner Collins acknowledged Jennie Rodriguez for her accomplishment with MCCLA’s recent landmark status.
      
      Commissioner Collins provided an update from the January 13 special meeting. He noted that the committee and staff were tasked to ensure the grants were moving forward quickly but transparently and in an accountable manner. He added the committee looked at how the grants related to the principles of the Cultural Services Allocation Plan, our racial equity framework, the efforts of the Economic Recovery Task Force and how the work supported COVID recovery. He provided more information relating to the recent grants: UBI, Reopening Safely, and Arts Hub. He asked Program Officer Tina Wiley to give a brief update on the Sankofa Initiative.
      
      Commissioner Walker asked for continued updates from the grantees.
      
      Commissioner Collins thanked members of the public for keeping the Arts Commission accountable during the grant process. He said that upcoming Community Investments meetings will include updates on the recent regranting programs.
      
      Commissioner Ferras said there is a need to get monies out quickly and transparently. She agreed that they would like to see reports at future meetings. She said she was looking forward to hearing stories on how the funds are being regranted.
      
      Deputy Director Lee gave an update on the status of the regranting plans and their grant programs. She explained that the grantees are thinking more deeply about equity when designing their programs in response to the comments at the special Community Investments meeting. She explained that SFAC staff are working with these grantees to revise their grant plans as needed and to execute grant agreements. She said staff are working closely with grantees to ensure they are upholding principles of Prop E, the Cultural Services Allocation Plan and the City’s racial equity framework. She added that she will provide the Commission with periodic updates.
      
      There was no public comment.
      
      Commissioner Shelby asked about the concerns raised by community partners and organizations at the last Community Investments meeting. He wanted to ensure their concerns were adequately addressed and that there was appropriate follow up.  
      
      Commissioner Collins responded that staff are very aware of the concerns and that staff are working collaboratively to ensure the work is moving forward.
       
   3. Visual Arts Committee—Dorka Keehn, Chair
      
      Commissioner Keehn shared an update on an upcoming project celebrating Lunar New Year sponsored by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber and funded by various corporate entities. She shared photos of three ox sculptures that will be found around the City.
      
      Commissioner Keehn provided information regarding the selection of artists by location in 2019 and 2020 per Commission Walker’s inquiry at a previous meeting. She also provided context on the inner workings of the public art program.
      
      Commissioner Walker thanked Commissioner Keehn for the presentation and commended the public art program for supporting local artists. She also noted that it’s important to see how the Commission supports local artists’ success outside of the bay area.
      
      Commissioner Shelby echoed Commissioner Walker’s sentiments. He also commented that the ox sculptures were beautiful and looked forward to seeing them in the community.
      
      Commissioner Keehn congratulated the public art staff for their outreach efforts both locally and nationally.
      
      There was no public comment.
       
7. Consent Calendar
   
   Vice President Shiota introduced the consent calendar items.
   
   Commissioner Beltran, seconded by Commissioner Stryker moved to approve the consent calendar items, as presented.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:
   Ayes: Shiota, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shelby, Styrker, Walker, Woolford.
   
   Commissioner Keehn left the meeting at 3:49 p.m.
   
   Commissioner Jung did not vote and was moved to the attendee list at 3:50 p.m. since she did not respond to the roll call vote.
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-020: 
   Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:
   1. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-021: Motion to approve the Community Investments Committee Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2021.
   2. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-022: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2020.
   3. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-023: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2021.
      
      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (January 20, 2021)
   4. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-024: Motion to approve Las miradas, a mural design by artist Simon Malvaez. The mural will be installed on the Temporary Muni Metro accessible boarding on Church St. station area between Market St. and 15th St. The painted mural will measure approximately 5.5 ft. by 40 ft. The project is funded by the Local SFMTA transportation funding. The painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.
       
   5. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-025: Motion to revise the Southeast Health Center Expansion Community History Wall Artist Review Panel composition, as described in the project outline approved on June 17, 2020, to include the following members: one representative of the client agency (Department of Public Health), one Arts Commissioner, and one community member.
       
   6. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-026: Motion to approve Construction Document Phase deliverables (engineering drawings) by Mildred Howard for the Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans—Plaza Sculpture.
       
   7. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-027: Motion to approve Construction Document Phase deliverables (engineering drawings) by Walter Kitundu (Kitundu Studio, LLC) for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center.
       
   8. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-028: Motion to approve West Portal Winter Mural, a mural design by artist Emily Fromm, DBA Rancho Art Productions. The murals will be installed on two Muni Metro accessible boarding ramps near West Portal Station; one on the north side and one on the south side of Ulloa St. between West Portal Ave. and Wawona St. Each mural will have two sections that will approximately measure 2 ft. 10 in. by 21 ft. by 5 ft. 5 in. and 4 ft. 5 in. by 21 ft. by 3 ft. 2 in.  The project is funded by the SFMTA, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and Paint the Void. The painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.
       
   9. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-029: Motion to approve Farallon Islands, a mural design by artist Mike Ritch. The mural will be installed on a bus shelter at Ocean Ave. and Junipero Serra owned by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The painted mural will measure approximately 600 sq. ft. The project is funded by Participatory Budget funding which is held as a grant with the San Francisco Arts Commission. The painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.
       
   10. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-030: Motion to approve the temporary installation from February 1, 2021 to March 15, 2021 of three ox sculptures sponsored by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber in honor of the Year of the Ox at Portsmouth Square, Union Square and Civic Center Plaza, the forms of which were designed by Lacey Bryant and the surfaces designed and painted by Brian Travis, Deyi Zhao, Monique Zhang all of whom are artists working with Parade Guys.
        
   11. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-031: Motion to approve as installed a tile artwork titled Spin, 2020 by Sanaz Mazinani, at Golden Gate Park Tennis Center. The artwork is installed on the exterior south facade of the community building and consists of 12" x 12" ceramic tiles.
        
   12. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-032: to approve artist Antonio Mendez's Construction Document phase deliverables, including final imagery, material and fabrication mockup for the plaque at SFO International Airport.
        
   13. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-033: Motion to approve Craig Calderwood’s conceptual design for the San Francisco International Airport Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Atrium Project.
        
   14. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-034: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Craig Calderwood for an amount not to exceed $200,000 for the design, fabrication, transportation and installation of an artwork at the San Francisco International Airport Harvey Milk Terminal 1Atrium. 
        
   15. RESOLUTION NO. 0201-21-035: Motion to approve the purchase of Mike Henderson’s, Parallel Portions, 72" x 87", oil on canvas, 2017, $50,000 for installation at the San Francisco International Airport: Harvey Milk Terminal 1: Boarding Area B
        
10. New Business and Announcements
    Commissioner Collins congratulated Commissioner Shelby for his recognition at the upcoming Community Music Center’s Spring Gala.
    
    Commissioner Schnair congratulated Vice President Shiota for running her first full Commission meeting. She also announced that it would be her last full Commission meeting and thanked staff and commissioners for their work.
    
    Commissioners expressed gratitude and thanks to Commissioner Schnair for her work on the Commission.
    
    Commissioner Beltran shared her experience at the Sundance drive-in at Fort Mason.
    
    There was no public comment.
     
11. Adjournment
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
     

Posted 2/16/2021, 10:25 a.m., adv
Approved 3/1/2021

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