SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION

COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTS COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

1:00 p.m.

401 Van Ness Ave, Suite 125

MINUTES

This meeting was called to order at 1:10 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:

Charles Collins

Sherene Melania, Chair

Marcus Shelby

Janine Shiota

Abby Sadin Schnair

Staff Present: Tom DeCaigny, Judy Nemzoff, Alexander Tan

2. General Public Comment

Staff and board members from Noe Valley Chamber Music ("NVCM") expressed their excitement for District 8 Supervisor Weiner and the San Francisco Arts Commission’s (“SFAC”) support of their Classical Kids program through the Neighborhood Arts request for proposals. They hoped that the Commission would grant the funds.

Speakers included: Tiffany Lowenberg of NVCM; Charles McCullough, chairperson of Classical Kids Program of NVCM; and Jessica Anderson, board member of NVCM. 

3. Community Investments Director Report

Community Investments Program Director Judy Nemzoff gave an update on SFAC’s panel process for fiscal year 2015-2016 and noted that this week was both Cultural Equity Initiatives Level 1 (“CEI L1”) and Level 2 (“CEI L2) panels and Creative Space (“CRSP”) panel. Last week was the Artists and Communities in Partnership (“ACIP”) panel. She noted that all of the panel results would go to the Community Arts, Education and Grants (“CAEG”) Committee as one cluster of recommendations in February and there would be a robust presentation. Staff has received a very positive response to clearer alignment of evaluation criteria and narrative questions in the guidelines and applications. She commented that this was one of the results of focus groups in the spring that allowed for input from stakeholders and community groups. Ms. Nemzoff also mentioned that the number of total applicants increased from previous years. Last fiscal year there were 245 applications, but this year 260 applicants moved forward into grant application review panels. She noted this was not the total applicant pool, as some applications were pulled due to ineligibility.

Commissioner Melania asked how many applicants the staff anticipated moving forward for funding recommendation. Ms. Nemzoff said that she could not anticipate at the time because the SFAC had funds from new sources that might allow more funding than expected. Final recommendations would not be available until February’s Committee meeting.

Commissioner Schnair asked if staff has been able to handle the influx in grants. Ms. Nemzoff said that staff hoped to have an online grant management system (“GMS”) in place before this year’s grant applications were released, but there were significant delays. She commented that there was a great staff in place to handle the influx, and that there was even more robust panelists training as well.

Commissioner Shelby asked whether panels would be comprised of new panelists or returning panelists. Ms. Judy Nemzoff said that staff tended to have at least one returning, seasoned panelist and then build panels based on necessary skills to review the applicant pool.

Ms. Nemzoff moved on to an update of Cultural Centers’ facilities improvements. There had been significant facilities investments including: an electrical upgrade to the African American Art and Culture Complex’s (“AAACC”) third floor, enhancing the theater capabilities; construction for a new roof at SOMArts Cultural Center (“SOMArts”); and ADA upgrades at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (“MCCLA”) including accessible bathrooms and a wheelchair lift to Mission Graphica. Bayview Opera House (“BVOH”) Ruth Williams Memorial Theater had an additional $200,000 investment from Mayor’s Office on Disability to help complete what was now a $5.5 million renovation, which included three ADA accessible bathrooms, stabilizing the historic interior balcony, completed framework for a new exterior stage, and ADA pathways throughout the plaza. The renovation would also include new fencing and landscaping. Ms. Nemzoff said the renovation had been slow due to the 130 year old age of the building and that challenges have included finding asbestos, dry rot, and mold. Ms. Nemzoff said that this renovation would be a wonderful addition to the community and that BVOH, Inc. Executive Director Barbara Ockel, her board, and the community have been very patient and supportive. She said there would be a soft opening in March or April 2016, but would hold off for a grand ribbon cutting until the building and grounds were completed.

Ms. Nemzoff also commented that Commissioners may have seen AAACC in the news due to internal issues. She said that she and Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny were in touch with the board and Executive Director Mohammed Soriano-Bilal. SFAC staff was staying apprised of the situation and would keep the committee informed, but the issue was for AAACC’s Board of Directors to address.

Mr. DeCaigny mentioned that there was an emphasis by SFAC staff to provide oversight in coordination with contract compliance monitoring of the City. He mentioned that if there were any issues with the SFAC’s grantees, staff relied and adhered to those contract compliance monitoring reviews. There was an emphasis to provide technical assistance to meet City standards and best practice for nonprofit organization functions. Mr. DeCaigny said that SFAC has requested a cash flow analysis to ensure that AAACC was able to meet their financial obligations. He added that the Capital Planning Committee’s investments in our Cultural Centers combined with the  Mayor’s Office on Disability, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and other City departments was historic.

Commissioner Melania called for public comment. There was none.

4. 2015-2016 Request for Proposals: Neighborhood Arts

Ms. Nemzoff said that this set of recommendations was reviewed by an inter-City staff panel comprised of Senior Program Officer Barbara Mumby, Lex Leifheit and Diana Ponce De Leon from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Khan Wong from San Francisco Grants for the Arts. This funding came from the Board of Supervisors’ (“BoS”) annual Participatory Budget Process in which the supervisors set aside funding for projects in their district per recommendations by their constituents. These funds were separate from the Cultural Equity Endowment Fund and Cultural Center funds; as such, she was thrilled to see the BoS valued arts and culture on a neighborhood level. This year’s allocation provided a significant increase in funding to support neighborhood based arts access.

Commissioner Melania noted  a typo in the project summary portion of the explanatory document (16RFPNA Recommendation Packet PDF) for Noe Valley Chamber Music. Ms. Nemzoff read the correct project summary and ensured that a revised document was attached to the meetings minutes.

Commissioner Melania presented the following motions:

1. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Richmond District Neighborhood Center for an amount not to exceed $18,000 to produce a Balboa Street music festival.
2. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Bindlestiff Studio for an amount not to exceed $70,000 for facility improvements that will improve the audience and performer experience.
3. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with The Marsh for an amount not to exceed $10,000 to support free tickets to performances that address depression and mental health issues. 
4. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Noe Valley Chamber Music for an amount not to exceed $15,000 to support free in-school workshops and performances for elementary and middle school youth located within District 8.
5. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Bayview Opera House, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $150,000 to support and increase their organizational capacity.
6. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Bayview Opera House, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $150,000 to support ongoing arts and economic vitality activation along the Third Street corridor.
7. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Precita Eyes Muralists Association, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $20,000 for a community mural located in the Outer Mission/Ingleside neighborhood.
8. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture for an amount not to exceed $40,000 to support an international arts festival.
9. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with the Korean War Memorial Foundation for an amount not to exceed $110,000 to support the installation of a Korean War Memorial at the Presidio of San Francisco.
10. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with the Arts Providers Alliance of San Francisco for an amount not to exceed $25,000 to support professional development and networking for the arts provider and teaching artists community.
11. Motion  to authorizethe Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with Queer Cultural Center for an amount not to exceed $40,000 to support capacity building and technical assistance services to emerging artists from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
12. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a 2015-2016 grant agreement with ArtSpan for an amount not to exceed $50,000 to support planning and implementation of services to increase access to affordable short and long term space for sole proprietor artists.

Moved: Shelby/ Shiota

Public Comment: None.

The motions were passed unanimously.

Explanatory Document: 16RFPNA Recommendation Packet revised PDF

5. New Business and Announcements

Commissioner Shelby discussed his recent trip to Baltimore and work with Anna Deavere Smith. Mr. DeCaigny announced the opening of the SFAC Galleries would be on Friday, January 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. The opening show would feature a number of SFAC grantees. Commissioner Melania reported back that she had her performance of Beyond the Land of Sweets in the newly renovated Herbst Theater.

6. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.

Posted on 12/21/2015 CF

Revised on 12/28/2015 CF

Minutes adopted on 1/4/2016 CF

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@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，Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218,cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@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 Program Associate Cristal Fiel, 415-252-2218, cristal.fiel@sfgov.org.