MEETING

Special Meeting of the San Francisco Arts Commission Meeting

Meeting details

Date and time

to

How to participate

In-person

San Francisco Arts CommissionPort Commission Hearing Room
Ferry Building, Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111

Online

*Please note special location* This meeting will not be livestreamed. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting in person at the physical meeting location listed above. 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. A recording of this meeting will be available online, 48 hours after the meeting.
Listen to Recording Here

Overview

Members of the Commission will attend this meeting in person at the location listed above. Arts Commissioners: Charles Collins, President; Janine Shiota, Vice President; JD Beltran, J. Riccardo Benavides, Seth Brenzel, Patrick Carney, Suzie Ferras, Mahsa Hakimi, Yiying Lu, Nabiel Musleh, Jessica Rothschild, Marcus Shelby, Debra Walker, Lydia So, ex officio (non-voting)

Agenda

1

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

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call / Confirmation of quorum
  3. Agenda Changes
  4. 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 Commission’s purview as well as to suggest new agenda items for the Commission’s consideration.)

3

Consent Calendar

Discussion and possible action

Presentation Time: Approximately 5 minutes

The following items are included in the Consent Calendar subject to withdrawal at the request of a commissioner.

  1. Motion to approve the April 21, 2025, Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes.
  2. Motion to approve the April 22, 2025, Community Investments Committee Meeting Minutes.
  3. Motion to approve the April 16, 2025, Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes.

    Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (April 21, 2025, link to agenda)
    Action

  4. Motion to approve Phase 2 Review for SFFD Division of Training: Phase 2 Review

  5. Motion to approve Phase 2 Review for Moccasin Engineering & Records Building

  6. Motion to approve Conceptual & Phase 1 Review SFO Recycled Water System Project - Control Room / Process Building

    Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (April 16, 2025, link to agenda)
    Action

  7. Motion to approve Winter Stream, a painted stairway design by Tad Sky. The work will be installed on the Upper Detroit Steps between Monterey Blvd. and Joost Ave. in District 7. The mural measures approximately 700 sq. ft. across 115 stairs and adjoining retaining walls. The artwork is funded by local community fundraising and will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The Detroit Steps Project community group will be responsible for the maintenance of the mural.

  8. Motion to approve the final selection of works for the second installment of 2025 Art on Market Street Poster Series.

  9. Motion to approve artist Maria Belen Islas Cuellar for the San Francisco Main Library Temporary Atrium Mural Project, as recommended by the Artist Review Panel.

  10. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Maria Belen Islas Cuellar for an amount not to exceed $17,000 for the design of a temporary mural for the San Francisco Main Library atrium.

  11. Motion to approve Nina Chanel Abney, Hank Willis Thomas, and Jenifer Wofford as finalists for the Terminal 3 West Arrivals Art Wall Public Art Project, as recommended by the Artist Review Panel.

  12. Motion to approve Teresa Baker, Sadie Barnette, and Marcel Pardo Ariza as finalists for the Terminal 3 West Wheelchair Lounge Public Art Project, as recommended by the Artist Review Panel.

    Community Investments Committee Recommendations (April 22, 2025, link to agenda)
    Action

  13. Motion 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)
  14. Motion 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
  15. Motion 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)
  16. Motion 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)
  17. Motion 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)
  18. Motion 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 (Fiscal Sponsor: Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center)*
    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)
4

Strategic Planning and Visioning

Discussion

AMS Planning & Research will share results from research tasks undertaken as part of the SFAC’s strategic planning process and facilitate a discussion about the agency’s purpose, success indicators, and goals with those present.

5

Adjournment

Action

Meeting resources

Related documents

May 5, 2025 Agenda - Special Meeting Full Commission

May 5, 2025 Agenda - Special Meeting Full Commission

May 5, 2025, Minutes - Full Commission Meeting Draft

May 5, 2025, Minutes - Full Commission Meeting Draft

Notices

Timestamp

Agenda posted 04/09/2025 01:00 p.m., md

Amended agenda posted 04/28/2025 12:25 p.m., md

Accessible Meeting Policy

Accessible 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 Commission Secretary Manraj Dhaliwal at least 48 hours before the meeting at 415-252-2247, manraj.dhaliwal@sfgov.org. Late requests will be honored if possible. The meeting 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415-252-2247向 Manraj Dhaliwal, manraj.dhaliwal@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 Commission Secretary, Manraj Dhaliwal, por lo menos 48 horas antes de la reunión al 415-252-2247, manraj.dhaliwal@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 Commission Secretary Manraj Dhaliwal  sa 415-252-2247, manraj.dhaliwal@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

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://www.sf.gov/departments/executive-committee-arts-commission, please contact: Commission Secretary Manraj Dhaliwal at manraj.dhaliwal@sfgov.org or 415-252-2247. 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 Manraj Dhaliwal at manraj.dhaliwal@sfgov.org or 415-252-2247, 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 of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting, except as necessary to participate remotely. The Chair may order the exclusion from participation of any person responsible for improper disruptions to this remote meeting. 

Instructions to view the meeting remotely

This meeting will not be livestreamed. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting in person at the physical meeting location listed above. 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. A recording of this meeting will be available online, 48 hours after the meeting.

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 art-info@sfgov.org or by calling 415-252-2255 with any questions or to make an accommodation request.

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 comment 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 or up to three (3) 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. Any person speaking during a public comment period may supply a brief written summary of their comments, which shall, if no more than 150 words, be included in the official file. Written comments pertaining to this meeting should be submitted to art-info@sfgov.org. 

5. Persons attending the meeting and those unable to attend may submit written comments regarding the subject of the meeting. Such comments will be made part of the official public record and will be brought to the attention of the committee. Written comments should be submitted to Arts Commission staff via email to art-info@sfgov.org by 5:00 p.m. before the date of the meeting. Please note that names and addresses included in these submittals will become part of the public record. Submittals may be made anonymously. Written public comment submitted to SFAC staff will not be read aloud during the meeting. Communications not received prior to the meeting may be delivered to SFAC staff and will be shared with the commissioners.

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 art-info@sfgov.org or by calling 415-252-2255 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/