I.

Calling of the Meeting to Order – Diane B. Wilsey, President

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Thursday, June 17, 2010 in the Board Room of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, San Francisco.  A quorum was present, that being one-third of the number of Trustees in office.  The meeting was called to order at 3:15 p.m. by Diane B. Wilsey, President.

President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.

II.

Calling of the Roll

The following Trustees were present:

Adolphus Andrews, Jr.
David H. S. Chung
Marion Moore Cope, Vice President for Annual Support
Belva Davis, Co-Vice President for Audience Development
  and Civic Affairs
Juliet de Baubigny
Denise B. Fitch
Harrison S. Fraker, Jr.
Karen B. Francois
Elise Friedman
Frankie Jacobs Gillette
Wheeler S. Griffith
Lauren Hall
Louise H. Renne
Venetta S. Rohal
Lisa M. Sardegna
Jeana Toney
Trevor D. Traina
Robert T. Wall
Diane B. Wilsey, President

On motion, duly seconded and carried, the following Trustees were excused:

Edward D. Baker III
Roger Barnett
Carol N. Bonnie
Carol W. Casey
Iris S. Chan
Penny Coulter
John A. Friede
Carlos A. Garcia
Cynthia Fry Gunn
Laure Fullerton Headrick
Gretchen Kimball
Janet W. Lamkin
David Lamond
Kathryn Lasater
Lawrence B. Low
Monica Maduro, Co-Vice President for Audience Development
  and Civic Affairs
Nancy McFadden
Carl Pascarella
Arlene Schnitzer
Susan S. Swartz
Jim Tananbaum
David Winton
Lisa Zanze

The following Ex-Officio Trustees were unable to be present:

Mayor Gavin Newsom
Mark Buell, President, Recreation and Park Commission

Other Trustees in attendance were:

Cheryl H. Bancroft
Robert J. Bransten
George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections
Stephanie MacColl
Gail Merriam
J. Alec Merriam
Monique Moyer
Paul A. Violich, Vice President for Finance
Florence Sue Wong

III.

Report of the Nominating Committee – Juliet de Baubigny, Chair

A.  Consideration and Possible Action to Elect the Following Nominees to the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for an Initial Three Year Term

Juliet de Baubigny, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the slate of nominees for election to the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  She advised that the candidacy of J. Michael Shepherd has been deferred.  The slate of nominees for election to an initial term of three years follows:

Jason M. Fish
Vanessa Getty
Frederick M. Goltz
Lucy Young Hamilton
Katherine Harbin
David Spencer

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees present.  There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect Jason M. Fish, Vanessa Getty, Frederick M. Goltz, Lucy Young Hamilton, Katherine Harbin, and David Spencer to the Board of Trustees for an initial term of three years.

B.  Welcome New Trustees

Newly elected Trustees Frederick M. Goltz, Lucy Young Hamilton, Katherine Harbin, and David Spencer joined the meeting and were welcomed with a round of applause.  Chair
de Baubigny noted that Jason M. Fish and Vanessa Getty were unable to attend today’s meeting.

C.  Report on Trustees Retiring from the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Chair de Baubigny reported that the following Trustees will retire from the Board of Trustees at the conclusion of today’s meeting:

Iris S. Chan
Marion M. Cope
Harrison S. Fraker, Jr.
David Winton

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Trustee de Baubigny expressed appreciation for their nine years of service.  The Board of Trustees acknowledged Trustees Chan, Cope, Fraker, and Winton with a round of applause.

D.  Consideration and Possible Action to Re-elect the Following Trustees to a Second Three Year Term

The nominees for election to a second term of three years to end at the conclusion of the annual meeting in June 2013 were:

Edward D. Baker, III
David H. S. Chung
Susan Swartz
Robert T. Wall
Lisa Zanze

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees present.  There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect the nominees to a second term of three years to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting in June 2013. 

E. Consideration and Possible Action to Re-elect the Following Trustees to a Third Three Year Term

The nominees for election to a second term of three years to end at the conclusion of the annual meeting in June 2013 were:

Adolphus Andrews, Jr.
Carol W. Casey
Elise Friedman
Lauren Hall

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees present.  There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect the nominees to a third term of three years to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting in June 2013. 

F.  Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Resignation of Roger Barnett from the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Chair de Baubigny advised that the Board of Trustees is being asked to approve the resignation of Roger Barnett from the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco in order that his name may be placed in nomination for the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Roger Barnett.

G.  Consideration and Possible Action to Elect Diane B. Wilsey to an Additional Three Year Term as President

Chair de Baubigny reported that the Nominating Committee recommends the nomination of Diane B. Wilsey to an additional three year term as President.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect President Wilsey to an additional three year term as President to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting in June 2013.

H.  Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Setting the Number of Trustee Positions

Chair de Baubigny noted that the proposed resolution detailed in the meeting agenda set the number of Trustee positions at forty-six (46).  However, as reported previously, the candidacy of a nominee was deferred, and therefore, the number of Trustee positions will be set at forty-five (45).  She read the following resolution setting the number of Trustee positions:

WHEREAS, The San Francisco Charter, Section 5.105, provides for a variable number of Trustees; and

WHEREAS, The Charter sets the number of Trustees at no more than sixty-two, with the exact number to be set by the Board of Trustees from time to time; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby set the number of Trustees at forty-five (45) until such number is changed by this Board.

A motion was made and duly seconded to adopt the above resolution setting the number of Trustee positions at forty-five (45).  There was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1692.

IV.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A.  Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the April 15, 2010 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the April 15, 2010 meeting of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.

B.  Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Report of the May 27, 2010 Acquisitions Committee Meeting – George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee

Chair Hecksher provided the following report of the May 27, 2010 meeting of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation:

Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of John McLaren, 1921, by Arthur Cahill, to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

Chair Hecksher reported that John McLaren, 1921, by Arthur Cahill, has been on
long-term loan since 1998 to McLaren Lodge, which houses the administrative offices of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.  John McLaren dedicated his life to the development of Golden Gate Park, was appointed Park Superintendant in 1887, and
McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park is named in his honor.  The Museums believe that this
is an appropriate location in Golden Gate Park to display the painting for cultural and historic reasons.  The Acquisitions Committee recommends that the painting be transferred to the City’s Recreation and Park Department where it will continue to be on view for the benefit of the public.

A correction to the resolution authorizing the transfer of this painting to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department was made from the floor, namely, that the reference to the number of acres in Golden Gate Park be changed from 100,000 to 1,000 acres.  The resolution approving the transfer of John McLaren by Arthur Cahill to the
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is listed on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes.

It was noted that the transfer of the painting is accomplished in accordance with Chapter 2A, Section 2A.155.10 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, pertaining to the Sale, Exchange or Transfer of Works of Art.

Purchases

Chair Hecksher reported that on May 4, 2010, the Museums successfully bid at Christie’s auction in New York to acquire The Absinthe Drinkers (Les buveurs d’absinthe), 1881 by Jean François Raffaëlli.  John E. Buchanan, Jr., Director of Museums, presented the painting, which was on view at the meeting.

Mr. Buchanan recognized the painting as a masterpiece of 19^th century realist painting.  It depicts an iconic image of a sentiment called “Modern Life” at the end of the 19^th century.  The subject of absinthe drinkers was depicted by Daumier, Manet, Degas, Forain, and Picasso.  This painting is regarded by critics, art historians and collectors as one of the artist’s most important works of art.  It was shown in the Sixth Group Impressionist Exhibition of 1881, where it was highly critically acclaimed. 

This classical realist style of 19^th century painting is not represented in the Museums’ collections.  The painting bridges the Museums’ earlier work by Daumier with later paintings
by Manet and Degas.  The Absinthe Drinkers (Les buveurs d’absinthe) is well-known and has been published widely. 

Chair Hecksher then acknowledged four additional purchases as follows: 
1) Still-Novo, 2010, by Garth Weiser, funded through the generosity of a Trustee and his wife; 2) Faience Perfume Bottle in the Shape of a Hippalektryon (cock-horse), early 6^th century B.C., East Greek, Ionia, Archaic period;

3) Exposition de la Gravure Japonaise (Exhibition of Japanese Prints), 1890, by Jules Chéret, which is featured in the exhibition, Impressionist Paris:  City of Light, which opened at the Legion of Honor on June 5; and

4) Ceremonial hanging (palepai), 19^th century, Indonesia, South Sumatra, Lampung, Kalianda region.

These five purchases are listed on page 2 of Appendix I of these minutes.

Gifts

Chair Hecksher advised that the Acquisitions Committee recommends the acceptance of 15 works of art from 11 donors.  He expressed sincere appreciation to all the donors.  The gifts offered to the Museums by the Fine Arts Museums Foundation are listed on pages 3 and 4 of Appendix I of these minutes.

Funded Purchases

The six artworks listed on page 5 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for purchase approval.

Second Step Deaccessioning

The 18 works of American art, 239 works of European Decorative Arts and 105 Prints and Drawings, listed on page 6 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for second step deaccessioning.

The following resolution was introduced:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the appended May 27, 2010 report of the Acquisitions Committee of
the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including approving the transfer of John McLaren, 1921, by Arthur Cahill, to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, approving the
works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco from the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, and approving second step deaccessioning.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1693. 

C.  Consideration and Possible Action to Change the Date and Location of the September 16, 2010 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in the Board Room at the Legion of Honor to September 30, 2010 in the Piazzoni Murals Room at the de Young Museum

President Wilsey advised that there is a need to reschedule the September 16, 2010 Executive Committee meeting due to a scheduling conflict.  She introduced the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That due to a scheduling conflict the date and location of the Thursday, September 16, 2010 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in the Board Room at the Legion of Honor is changed to Thursday, September 30, 2010 in the Piazzoni Murals Room at the de Young Museum, with the time of the meeting remaining the same, namely 3:00 p.m.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1694.

V.

Report of the Director – John E. Buchanan, Jr.

A.   Consideration and Possible Action to Approve a Loan Request

Mr. Buchanan presented the following loan request:

From:  Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain

For:  Edward Hopper
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain: 6/12/12 - 09/16/12

Galeries nationales, Grand Palais, Réunion des musées nationaux: 10/5/12 -1/28/13

Edward Hopper (American, 1882 - 1967)
Portrait of Orleans, 1950
Oil on canvas, 26 x 40 in. (66 x 101.6 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Jerrold and June Kingsley 1991.32

Stipulations:  The painting must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Madrid and must be a part of a couriered shipment between venues.  
All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the loan request.  There was no discussion among Trustees or public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the loan, subject to the conditions stated.

B.  Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution to Transfer Funds in the Admission Fund for the Fiscal Year 2010-11

Mr. Buchanan introduced the following resolution to transfer funds in the admission fund for Fiscal Year 2010-11 to reimburse the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for expenses incurred on behalf of the Museums:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of  San Francisco does hereby authorize the Controller of the City and County of San Francisco to transfer monthly excess revenue over monthly admission operating expenses in the Admission Fund (2S CRF RPD) Index Code 615001 to project Program for Fine Arts Admissions Fund, Index Code 615001, on a monthly basis for the Fiscal Year 2010-11; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the funds in project Program for Fine Arts Admissions Fund are to be used to reimburse the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for expenses incurred on behalf of the Museums.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1695.

C.  Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Funding Expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums During the Period January 1 through March 31, 2010

The city’s Sunshine Ordinance requires the Fine Arts Museums to disclose the amount and source of all gifts received.  Mr. Buchanan presented the following resolution, which
acknowledges funding expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for the period January 1 through March 31, 2010.

WHEREAS, The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that exists to support the activities of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge with gratitude funding in the amount of $7,823,890 expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for operations during the period January 1 through March 31, 2010.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1696.

D.  Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution  Acknowledging Bequests of Funds Received During the Period January 1 through
March 31, 2010

In accordance with the city’s Sunshine Ordinance, bequests received by the Fine Arts Museums must also be disclosed.  Mr. Buchanan introduced the following resolution, acknowledging the subsequent bequests of funds received by the Museums during the period January 1 through March 31, 2010.

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge the bequests of funds received during the period January 1 through March 31, 2010:

Walter Steinberg Revocable Living Trust, $25,000
Estate of Hildegard Seidel, $236,789.90

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1697.

VI.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Board of Trustees on items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  Speakers may address the Board for up to three minutes; the President or the Board of Trustees may limit the total comment to thirty minutes.  There was no public comment.

VII. 

Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits

A.  2010 Board of Trustees Meetings

B.  2010 Executive Committee Meetings

C.  Future Events

D.  Current and Future Exhibitions

Legion of Honor - Major Special Exhibitions[1]

de Young Museum -  Major Special Exhibitions

VIII.

Adjournment – Diane B. Wilsey, President

There being no further business, President Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Gough
Executive Secretary, Museums

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