SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
COMMUNITY ARTS, EDUCATION, AND GRANTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
1:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Ave, Suite 125
 

Minutes

 

 

Roll Call_­­­­­
Chair, Charles Collins called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m.

 

Commissioners Present:

Charles Collins, Chair

Roberto Ordeñana, Vice President

Sherene Melania

Marcus Shelby

Janine Shiota

 

Staff Present:

Tom DeCaigny

Barbara Mumby

Jaren Bonillo

Molly Barrons

Claudia Leung

Anne Trickey

 

General Public Comment
Chair Charles Collins called for public comment.

There was no public comment.

Director of Cultural Affairs Report
The Director of Cultural Affairs, Tom DeCaigny invited the Director of Community Investments Barbara Mumby, to report on the activities of the San Francisco Arts Commission (“SFAC”) Community Investments Program (“CIP”). Ms. Mumby announced that the Annual Grants Convening would take place on September 20^th. This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the cultural equity endowment legislation. The event will consist of a panel of artists who will speak about the impact that SFAC funding had on their career. SFAC will also present the inaugural Ebony McKinney Arts Leadership Award and will feature a performance from Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, in honor of this year’s Artistic Legacy Grant recipient, Patrick Makuakāne.

Ms. Mumby introduced Senior Program Officer Jaren Bonillo. Ms. Bonillo gave some highlights of her experience prior to joining SFAC; she holds an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and recently worked with the California Arts Council where she oversaw the grant programs for statewide and regional partnerships, as well as grants for organizational and professional development projects for arts non-profits. Ms. Bonillo also worked as the Executive Director of the Imagine Bus Project and in arts education at Southern Exposure.

Ms. Bonillo announced that the current CIP grant cycle is open and that staff is conducting outreach workshops in districts, 1, 6, 9, 10 and 11. The first workshop was held on September 10^th and was well attended with an estimated twenty-five first time attendees. The CIP grant guidelines and applications are now available on the SFAC website. The CIP staff will conduct technical assistance workshops for all grant categories through October.

Chair Charles Collins called for public comment.

There was no public comment.

Explanatory Documents: https://sfgov.org/arts/sites/default/files/Grant%20Outreach%20Flyer%20FY19-smaller.pdf

https://sfgov.org/arts/sites/default/files/SFAC%20Grants%20Convening%20Postcard%202018_0.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Bayview Opera House Presentation
Ms.Mumby introduced Director of Programs, Allegra Madsen from the Bayview Opera House. Ms. Madsen introduced her team, David Saenz, Facilities, Production Manager and Zarahia Perdomo, Assistant Production Manager and a graduate of the Theatre Tech Internship program.

Ms. Madsen reported that the goal of the Theatre Tech Internship is to cultivate local skills and build a cohort that can work, not only at the Bayview Opera House, but also in other Bay Area venues. The Theatre Tech Internship program started because the Bayview Opera House received significant upgrades to their technical equipment, which was made possible by a $200,000 grant from Google.

Facilities and Production Manager, David Saenz reported on the two programs piloted last year to serve both high school and college students. The internship program accepted five college students. All of the students completed the program and the Bayview Opera House now employs four of the previous students. The program’s training consisted of 102 hours over a three-month period in the areas of sound, lighting and stage management. One objective of the program is also that the college students can continue to work as mentors in the high school program. This program is available to college students located anywhere in the Bay Area.

Assistant Production Manager, Zarahia Perdomo is a graduate of the Theatre Tech Internship program. She noted that she had a great experience and appreciated the comprehensive hands on training. Now working as a lead mentor to the high school students, she said that it felt like a family and commented that the program not only taught hard skills about the technical equipment, but also offered life skills about accountability and responsibility. Ms. Perdomo added that the many of the graduates from the first high school pilot program have stayed on to work as stagehands at the Bayview Opera House.

Ms. Madsen reported that a highlight of the high school mentorship program is that it offers students an opportunity to assist with theatrical events at the Bayview Opera House; so students can experience working with artists on a live production. The high school program consists of six hours of training per week with an additional four hours of training at events, over twelve weeks. Students get experience with both backstage and front of house management. This program is available to high schools in district 10. The Theatre Tech Internship program for both high school and college students is gearing up for 2018 and staff will shortly accept applications for the new cohort.

The entire Commission commented on their excitement about the program and commended the Bayview Opera House staff for their hard work. There was a discussion about how this work could be used a baseline for pilot programs at all of the cultural centers. In addition, that it would be great if the internship programs could serve some of the SFAC grantees to be a truly cross-functional program.

There was also a discussion about the funding sources. Currently the Theatre Tech Internship program is funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, the California Arts Council and private donations. More funding would allow for more instructors and therefore expanded programming. Additional resources could also assist graduates to navigate the process of applying to work with the union.

Commissioner Collins closed the conversation by thanking the staff of the Bayview Opera House and urged the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee to deploy resources to assist with their continued work in any way. He added that he would love to see a presentation of this kind happen at a meeting of the full San Francisco Arts Commission.

Chair Charles Collins called for public comment.

There was no public comment.

Explanatory Documents: https://sfgov.org/arts/sites/default/files/Bayview%20Opera%20House%20Theater%20Tech%20Internship%20presentation.pdf

Arts for Neighborhood Vitality Grants

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increase the Arts for Neighborhood Vitality (“ANV”) grant to Brava for Women in the Arts (authorized by Resolution No. 0507-18-157) by $40,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an amended grant agreement for a total amount not to exceed $45,000 to support the Baile en la Calle festival.

Moved: Shelby / Shiota
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Creative Space Planning & Facilities Grant

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increase the Creative Space Facilities and Planning (“CRSP”) grant to Dance Brigade (authorized by Resolution No. 0501-17-114) by $30,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an amended grant agreement for a total amount not to exceed $80,000 to support Dance Brigade’s search for an affordable, long-term facility in the Mission for their continued programming.

Moved: Ordeñana / Melania
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Organization Project Grants

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increase to the Organization Project Grant (“OPG”) to Action Latina (authorized by Resolution No. 0501-17-116) by $50,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an amended grant agreement for total amount not to exceed $70,000 to support the Annual Encuentro del Canto Popular Festival and a memorial in honor of Alex Nieto.

Moved: Melania / Shiota
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increase to the Organization Project Grant (“OPG”) to Fresh Meat Productions (authorized by Resolution No. 0501-17-117) by $25,000 for a total amount not to exceed $45,000 to support the Annual Fresh Meat Festival and ongoing arts- related programming.

Moved: Melania / Shiota
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved, with the recusal of Vice President Ordeñana. Vice President Ordenana returned to the room at 2:15 p.m.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to rescind and reissue the Organization Project Grant (“OPG”) to the San Francisco Black Film Festival (current Fiscal Sponsor: West Bay Local Development Corporation) authorized by Resolution No. 0507-18-164 for a total amount not to exceed $20,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve the change of fiscal sponsor to the African American Arts and Culture Complex to support the Annual San Francisco Black Film Festival.

Moved: Melania / Shelby
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Special Projects Grants

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increases the Special Projects Grants (“SPX”), authorized by Resolution No 0305-18-067, to the following organizations and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into amended grant agreements with each organization for total amounts not to exceed those listed:

Noe Valley Chamber Music increase by $15,000 for a total amount not to exceed $30,000 to support Noe Valley Chamber Music’s Classical Kids Program.

Richmond District Neighborhood Center Inc. increase by $10,000 for a total amount not to exceed $20,000 to support the Annual Art Walk.

San Francisco Dyke March (Fiscal Sponsor: Community Initiatives) increase by $15,000 for a total amount not to exceed $30,000 to support the Annual San Francisco Dyke March.

San Francisco Trans March (Fiscal Sponsor: Queer Cultural Center) increase by $15,000 for a total amount not to exceed $30,000 to support the Annual San Francisco Trans March.

Moved: Melania / Shiota
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved, with the recusal of Vice President Ordeñana. Vice President Ordenana returned to the room at 2:20 p.m.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to approve an increase to the Special Projects Grant (“SPX”) to Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) (authorized by Resolution No 0402-18-093) by $25,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an amended grant agreement for a total amount not to exceed $55,000 to support the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association’s ongoing arts-related programming.

Moved: Melania / Shelby
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to increase the Special Projects Grant (“SPX”) to the Mission Economic Development Agency (authorized by Resolution No. 0605-17-169) by $115,000 and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an amended grant agreement for a total amount not to exceed $215,000 to support MEDA’s work to acquire arts spaces and to assist artists and cultural workers to find the below market rate rental and home purchasing programs.

Moved: Melania/Shiota
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to approve a recommendation to award the Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center a Special Projects Grant (“SPX”) and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement for amount not to exceed $10,000. This grant is made through District 7’s Participatory Budget to support four public performances of live music and dance in the Pomeroy Center’s Main Hall to create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities.

Moved: Shiota / Melania
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Native American Arts and Cultural Traditions Grants

Ms. Mumby reported that in an effort to meet the needs of the Native American community she conducted some outreach with local artists and organizations to see where funds could be best leveraged and then announced a request for proposals for a series of Special Projects Grants to serve the San Francisco Native American community. She added that happily there are enough resources to fund all of the projects that were submitted and that the proposed motions below reflect a diverse range of grantees from individual artists, organizations and timely special events such as the 50^th anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz.

Commissioner Collins noted that the timeliness of funding the special events is a good opportunity for publicity and applauded the work. Ms. Mumby added that she would like to more intentionally outreach to a few other communities, such as the Samoan and Polynesian communities, and create a dialogue on how we may be able to replicate this model of funding for other communities.

Action: Discussion and possible motion to approve recommendations to award Eight Native American Arts and Cultural Traditions Special Projects Grants (“NAACT-SPX”) to the following organizations and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization for amounts not to exceed those listed:

American Indian Contemporary Arts (Fiscal Sponsor: International Indian Treaty Council) $10,000 to support the Annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens.

American Indian Cultural Center (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) $10,000 to support preplanning activities in preparation for the first Tribal Canoe Journey in San Francisco, commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz.

American Indian Cultural Center (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) $50,000 to support ongoing capacity building and development of a cultural center.

American Indian Film Institute $60,000 to support the Annual American Indian Film Festival.

Javier Stell-Fresquez $10,000 to support a series of educational events that promote a connection amongst the Native American Two-Spirit community.

International Indian Treaty Council $10,000 to support a celebration of the first official Indigenous Peoples’ Day in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens.

Michele Maas (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts) $10,000 to support the creation of a monthly Indigenous Women’s Arts and Wellness Circle which will use cultural protocol, traditions and the arts to  provide space for fellowship and healing.

Peace Development Fund $10,000 to support a series of events facilitated by Restoring Justice for Indigenous Peoples to highlight murdered and missing Indigenous Women. 

Moved: Melania / Shelby
Public Comment: None.
The motion was unanimously approved.

 

New Business and Announcements
Discussion
(This item is to allow Commissioners to introduce new agenda items for consideration.)

Chair Charles Collins noted that there is a new Executive Director, Tallia Hart, at San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and suggested that the San Francisco Arts Commission staff reach out to her to discuss new models for working together, and to stress the importance of the arts on the local economy.

Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Posted 9/21/18 3:00 MB

10/1/18 Minutes Adopted

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Program Officer Molly Barrons, 415-252-2235 molly.barrons@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 Officer Molly Barrons, 415-252-2235 molly.barrons@sfgov.org. 

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Program Officer Molly Barrons, 415-252-2235 molly.barrons@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 Officer Molly Barrons, 415-252-2235 molly.barrons@sfgov.org.