I.

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

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in the Piazzoni Murals Room of the de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Because of the change in date from Thursday, April 28, 2011 to Tuesday, April 26, 2011, the meeting was noticed as a special meeting.  A quorum was present that being one third of the number of Trustees in office.  The meeting was called to order at 3:12 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.
Carol N. Bonnie
Carol W. Casey
Belva Davis, Vice President
Denise B. Fitch
Elise Friedman
Carlos A. Garcia
Frederick M. Goltz
Wheeler S. Griffith
Cynthia Fry Gunn
Lauren Hall
Lucy Hamilton[1]
Gretchen Kimball
Kathryn Lasater, Vice President for Development
Lawrence B. Low
Louise H. Renne
Venetta S. Rohal
David Spencer
Susan S. Swartz
Jeana Toney
Diane B. Wilsey, President
Lisa Zanze

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

Edward D. Baker III
Zachary S. Bogue
David H. S. Chung, Vice President for Finance
Penny Coulter
Juliet de Baubigny
Jason M. Fish
Karen B. Francois
John A. Friede
Vanessa Getty
Frankie Jacobs Gillette
Katherine Harbin
Laure Fullerton Headrick
Janet W. Lamkin
David Lamond
Monica Maduro (Leave of Absence)
Nancy McFadden
Carl Pascarella
Lisa M. Sardegna
Arlene Schnitzer
Jim Tananbaum
Trevor D. Traina
Robert T. Wall

The following ex-officio Trustees were unable to be present:

Mayor Edwin M. Lee
Mark Buell, President, Recreation and Park Commission

Other Trustees in attendance were:

J. Burgess Jamieson
Paul A. Violich
Florence Sue Wong 

III.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the January 27, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the January 27, 2011 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 February 24, 2011 Acquisitions Committee Meeting – George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee

In the absence of Chair Hecksher, John E. Buchanan, Jr., Director of Museums, presented the following report of the February 24, 2011 meeting of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation:

1. Purchases
Mr. Buchanan discussed the contemporary glass sculpture, The Lightness of Being, 4, 2008, by Howard Ben Tré (American, b. 1949), which was generously funded by the wife of a late Trustee.  The sculpture joins ten other artworks by the artist, which are partially gifted by the donor(s), and is on display in Gallery 5 at the de Young.

American Art

Mr. Buchanan invited Julian Cox, Founding Curator of Photography and Chief Curator of the de Young Museum, to discuss the remaining purchases.  Mr. Cox first presented an oil painting, In the Elevated, 1916 by Theresa Bernstein (American, 1890 – 2002), which was on display at the meeting.  The painting is a major addition to the American Art collection, and is recognized as the artist’s most famous painting.  Born in Philadelphia, Bernstein travelled widely in Europe and settled in New York City.  She is an important early twentieth-century female artist with strong ties to the Ashcan school.

Photography

Mr. Cox then presented three photographs, on display at the meeting, by Ralph Eugene Meatyard (American, 1925-1972): Untitled, ca. 1959, Untitled, ca. 1962, and Untitled, ca. 1962.  Meatyard was born in Illinois in 1925 and lived most of his life in Lexington, Kentucky.  He was an optician by profession who took up photography to document his young and growing family.  Mr. Cox noted that Meatyard is a major figure in photography worthy of a significant commitment on behalf of the Museums.  The three photographs come from the artist’s estate and have been selected for their excellent print quality and rarity.

In addition, Mr. Cox described Chrysanthemums, 1938, a carbro print by Paul Outerbridge.  The artist is an important American modernist particularly noted for his contributions to the field of color photography.

Prints and Drawings

At Mr. Buchanan’s request, Karin Breuer, Curator of Contemporary Graphic Art, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, discussed two mezzotints by photo-realist Chuck Close (American, born 1940), both on display at the meeting.  Working Proof for Keith, 1972, was part of a major acquisition of the Crown Point Press archive in 1991.  At its October 21, 2010 meeting the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums approved the purchase of Trial Proof for Keith, 1972, contingent upon the availability of funds, which were underwater at the time.  Ms. Breuer reported that funding has become available to purchase Trial Proof for Keith.  Working Proof for Keith is a pivotal work for Chuck Close.  These two significant images will provide important opportunities for exhibition and education. 

The six artworks listed on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for purchase approval. 

2. Gifts

In addition to the three Ralph Meatyard photographs recommended for purchase as noted above, Mr. Cox discussed two additional photographs gifted by the artist’s family -- Untitled, ca. 1961 and Untitled, ca. 1966.  The five photographs to enter the permanent collection under this gift / purchase arrangement will eventually be on view as part of an exhibition at the de Young Museum entitled Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls and Masks. 

Mr. Buchanan also noted the gift of the remaining 10% interest in Ponds and Streams, 2001, by Wayne Thiebaud.  The painting is a gift of a former Trustee, who gave the 90% partial interest in 1991.  It is currently on display in Gallery 15 at the de Young and was also installed in Wilsey Court when the new de Young Museum opened in October 2005.

Mr. Buchanan expressed sincere appreciation to the donors.  The gifts offered to the Museums by the Fine Arts Museums Foundation are listed on page 2 of Appendix I of these minutes.

3. Acceptance of Full Title for a Gift of Thirty-Eight Artworks Donated in 1964 to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Mr. Buchanan reported on the gift of 38 artworks donated to the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in 1964, for which full title is now passing to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  The collection, a mix of old masters, including works by Rembrandt, Georges Braque, Honoré Daumier, Paul Klee, John Marin, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and others, was exhibited at the de Young in 1984.  The artworks are listed on pages 3 and 4 of Appendix I of these minutes.

4. Funded Purchases

Five funded purchases for the Prints and Drawings collection, noted on page 5 of Appendix I of these minutes, were recommended to the Board of Trustees for purchase approval.

5. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Two Commemorative Medals to the Swedish Cultural Heritage Foundation of Northern California

At the suggestion of Barbro Osher, Honorary Swedish Consul General in San Francisco, the Swedish Cultural Heritage Foundation of Northern California expressed interest in the transfer of two commemorative medals by Carl Oscar Borg, which were gifts of the Swedish-American Committee, 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.  The medals, deaccessioned in 2001 for eventual transfer to a history-related organization, will be available for viewing by the public at the Swedish Cultural Heritage Foundation located in San Francisco.

The resolution authorizing the transfer of the two Commemorative Medals by Carl Oscar Borg to the Swedish Cultural Heritage Foundation is stated on pages 6 and 7 of Appendix I of these minutes.

6. Sale of Fifteen Non-Accessioned Objects at Public Auction (American Paintings and American Furniture)

Mr. Buchanan discussed the sale of fifteen non-accessioned objects, American paintings and American furniture, which came to the Museums as part of an unrestricted bequest.  The fifteen artworks were confirmed to have been bequeathed to the Museums outright and free of restrictions.  The Curator of American Art determined that these objects were unsuitable for the permanent collection, and the objects were not accessioned into the permanent collection.  The Museums have the authority to sell these objects in accordance with current policies and practices for the sale of non-accessioned material.

The Acquisitions Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees that the 15 objects listed on page 8 of Appendix I of these minutes be offered for sale at public auction.

7. First Step Deaccessioning

The 3 American artworks and 334 European Decorative Arts objects listed on page 9 Appendix I of these minutes were recommended to the Board of Trustees for first step deaccessioning. 

8. Second Step Deaccessioning

The 11 American paintings and 15 maritime objects, listed on page 10 of Appendix I of these minutes, were recommended to the Board of Trustees for second step deaccessioning.  As required by Board policy, the Acquisitions Committee viewed the objects proposed for second step deaccessioning at its February 24, 2011 meeting. 

The following resolution was then introduced:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the appended February 24, 2011 report of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including 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, accepting full title for a gift of thirty-eight artworks donated in 1964 to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; approving a resolution authorizing the transfer of two commemorative medals to the Swedish Cultural Heritage Foundation of Northern California; approving the sale of fifteen non-accessioned objects at public auction (American paintings and American furniture), and approving first step and 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 1708.

C. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve a Change in Date for the Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from Thursday, June 23, 2011 to Tuesday, June 21, 2011

President Wilsey advised that the Thursday, June 23, 2011 annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco conflicts with the Museums’ Fiscal Year 2011-12 City budget hearing before the Board of Supervisors.  Consequently, a change in date for the annual meeting is proposed to Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

She introduced the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That due to the budget hearing for the Fiscal Year 2011-12 City budget for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco before the Board of Supervisors of the City and

County of San Francisco scheduled for Thursday, June 23, 2011, the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby change the date of the Thursday, June 23, 2011 annual meeting to Tuesday, June 21, 2011, with the time and location remaining the same, namely, 3 p.m., in the Board Room at the Legion of Honor.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1709.

IV.

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

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests

Mr. Buchanan presented the following loan requests:

1. From:Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY

For: Crafting Modernism: Mid-Century American Art and Design
Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY: 10/21/11 – 1/15/12
Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY:
2/25/12 – 5/20/12

Ruth Asawa (American, b. 1926)
Untitled, ca. 1968
Copper and brass wire, 259.1 x 40.6 x 40.6 cm (102 x 16 x 16 in.)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Jacqueline Hoefer
2006.76.2

Stipulations:The sculpture must travel with mounting instructions, which will be carried out at the borrower’s locations with local experts.  No courier required.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

2. From:Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI

For:Impressionism on Paper: Drawings from Manet to Van Gough
Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI: 10/15/11 – 1/8/12
Albertina, Vienna, Austria: 2/19/12 – 5/13/12

Georges Seurat (French, 1859–1891)
Woman Bending, Viewed from Behind, ca. 1881–1882
Conté crayon on cream laid paper
Sheet: 311 x 242 mm (12 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Memorial gift from
Dr. T. Edward and Tullah Hanley, Bradford, Pennsylvania
69.30.187

Stipulations:The drawing must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to the Milwaukee Art Museum and from the Albertina in Vienna.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization.

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

B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Funding Expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums During the Period October 1 through December 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 to support the operations of the Museums for the period October 1 through December 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 $7,447,483 expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for operations during the period October 1 through December 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 1710.

C. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Bequests of Funds Received During the Period October 1 through December 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 October 1 through December 31, 2010.

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

Jean Fortna Bequest, $13,500
Mary Moffatt Price Estate, $250,000

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 1711.

D. Presentation of the 2010 McNeil Volunteer Recognition Awards –
Carole McNeil, President Diane B. Wilsey, and John E. Buchanan, Jr.

1. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Two Resolutions Honoring the Recipients of the 2010 McNeil Volunteer Recognition Awards

Mr. Buchanan extended the Museums’ gratitude to Carole and Robert McNeil, who have generously continued their support of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award Program.  The program represents an innovative opportunity to recognize the achievements of many individuals who support the Museums on a voluntary basis.  The nominations were reviewed by a committee consisting of staff and volunteers.

Mr. Buchanan invited Mrs. McNeil and President Wilsey to assist with the presentation of the awards.  Mrs. McNeil expressed appreciation to the Fine Arts Museums for their continued commitment to the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award Program and the Museums’ volunteers. 

The recipients of the 2010 McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award were acknowledged: a) Barbara Nitzberg, volunteer in the Textiles Conservation Lab since 1982; and b) Sue Surges, Volunteer program member and leader since 1990.

a.  Volunteer Barbara Nitzberg, Textiles Conservation Lab

President Wilsey read the following resolution honoring Barbara Nitzberg:

WHEREAS, Barbara Nitzberg has been an inspiring and stalwart volunteer, an invaluable resource and a generous mentor in the Fine Arts Museums’ Textiles Department for nearly thirty years; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Nitzberg has done it all -- examining and reporting on new acquisitions, installing and de-installing exhibitions, training graduate school interns in the fundamentals of collection care, and contributing to many collection management and documentation projects; and

WHEREAS, She stretches the definition of “Volunteer,” serving as teacher, conservator, technician, and expert, and it is recognized that working with Barbara is always a pleasure and a learning experience; and

WHEREAS, She has given her encyclopedic and exact “textilian” knowledge and skills to the Museums, making her the “go-to” person for understanding the structure and unlocking the mysteries of textiles; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Nitzberg is an expert weaver in her own right, with unparalleled craftsmanship skills and a deep love of textiles that enable her to deftly decipher and repair textile objects; and

WHEREAS, She enthusiastically embraces assignments ranging from conducting a thorough mannequin survey to her current project of making archival storage / exhibition mounts for the 500 piece hat collection; and

WHEREAS, She is possessed of a rare combination of qualities: scholarly knowledge and experience, reliable and faithful service, and a kind and cheerful demeanor; and

WHEREAS, Because she is a bedrock of support, skills, and dedication, recommendations in support of her nomination for the McNeil Award were received from professional conservators around the world whom she mentored as interns; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby express its deepest gratitude to Barbara Nitzberg for her extraordinary service, boundless enthusiasm, and total devotion to the Fine Arts Museums and further extends heartfelt congratulations upon her selection as a recipient of the 2010 McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award.

The Board of Trustees acknowledged Ms. Nitzberg’s outstanding volunteer efforts with a sustained round of applause.  A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution.  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 1712. 

b. Sue Surges, Captain, Sunday Afternoon Volunteers

The subsequent resolution honoring Sue Surges was read by President Wilsey:

WHEREAS, Sue Surges, an invaluable member of the Fine Arts Museums’ volunteer program for over twenty years, makes every volunteer, visitor, and member she meets feel welcome and at home in the Museums at all times; and

WHEREAS, During the past two decades, she has served on the Volunteer Steering Committee, as Coordinator of Captains far longer than any other person who has held that position, and has been Captain of the Sunday afternoon shift at both the Legion of Honor and at the de Young; and

WHEREAS, She reports for her own Sunday shift at the Museums, never missing a day, and always willing to assume any volunteer duty required; and

WHEREAS, In each of these roles, Sue Surges inspires every volunteer to want to give the gift of service in the very best way possible; and

WHEREAS, She is beloved among her peers who treasure her as professional, thorough, and capable of arming them with unlimited information about the Museums; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Surges has a deep devotion to and a broad knowledge of the Museums and is unfailingly cheerful, optimistic, fair, and a joy to work with; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Surges brings her background as a teacher to bear with precise organization, careful preparation, and infinite patience; and

WHEREAS, She is inspiring and humble all at once, treating staff, visitors, and volunteers with the highest respect; and
 

WHEREAS, Her tireless efforts, masterful communication, and effective leadership
have made the Volunteer Corps a positive and informative force for the Museums; and

WHEREAS, Sue Surges defines “volunteer extraordinaire,” and it is no wonder that the profound affection and admiration her colleagues hold for her make her “The People’s Choice” for this award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby express its deepest gratitude to Sue Surges for her extraordinary service, boundless enthusiasm, and total devotion to the Fine Arts Museums and further extends heartfelt congratulations upon her selection as a recipient of the 2010 McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award.

Mrs. Surges and her remarkable volunteer efforts were recognized by the Board of Trustees with a sustained round of applause.  A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution.  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 1713. 

Mrs. McNeil then presented Ms. Nitzberg and Mrs. Surges with replicas of the Small Hand by Auguste Rodin.

2. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Projects Proposed by Each of the Recipients for $15,000 in Funding

Mr. Buchanan introduced the projects proposed by each of the recipients for $15,000 in funding:

Poets in the Galleries Series – Barbara Nitzberg
Conservation and preservation of The Thinker, 1904, by August Rodin – Sue Surges

A motion was made and duly seconded to approve the two proposals for $15,000 in funding per project.  There was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the two proposals for $15,000 in funding per project.

V.

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.

VI.

Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits

A. 2011 Board of Trustees Meetings
 

B. 2011 Executive Committee Meetings
 

C. Future Events
 

D. Current and Future Exhibitions[2]

            Legion of Honor - Major Special Exhibitions

de Young Museum -  Major Special Exhibitions

VII.

Adjournment in Memory of Former Trustee Genevieve di San Faustino - Diane B. Wilsey, President

There being no further business, President Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m. in memory of Retired Trustee Genevieve di San Faustino, who passed away on March 11, 2011.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Gough
Executive Secretary, Museums

Note:  These minutes set forth all actions taken up by the Board of Trustees on matters stated, but not necessarily in the order in which the matters were considered.