MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE ARTS COMMISSION

Monday, April 25, 2016
12:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

President Beltran called the meeting to order at 12:33 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present 
   JD Beltran, President
   Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President
   Charles Collins
   Abby Sadin Schnair
    
   Commissioners Absent 
   Simon Frankel
    
   President Beltran announced that the agenda item regarding the Public Art Trust Guidelines would be taken immediately after general Public Comment, to allow Director of Special Projects and the Public Art Trust Jill Manton to supervise the deinstallation of Intrude from the Civic Center.
    
2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Public Art Trust Guidelines
   Mr. DeCaigny invited Director of Special Projects and the Public Art Trust Jill Manton to discuss the guidelines. She reviewed the changes in the document, including clarifying the process for developer contributions to the trust, the issuance of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) for each project and the Arts Commission’s process for review of proposals in response to the MOU. Ms. Manton and Mr. DeCaigny explained that MOUs will be submitted to this Committee and to the full Arts Commission for discussion, public comment and approval, that the developer will have the option to participate in the competitive public selection process, and the selected proposals will be submitted to the appropriate Committee and to the full Arts Commission for discussion, public comment and approval.
    
   The Committee discussed the revised guidelines and suggested further clarifications, as well as an “executive summary” of the changes made.
    
   There was no public comment, and the Committee tabled the motion for reconsideration at the May 2 meeting of the full Arts Commission.
    
   Finally, the Committee congratulated Ms. Manton on the success of the Intrude exhibition, noting the serendipity that the illuminated rabbits against the background of purple lights on City Hall created a destination for the public to gather and mourn the unexpected death of Prince with an impromptu dance party.
    
4. Director’s Report
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that Intrude was coming down as he spoke, and that it had been very well received, with a message appropriate for Earth Day.
    
   He announced that Steve Wertheim of the Planning Department would present an overview of the Central SoMa Plan to the full Arts Commission on May 2, including some discussion of Production, Distribution and Repair zoning (“PDR”) in relation to the affordability of commercial real estate and workspace.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that President Beltran had begun work on organizing a small working group to address affordable artist housing, working with City partners, nonprofit organizations, public and private resources.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that carryforward budget funds have been identified to match a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, for a total of $135,000 for a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to find an organization to counsel individual artists in seeking affordable housing funds. This will be modeled on a program with the Mayor’s Office of Housing which Vice President Ordeñana has previously described.
    
   The Committee discussed this, and discussed addressing affordable workspace as well. They discussed both prior and current efforts and projects, as well as potential partners.
    
   Mr. DeCaigny reported that San Francisco Travel had been a partner with the Arts Commission in participating in the World Cities Culture Forum in London in 2015, and there was some interest in hosting the Forum in San Francisco in 2017 or 2018. He explained that there were approximately 80 participants involved, so a large venue like the Moscone Center (which will be under construction) would not be needed.
    
   The Committee discussed the idea enthusiastically, noting that the arts and culture are not just about gentrification, but can play a crucial role in restoring troubled places, in building social justice and equity. The Committee also noted that the United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco. Finally, Mr. DeCaigny explained that this idea was still in the early stages, and that any formal proposal would come to this Committee for approval as the date grew nearer.
    
   There was no public comment.
    
5. Review Panelists Pool
   Mr. DeCaigny explained that while the majority of panelists for the year had already been selected and approved by the Commission, staff had to continue to look for panelists to fill gaps in discipline, community or availability; that was the reason for adding these panelists.
    
   Commissioner Schnair reported that she was a trustee for the American Conservatory Theater, where one of the proposed panelists, Elizabeth Brodersen, is employed. Commissioner Schnair explained that she has no financial relationship with Ms. Brodersen, but wished to disclose this fact for the record.
    
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
    
   Motion to approve the following panelists to serve, as selected by staff, on SFAC review panels for the 2015-2018 Fiscal Years:
   Kyle Beckham, educator, filmmaker
   Elizabeth Brodersen, Director of Education, American Conservatory Theater
   Michele Carlson, artist, writer, educator and curator
   Minna Dubin, writer, performer, teaching artist
   Todd Gilens, visual and interdisciplinary artist
   Jewelle Gomez, novelist and playwright
   Melorra Green, curator
   Chike C. Nwoffiah, actor, theater director, filmmaker and educator
   Maurice Seaty, educator, photographer
   Sherri Young, Executive Director, African American Shakespeare Company
    
6. New Business and Announcements
   Commissioner Collins reported that he had been on the board of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1993 when it was housed at 401 Van Ness, and when it moved in 1995. He said that to see it now in its new home is quite remarkable. He praised the new building, and the collection donated by the generosity of the Fishers. He was particularly pleased that young people under 18 are able to enter the museum free of charge, and noted that artist Kara Walker was inspired by coming to the museum as a child.
    
   President Beltran added that this is an exciting time of artistic renaissance, with the new Berkeley Art Museum and the Minnesota Street Project. She reminded everyone that with the end of the school year, there will be many shows featuring the work of graduating Master of Fine Arts students.
    
   There was no further new business or announcements, and no public comment.
    
7. Adjournment 
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
    

posted 5/9/16, 4:30 p.m. spr
approved 6/6/16

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256,sharon.page_ritchie@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 Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2256, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.