MEETING

Community Investments Committee Meeting - 4/22/2025 - SFAC

Meeting details

Date and time

to

How to participate

In-person

San Francisco Arts CommissionCity Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 416
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions

Online

Watch Recording Here

Overview

Members of the Committee will attend this meeting in-person at the location listed above. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting in-person at the physical meeting location listed above or remotely online at https://sfgovtv.org. Members of the public attending the meeting in-person will have an opportunity to provide up to three minutes of public comment on every agenda item. Community Investments Committee Commissioners: Janine Shiota, Chair; J. Riccardo Benavides; Seth Brenzel; Charles Collins; Nabiel Musleh; Marcus Shelby

Agenda

1

Call to Order, Roll Call, Agenda Changes, Land Acknowledgment

  • Call to order
  • Roll call / Confirmation of quorum
  • Agenda Changes
  • Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgement

The San Francisco Arts Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramaytush Ohlone have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and relatives of the Ramaytush Community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. As a department dedicated to promoting a diverse and equitable Arts and Culture environment in San Francisco, we are committed to supporting the traditional and contemporary evolution of the American Indian community.

2

General Public Comment

Discussion
(This item is to allow members of the public to comment generally on matters within the Committee’s purview as well as to suggest new agenda items for the Committee’s consideration.)

3

Cultural Equity Endowment Fund and Grant Program Overview

Discussion

Staff Presenters: Director of Community Investments, Denise Pate; Senior Program Officer, Anne Trickey; Program Officers, Jennifer Atwood, Jennifer Chu, Jonell Molina; Program Associate, Kingsley Sun

Presentation Time: Approximately 15 minutes

4

FY25 Cultural Equity Endowment Funding Overview & Recommendations

Discussion and Possible Action

Staff Presenters: Senior Program Officer, Anne Trickey; Program Officers, Jennifer Atwood, Jennifer Chu

Presentation Time: Approximately 20 minutes

1) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendations of the San Francisco Artist Grant (SFA) panels, to award 67 grants totaling $2,005,000 to the following individuals, and to enter into grant agreements with each artist or their fiscal sponsor and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Allan Samson Manalo, $30,000*
  2. Calixto Robles, $30,000
  3. Camille Mai or Rebirth Canal, $30,000
  4. Chinchin Hsu, $30,000*
  5. Cruz Chan (Fiscal Sponsor: Clarion Performing Arts Center), $30,000*
  6. Crystal Vielula, $30,000
  7. Dan Lee or Scrabbel, $30,000
  8. Daniel Parada, $30,000*
  9. David James, $30,000
  10. Dj Juanny, $25,000*
  11. Dregs One, $30,000
  12. D'Vine Angel Riley, $30,000*
  13. Ebti, $30,000*
  14. Eddy Navia, $30,000
  15. Elizabeth Stephens, $30,000
  16. Erin Persley, $30,000*
  17. Evelyn Donají (Fiscal Sponsor: Galeria Studio 24), $30,000*
  18. Evie Leder, $30,000
  19. Goya_Goon, $30,000
  20. Harry Williams, $30,000*
  21. Hope A. Mohr, $30,000
  22. Jarrel Phillips, $30,000
  23. Jazmine Wilson, $30,000*
  24. Jose Esteban Abad, $30,000
  25. Jose Rivera, $30,000*
  26. Jun Yang, $30,000
  27. Keith Hennessy, $30,000
  28. Kim Shuck, $30,000
  29. Laura Gao, $30,000*
  30. Leonard Reidelbach*, $30,000
  31. Liz Cahill, $30,000*
  32. Lorena Jimenez Lopez, $30,000*
  33. Magué Calanche, $30,000*
  34. Marcia Aguilar, $30,000
  35. Mia J. Chong (Fiscal Sponsor: InterMusic SF), $30,000*
  36. Michael Warr, $30,000
  37. Mimi Lok, $30,000*
  38. Natasha Adorlee, $30,000*
  39. NICO CORONA, $30,000*
  40. Pamela Z, $30,000
  41. Paul S. Flores, $30,000
  42. Preeti Vangani, $30,000
  43. Rachel Bundoc Lucero, $30,000*
  44. Raffaella Falchi Macias, $30,000*
  45. Raissa Simpson, $30,000
  46. Ramon Abad, $30,000
  47. RedBone, $30,000*
  48. Rotimi Agbabiaka, $30,000
  49. Sabina Shanti Kariat, $30,000*
  50. SAMI SEE, $30,000
  51. Samuel Melecio-Zambrano, $30,000*
  52. Shelley Wong, $30,000
  53. Shizue Seigel (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $30,000
  54. Shruti Swamy, $30,000
  55. Simone Bailey, $30,000
  56. SirJoQ, $30,000*
  57. Spencer Chang, $30,000*
  58. Stephanie Sherman, $30,000*
  59. SUKAY/Pachamama, $30,000
  60. Tara Dorabji (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media), $30,000
  61. Tatiana Luboviski-Acosta, $30,000*
  62. Terrence, $30,000
  63. Therese Davis, $30,000
  64. Toshio Meronek, $30,000
  65. Tossie Long (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media), $30,000
  66. William Underwood III, $30,000*
  67. Wren Farrell, $30,000*

(* indicates new grantee)

Explanatory Document: FY25 Funding Recommendations-San Francisco Artist Grants

2) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendation of the Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG) panel, to award one grant totaling $75,000 to the following individual, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a grant agreement not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Mestra Cigarra, $75,000

Explanatory Document: FY25 Funding Recommendation-Artistic Legacy Grant

3) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendations of the Cultural Equity Initiatives panels, to award 29 grants totaling $2,275,000 to the following organizations, and to enter into grant agreements with the organization or their fiscal sponsor and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Abada-Capoeira San Francisco, $100,000
  2. Accion Latina, $100,000
  3. Arab Film and Media Institute, $75,000
  4. Asian Improv aRts (Fiscal Sponsor: Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center), $75,000
  5. Chinatown Media and Arts Collaborative, $100,000
  6. Cubacaribe, $75,000
  7. Cuicacalli (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $75,000
  8. David Herrera Performance Company (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers Group), $50,000
  9. Embodiment Project, $75,000
  10. Fools Fury Theater, $50,000
  11. Friends of Scrap Inc, $100,000
  12. Golden Thread Productions, $100,000
  13. Kearny Street Workshop Inc., $75,000
  14. Lenora Lee Dance (Fiscal Sponsor: Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center), $75,000
  15. Loco Bloco (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $75,000
  16. Magic Theatre Inc., $100,000
  17. Marigold Project Inc, $75,000
  18. Megan Lowe Dances (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers Group), $50,000*
  19. Nava Dance Theatre, $75,000
  20. Performing Arts Workshop Inc., $100,000
  21. Presidio Performing Arts Foundation, $75,000
  22. Queer Rebel Productions (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $75,000
  23. San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (Fiscal Sponsor: Fresh Meat Productions), $75,000
  24. SEW Productions Inc., $75,000
  25. Sharp and Fine, $50,000*
  26. Southern Exposure, $100,000
  27. The Dance Brigade A New Group From Wallflower Order, $100,000
  28. Three Girls Theatre Company Inc., $75,000
  29. TurkxTaylor Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Uptown Tenderloin Inc.), $50,000*

(* indicates new grantee)

Explanatory Document: FY25 Funding Recommendations-Cultural Equity Initiatives Grants

5

Arts Impact Endowment Fund and Grant Program Overview

Discussion

Staff Presenters: Director of Community Investments, Denise Pate; Senior Program Officer, Anne Trickey; Program Officers, Jonell Molina, Jennifer Atwood; Program Associate, Kingsley Sun

Presentation Time: Approximately 15 minutes

6

FY25 Arts Impact Endowment Funding Overview & Recommendations

Discussion and Possible Action

Staff Presenter: Senior Program Officer, Anne Trickey; Program Officer, Jonell Molina

Presentation Time: Approximately 10 minutes

1) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendations of the Arts Impact Endowment - Sustaining Ongoing Initiatives Funding Channel panels to award twenty-four (24) grants totaling $1,675,000, in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Community Services Allocation Plan; and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual or organization or their fiscal sponsor for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers, $100,000
  2. Audium Incorporated, $100,000*
  3. Brava for Women in the Arts, $100,000
  4. Fictional Artists Contemporary Theatre San Francisco (FACTSF), $100,000
  5. Fresh Meat Productions, $100,000
  6. San Francisco Mime Troupe, $100,000
  7. Shakespeare-San Francisco, $100,000
  8. Stagewrite: Building Literacy through Theatre (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts), $100,000
  9. Support for Intertribal Gatherings (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media), $100,000*
  10. The Lab SF, $100,000
  11. Afrolistic, $50,000
  12. Andrea Horne, $50,000*
  13. Angela Han, $50,000
  14. Caroline Julia Cabading, $50,000
  15. David R. Molina (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $50,000
  16. Emmanuel David Blackwell III, $50,000
  17. Kim Requesto, $50,000
  18. Michael Gene Sullivan (Fiscal Sponsor: San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company), $25,000*
  19. MS WHITE 1ST LADY OF FRISCO, $50,000*
  20. Rhea Joseph, $50,000*
  21. Rhodessa Jones (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $50,000
  22. Susan Terence (Fiscal Sponsor: Friends of School of the Art Foundation), $50,000
  23. William Rhodes, $50,000
  24. Yayoi Kambara, $50,000

(* indicates new grantee)

2) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendations of the Arts Impact Endowment –Resilience and Growth Funding Channel panels to award six (6) grants totaling $500,000, in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Community Services Allocation Plan; and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual or organization or their fiscal sponsor for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (Fiscal Sponsor: QCC- The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Arts & Culture), $100,000
  2. Kultivate Labs, $100,000
  3. Roxie Theater, $100,000
  4. Uptown Tenderloin Inc., $100,000
  5. Johnny Huy Nguyên (Fiscal Sponsor: Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center), $50,000
  6. Vampi, $50,000*

(* indicates new grantee)

3) Discussion and possible action to approve the funding recommendations of the Arts Impact Endowment – New Creative Opportunities Funding Channel panels to award eighteen (18) grants totaling $1,042,250, in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Community Services Allocation Plan; and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual or organization or their fiscal sponsor for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

  1. Flyaway Productions, $100,000
  2. Joe Goode Performance Group, $92,900
  3. La Lengua Teatro en Español (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $50,000*
  4. REALSOUL, $100,000*
  5. Celeste Chan, $50,000
  6. Clara Hsu, $50,000
  7. Jethro Patalinghug, $50,000
  8. Jocelyn Reyes, $50,000
  9. Juan de Dios Soto (Fiscal Sponsor: Cultural Y Nativa De Las Americas), $50,000
  10. Kevin Simmonds, $50,000
  11. La Doña (Fiscal Sponsor: Brava for Women in the Arts), $50,000
  12. Mabel Valdiviezo, $50,000
  13. Maria Soledad Sanchez, $49,350*
  14. Mary M Guzmán, $50,000
  15. Oscar Penaranda, $50,000
  16. Ranko Ogura, $50,000
  17. Tamu, $50,000
  18. Veronica Blair, $50,000

(* indicates new grantee)

Explanatory Document: FY25 Funding Recommendations-Arts Impact Endowment

7

Staff Report

Discussion

Staff Presenter: Director of Community Investments, Denise Pate

8

New Business and Announcements

Discussion

(This item is to allow the Commissioners to introduce new agenda items for consideration, to report on recent arts activities and to make announcements.)

9

Adjournment

Action

Meeting resources

Related documents

Community Investments Committee Meeting - Draft Minutes - April 22, 2025

Community Investments Committee Meeting - Draft Minutes - April 22, 2025

Community Investments Committee Meeting Agenda April 22, 2025

Community Investments Committee Meeting Agenda April 22, 2025

Notices

Timestamp

Agenda posted 4/18/2025 10:45 a.m., NP
Recording posted 4/23/2025 10:54 a.m., NP
Draft minutes posted 5/6/2025 12:45 p.m., NP

Accessibility Meeting Policy

Accessibility Meeting Policy 

Per the American Disabilities Act and the Language Access Ordinance, Chinese, Spanish, and/or American Sign Language interpreters will be available upon request. Additionally, every effort will be made to provide a sound enhancement system, meeting materials in alternative formats, and/or a reader. Minutes may be translated after they have been adopted by the Commission. For all these requests, please contact Program Associate Natalia Perez at least 48 hours before the meeting at 415-940-1794 or  sfac.grants@sfgov.org at least 48 hours before the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible. The hearing room is wheelchair accessible. 

利便参與會議的相關規定
根據美國殘疾人士法案和語言服務條例，中文、西班牙語、和/或美國手語翻譯人員在收到要求後將會提供翻譯服務。另外，我們將盡力提供擴音設備。同時也將會提供不同格式的會議資料， 和/或者提供閱讀器。此外，翻譯版本的會議記錄可在委員會通過後提供。上述的要求，請於會議前最少48小時致電 415-940-1794向Natalia Perez, sfac.grants@sfgov.org 提出。逾期提出的請求，若可能的話，亦會被考慮接納。聽證室設有輪椅通道

POLITICA DE ACCESO A LA REUNIÓN 

De acuerdo con la Ley sobre Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (American Disabilities Act) y la Ordenanza de Acceso a Idiomas (Language Access Ordinance) intérpretes de chino, español, y lenguaje de señas estarán disponibles de ser requeridos. En adición, se hará todo el esfuerzo posible para proveer un sistema mejoramiento de sonido, materiales de la reunión en formatos alternativos, y/o proveer un leedor. Las minutas podrán ser traducidas luego de ser aprobadas por la Comisión. Para solicitar estos servicios, favor contactar a Program Associate, Natalia Perez, por lo menos 48 horas antes de la reunión al 415-940-1794, sfac.grants@sfgov.org. Las solicitudes tardías serán consideradas de ser posible. La sala de audiencia es accesible a silla de ruedas.

Patakaran para sa pag-access ng mga Miting 

Ayon sa batas ng American Disabilities Act at ng Language Access Ordinance, maaring mag-request ng mga tagapagsalin wika sa salitang Tsino, Espanyol at/o sa may kapansanan pandinig  sa American Sign Language. Bukod pa dito, sisikapin gawan ng paraan na makapaglaan ng gamit upang lalong pabutihin ang inyong pakikinig, maibahagi ang mga kaganapan ng miting sa iba't ibang anyo, at/o isang tagapagbasa. Ang mga kaganapan ng miting ay maaring isalin sa ibang wika matapos ito ay aprobahan ng komisyon. Sa mga ganitong uri ng kahilingan, mangyari po lamang makipag ugnayan kay Program Associate, Natalia Perez sa 415-940-1794, sfac.grants@sfgov.org. Magbigay po lamang ng hindi bababa sa 48 oras na abiso bago ng miting. Kung maari, ang mga late na hiling ay posibleng tanggapin. Ang silid ng pagpupulungan ay accessible sa mga naka wheelchair. 

Agenda Item Information / Materials Available

Each item on the agenda may include the following documents: 

1) Department or Agency or report; 
2) Public correspondence; 
3) Other explanatory documents. 

Explanatory documents listed above, as well as documents created or distributed after the posting of this agenda to the Arts Commission will be available only electronically at https://sf.gov/departments/community-investments-committee-arts-commission. Please contact: Program Associate Natalia Perez at sfac.grants@sfgov.org or 415-940-1794 for more information. PLEASE NOTE: The Arts Commission often receives documents created or submitted by other City officials, agencies or departments after the posting of the Arts Commission agenda. For such documents or presentations, members of the public may wish to contact the originating agency if they seek documents not yet provided to the Arts Commission.

Disability Access

To obtain a disability‐related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact Program Associate Natalia Perez at sfac.grants@sfgov.org or 415-940-1794 , at least 48 hours before the meeting, except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline is 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday.

Electronic Devices Prohibited

The ringing and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. The Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device.

Instructions to View the Meeting Remotely

SFGovTV:  
To watch the meeting go to: SFGovTV.

NOTE: The San Francisco Arts Commission is discontinuing remote public comment for all public meetings starting in December 2023. Public comment will be taken in-person, with remote access provided for those who require an ADA accommodation. Requests for accommodation must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, pursuant to Administrative Code Section 97.7. Late requests will be honored if possible. Please reach out to sfac.grants@sfgov.org or by calling 415-252-2240 with any questions or to make an accommodation request.

Meeting Recording

A recording of this meeting will be available online 48 hours after the meeting at https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=151

Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100-2.160) to register and report lobbying activity.

For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone 415-252-3100, fax 415-252-3112 and sfethics.org. 

Meeting Procedures

  1. Agenda items will normally be heard in order. Please note that on occasion a special circumstance may necessitate that an agenda item be taken out of order. To ensure that an agenda item is not missed, it is advised to arrive at the beginning of the meeting. All agenda changes will be announced by the Chair at the top of the meeting.
  2. Public comments will be taken before or during the Committee’s consideration of each agenda item. Each speaker will be allowed to speak for the time allotted by the Chair at the top of the meeting for up to three minutes.
  3. During General Public Comment, members of the public may address the Commissioners on matters that are within the Arts Commission’s jurisdiction and are not on the agenda.
  4. Persons who spoke during the public comment period at a meeting of the Arts Commission may supply a brief written summary of the comments to be included in the minutes if it is 150 words or less. The Arts Commission may reject the summary if it exceeds the prescribed word limit or is not an accurate summary of the speaker’s public comment.
  5. Persons unable to attend an Arts Commission meeting may submit correspondence to the Arts Commission in connection with an agenda item. The Commission Secretary will post these documents adjacent to the agenda if they are one page in length. If they are longer than one page, the Arts Commission will make such documents available for public inspection and copying. Please note, correspondence submitted to the Arts Commission will NOT be read aloud during the meeting. Names and addresses included in these submittals will be public. Submittals may be made anonymously. Written comments pertaining to this meeting should be submitted to art-info@sfgov.org.

Public Comment

Public comment in regard to specific agenda items will be taken before or during consideration of the item. Each speaker may speak for up to three minutes per agenda item, unless the Chair has announced a different length of time at the beginning of the meeting. Speakers may not transfer their time to another person. Any person speaking during a public comment period may supply a written summary of their comments to be included in the minutes if it is 150 words or less. 

NOTE: The San Francisco Arts Commission is discontinuing remote public comment for all public meetings starting in December 2023. Public comment will be taken in-person, with remote access provided for those who require an ADA accommodation. Requests for accommodation must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, pursuant to Administrative Code Section 97.7. Late requests will be honored if possible. Please reach out to sfac.grants@sfgov.org or by calling 415-252-2240 with any questions or to make an accommodation request.

Sensitivity to Chemical-based Products

In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity, or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical-based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.

Sunshine Ordinance

Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact by mail to Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco CA 94102-4689; by phone at 415-554 7724; by fax at 415-554 7854; or by email at sotf@sfgov.org. 

Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the Internet, http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine/

Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances

Wheelchair-accessible entrances are located on Van Ness Avenue and Grove Street. There are elevators and accessible restrooms located on every floor.