Come on Up to Sacramento!
California Advocacy Day and CAC Conference
Join us and hundreds of your peers in Sacramento next month.
Make your plans now for two not-to-be-missed events in Sacramento coming up in just two weeks: The California Arts Council’s annual statewide conference on March 4 and California Arts Advocates’ Advocacy Day on March 5. The CAC and CAA are jointly planning their two events with the aim of inspiring, educating and motivating artists, arts administrators and arts supporters representing every possible discipline from communities across the state. Register for both events at the CAC web site,
http://www.cac.ca.gov/artsconference.
CAC Conference, March 4, “The Future: What’s Next?”
Join the California Arts Council, members of arts organizations, educators, your government, foundations, and arts stakeholders in addressing the question of “what’s next?” for the arts. Speakers will lead attendees through presentations and round table discussions—from state and national perspectives —through the lens of changing demographics, cultural diversity, arts education, audiences, media, etc. The day begins with Derek Woodgate (Futurist and President of The Futures Lab), and continues with Jonathan Katz (Director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies), Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto (Educator, Author, and former Associate Director for Creativity & Culture at the Rockefeller Foundation), Richard J. Deasy (Director of the Arts Education Partnership, Washington, D.C.), and Joseph Hayes (Research Associate, Public Policy Institute of California). Senator Jack Scott and Assemblymember Betty Karnette will receive awards of appreciation for their strong support of the arts.
The conference will be held at Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium — 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check-in and Continental breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
The day concludes with a Reception hosted by California Arts Advocates for lawmakers and their arts constituents from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. Catered by The Broiler, at 1201 K Street, 15th floor. Tickets: $20 per person
California Arts Advocacy Day, March 5
California Arts Advocates will present a morning advocacy training session, 8:30am to noon, on March 5, with speakers, panels and a continental breakfast at the Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H Street, Sacramento. The afternoon will be filled by meetings with state legislators and their staff at the State Capitol. California Arts Advocates will arrange appointments for all attendees who have registered by February 22. Registration Fee: $35 per person
Featured speakers:
Jonathan Katz, CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Presentation: Steps to Advocacy Success
Assembly Member Betty Karnette, chair, Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media
Muriel Johnson, director, California Arts Council
Panel 1: How do local, state and federal advocacy efforts intersect and work together
to successfully advocate for the arts before city councils, county boards,
school boards, state legislators and the US Congress?
Panelists: Deborah Cullinan, Arts Forum SF; Danielle Brazell, Arts for LA; Lisa Caretto, California Arts Advocates; Jay Dick, Americans for the Arts
Moderator; Brad Erickson, Theatre Bay Area, CAA Board President
Panel 2: Advocacy Prep for meetings with state legislators and staff members at the Capitol. Learn key issues, talking points and tips to best communicate your arts message.
Panelists: Kathy Lynch, Legislative Advocate for California Arts Advocates (CAA); Dalouge Smith, CEO San Diego Youth Symphony and CAA Board Member; Lisa Caretto, CAA Executive Director
Moderator: Terence McFarland, LA Stage Alliance, CAA Board Vice-President
Meetings with state legislators and staff at the State Capitol: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come to Sacramento and make your voices heard!
Brad Erickson Deborah Cullinan
Executive Director Executive Director
Theatre Bay Area Intersection for the Arts
415-430-1140 x11 415-626-2787
Of all the states, California boasts the largest population while, on a per capita basis, spending far less on the arts—a little more than a nickel per person.
Decisions made in Sacramento affect artists and arts organizations in ways that go far beyond monetary support, or the lack of it. Serious proposals for universal access to health care are being put forward from both sides of the aisle. A slew of lesser known, but potentially significant, bills are being formulated now and could impact artists, arts organizations, and our communities in a variety of ways.
What’s up at the state Capitol?
How would new bills affect your work as an artist?
What would it take to develop an arts policy for California?
What can you do?
Arts Forum SF is pleased to announce a Legislative Update, generously hosted by the San Francisco Foundation, and facilitated by California Arts Advocates (www.californiaartsadvocates.org).
Presenters include veteran arts lobbyist Kathy Lynch, and California Arts Advocates President and Legislative Liaison Lisa Caretto. A period of questions and answers will follow.
Similar Legislative Updates have been convened in Los Angeles, San Diego and Fresno. Join our colleagues around California in a growing effort to re-energize advocacy for the arts in our state.
When: Thursday, February 8
10:00—Noon
Where: San Francisco Foundation
225 Bush Street, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
RSVP: Space is limited. Please RSVP by February 6, via email, to Brad Erickson at Theatre Bay Area: brad@theatrebayarea.org.
]]>District 4: David Ferguson, Candidate
District 4: Jaynry Mak, Candidate
District 6: Rob Black, Candidate
District 6: Chris Daly, Incumbent
District 6: Viliam Dugovic, Candidate
District 6: Robert L. Jordan, Jr, Candidate
District 8: Bevan Dufty, Incumbent
]]>2. Describe your current arts activities as a patron, an audience member or worker, etc. What arts events have you participated in recently?
I have attended events at Bindlestiff, Dance Mission, artist exhibitions at Developing Environments, Luggage Store, Counterpulse. I try to help all arts organizations that come to me for assistance..
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
Debra Walker, Bindlestiff, Luggage Store Gallery. Yes, I have worked with each, and many others frequently over the years.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
Yes
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
District 6 is the home to some of the most cutting edge artists and arts organizations in this country, and the world. I will continue to offer support, will continue to fight for funding, will work with these organizations to provide access to governmental support for programming, and will work to expand local, state and national funding for the arts. I will support cultural centers in every neighborhood and prioritize space for non-profits.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
As chair of the Budget and Finance Committee last year, I restored $250,000.00 of funding to the arts in the 2005 supplemental, which went directly to organizations in the community. I also added 1.5 million to the 2006 budget to retool the neighborhood arts program through the Arts Commission. I believe the arts infrastructure needs to be integrated…with itself and with the rest of San Francisco’s body politic. The funding should be coordinated with the policy, the arts policy should be integrated with other department’s policies. I support funding for operational support for arts (Grants for the Arts) because in addition to the cultural benefits, the arts, as an industry, contributes over a billion and a half dollars into our economy. I think the arts, and our city would be better served if all of our arts “departments” were coordinated together.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
I am prioritizing the arts in the coming budget, as I did in last year’s budget priorities. We will be looking at the progress made with the increases in this current year and the results will hopefully support further increases. We will work with the arts agencies and the other agencies that do community programming, to continue to maximize the presence of the arts where it is so desperately needed.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes. I appointed Debra Walker as the representative for District 6. She chaired the task force, has briefed me and has also presented to the Board of Supervisors.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
I support restoration of funds for community art. We need to prioritize the community arts programs that provide benefit directly out in the community. I think we need to look at the Hotel Tax and evaluate the line items, and assess the funding levels, and make firm commitments to cultural experience. Funding our arts organizations, large and small makes sense.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I will support the hearing of the hotel tax issue requested by Ammiano. His office had requested an evaluative look at the hotel tax, and we will look at how the arts community, how the city is being served.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
YES YES YES. We need this to happen yesterday.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I fought to find funding for many organizations in District 6. One example is Bindlestiff, an arts organization serving the Pilipino community for decades. They have been struggling within the redevelopment process, and I helped them reach their goal to create a permanent space. I worked with Ammiano, Mirkarimi and the rest of our budget committee to start restoring funding to Neighborhood Arts. The mayor ‘s budget included no funding increase for the neighborhood arts restoration. We all know that arts and cultural programming empowers people, yet a review of the mapping of grants for the granting awarded by the cities Grants for the Arts” shows a disturbing lack of opportunity in the entire southeast section of our city. This must stop. We must provide this experience across the city. And the way to do that is with a strengthened Neighborhood Arts Program, guided by the Arts Commission staff.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
YES
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
Services for supporting individual artists and supporting and stabilizing organizations are critical. We have a mandate in our master plan to help support and stabilize community artists and organizations. We really need to strengthen and coordinate the arts infra-structure. The idea of a single department for the arts is a really good one that would make it much easier and more efficient to engage. I strongly support better coordination within our arts organization and the arts with the rest of our city family. Every department should be connected with the arts, and the programming should support each others, and together our cities mission.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and Arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
We need leadership. It is difficult to figure out, with the current structure, who exactly is the “Arts”. We need to strengthen the mission of the Arts Commission, activate commissioners and staff to attend other departmental meetings, we need strong leadership in the arts to advocate with our offices, with the mayors office and departments. The lack of leadership from the arts agencies, especially around the mandates in the city’s master plan, is a problem. As supervisors, I have prioritized community arts, the supervisors have supported that. At this point, it is the mayor who should be asking his staff to present a plan to implement the task force report recommendations, and to take leadership in moving the arts forward.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco's artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990." History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own. How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and Arts organizations?
I have worked hard to implement the increase in the affordable housing requirement in all developments. I think we should look at the arts impact fee schema and see if we can expand the program, if it makes sense to find a way to support not only public art in the developments themselves, but also public arts space and public programming. It seems we can do a lot more around the development impact and arts.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
I will support the efforts of Prop H, and support funding increases to community and neighborhood arts programming, continuing to ask other department programs to utilize the arts, especially as it relates to youth, job training, after school programs- and encouraging a continuous partnership between our art agencies and SFUSD in finding new funding sources through directed grants, etc.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated Arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
We need to continue to coordinate together as I said above, all the efforts. Prop H is a great beginning, but we need to focus staff on coordinating these programming efforts out in the neighborhoods. The city and the school district should inventory their buildings/spaces and their programming. We need to ensure access to arts programming across the city, in every neighborhood. Currently, the areas most in need of these programs are horribly underserved.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/Arts organizations to address that issue.
An urgent issue in District 6 is displacement because of the cost of housing. As we make our planning decisions, we need to be looking to our arts organizations to be part of development proposals, as contributing partners. This would offer programming opportunity in affordable housing developments for job training, after school programs, etc while offering artists places to work and live. Funding opportunities rising from partnerships like these would help meet financial challenges of these progressive type solutions.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
Yes
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
To begin, I believe that as an element in the City's General Plan, the Arts Element should be incorporated into our land use and planning decision-making. I am pleased to have sponsored legislation that would help incorporate the Arts Element into our planning for the city's Eastern Neighborhoods. The vision above reinforces my belief that San Francisco's diversity is its strength, and the arts are a fundamental element of this strength. We need to ensure that we support the many expressions of the arts, from big to small, from downtown to the neighborhoods, and across all disciplines and backgrounds.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
I believe that our current city funding for the arts should be increased. To that end, I supported the additional funds in this past year's budget - although I recognize that this funding is not sufficient nor is it true to the commitment that our citizens made to the arts through the Hotel Tax.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
My funding priority for the arts is for neighborhood-based and ethnic arts.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes, while recognizing that we may need to phase in the restoration of this contribution over a number of budgets.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
Barring any budgetary crisis in the city, I would support doubling the funds added back by the Board of Supervisors in the FY 2006-2007 budget.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Yes, I support this recommendation.
I believe that we need to do a better job at bringing the arts to the people, particularly in disadvantaged and marginalized communities.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I would support prioritizing city funds for the arts for this program.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Yes.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
I believe the recommendations related to ensuring housing and studio space affordable to artists is particularly critical in my district; I am proud that District 10 is home to many artists and artists work spaces, and I believe that it is essential to the soul of our city to maintain and expand upon this presence. I also believe that incorporating the arts into the city's economic development program is a great recommendation, both in support of the arts and to provide opportunity to all San Franciscans, a critically important need in my district.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
I think the key is to see the arts in all that we do; artists and arts organizations should be a part of our community outreach on a variety of topics. I believe that we have been successful, for example, in our work to develop the Hunters Point Shipyard and the Blue Greenway. We should build upon these models.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
I believe that our work in the Eastern Neighborhoods is critical to this end, setting aside land for artisit space and art organizations, as well as ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing. In addition, we should utilize tax increment financing in our Redevelopment Areas to provide more affordable housing and artist space. I am proud to have sponsored legislation that requires that 50% of tax increment financing in Redevelopment Areas must be devoted to affordable housing. This helps all of our working-class residents, including artists.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
As a member of the Joint Board of Supervisors/Board of Education Committee, I will work with my colleagues on the School Board to ensure that the plan's implementation is a priority. I will also look to opportunities in the city's budget to provide assistance.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
I believe that we should designate a lead agency, such as DCYF, to facilitate among the various government and non-profit agencies. We cannot separate our work from that of the School District. Children under school supervision become children under the city's supervision after school. We should have a seamless system, and one that builds upon each other's work.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
The most urgent issue in my district, and honestly the city, is the violence that has been an epidemic. The solutions to the problem are not just more police on the streets. We need to look at this from all angles. This is a systemic problem and one that needs a fully comprehensive plan to combat it. I believe that part of the plan should include training in the arts and allowing our young people to have an avenue of expression that doesn’t include using violence. If our youth can take up a passion such as artistic expression, they will be less likely to get involved in gang and criminal activity.
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
Unfortunately, the cost of housing in District 8 is very expensive, and it only becoming more so - and thus the vast majority of my artist friends live outside the district. The artists I know personally who reside in my district include Tim Gaskin, Sean Boyle, Anna Moniuszko, and Viajay, as well as several of the Flaming Lotus Girls.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
I will not only display art by local artists in my office, I would like to hold regular art openings and receptions in my office, similar to those held by Matt Gonzalez and Ross Mirkarimi.
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
The General Plan and the Arts Element of the General Plan are a blueprint for what our city is to become. Change is inevitable and we must prioritize creation of and support for new and creative spaces in which the arts can thrive. As a Deputy City Attorney, I currently negotiate with developers for community benefits for the right to develop. I will bring that experience to the Board of Supervisors and I will write legislation that will aggressively implement the aspects of the General Plan that relate to the arts.
There are several potential sites for infill development in the District, the largest of which is the S&C Ford showroom and garage. I would like to see a home for several of the LGBTQ arts and performing arts organizations as well as a state of the art theater to be a part of such a development.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
The arts have been seriously under-funded (and de-funded!) over the past several budget cycles. This erosion must be reversed. I am completely committed to restoration of Hotel Tax funds to their statutory allocation levels. This will likely take several budget cycles, but I am committed to seeing it happen.
Support of individual artists, Cultural Equity, and GFTA are paramount to rebuilding the arts infrastructure of the City and creating a climate that attracts new and innovative talent to the City.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
The Arts Task Force vision of the future of the arts in San Francisco is one I fully support. I personally plan to prioritize neighborhood and community-serving arts as we return City Arts spending to voter-mandated levels. We should capture the history of San Francisco’s neighborhood through murals, bronzes, statuary and other artistic capital utilizing local artists. Grants and commissions through competitive design competitions for San Francisco based artists will prime the pump of creativity and act as a draw to get artists to return to San Francisco. I would like to see many more temporary art installations all over the city like those we’ve seen at Hayes Green and other artworks placed by the Black Rock Arts Foundation.
I would also like to work on a comprehensive plan to provide affordable workspace to artists. One of the things that the City does well is provide space for its large performing arts institutions and the exhibition based institutions. We need to apply that same principle for artists’ studios, mid and small performing arts and other community-based organizations. I would like to see each district ultimately have at least one Community Arts Center (complementing an expanded Cultural Center program) that houses a variety of disciplines that reflect the nature and character of its immediate environs.
Building community, breaching cultural divides and uniting disparate populations are all possible through robust neighborhood and community-based arts programs. The history and culture of a people are reflected through their arts. Bringing that art to new audiences is an essential element of creating an urban environment that is livable and sustainable.
The arts are not a luxury.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes, and I applaud its results. I appreciate all the effort and time it took to produce a comprehensive look at the state to the City’s funding and administration of the arts.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
Given our recovering revenues, I would chart at least a three-year plan to restore the HTF funding and begin building a base of support to protect the funding stream. Constituencies that advocate for specific spending priorities are the most successful in protecting their budget priorities and the arts should be no different. The Mayor’s Office of Community Development should be tasked with assisting in this effort. The nexus between the arts and economic and community development is undeniable and deserves the City’s full attention.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home.
Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Absolutely.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
Clearly, this is all about funding and fully staffing the agencies responsible for its implementation. I will press for CDBG funds to support staffing so that HTF funds can flow directly to programs.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Yes.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
The prioritization of neighborhood arts to enrich the daily experience of our residents is especially compelling.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
This is a basic function of Community Development. I will work with MOCD to develop programs that will facilitate communication amongst these groups and develop a forum through which these entities can communicate and keep in touch. Modeled on successful business networking enterprises, we can form a sort of “Chamber of Arts Commerce” to facilitate communications and foment collaborative opportunities amongst theses groups.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
I will use my experience in writing legislation and negotiating with developers to incentivize development of this kind of space especially in the mid-market area. The City is losing its artists at a rapid rate, and as a result, the City is becoming a less diverse, less interesting place.
I am committed to building a San Francisco where people of diverse means can afford to live. Many in our community can only afford to live here through affordable housing and first time buyer programs. I will continue to support both innovative and proven programs to preserve our diversity and stop the flight of our middle class, such as community land trusts and limited-equity cooperative housing.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
With the passage of Prop H, the city committed funds for this purpose. The most effective tool a Supervisor has is in applying political pressure through the hearing process to assure the funds are being spent as intended and also to highlight the successes of the program to attract more political, ergo financial, support.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
The Board can and should provide direction to the current Mayoral aide who is liaison to the Board of Education, to make sure that she coordinates arts education opportunities. If necessary, the Board should hold hearing to apply necessary pressure to both the Board of Education and the Mayor’s Office to ensure accountability and to make certain that these programs are prioritized. Too often, arts programs are the first to go when budget cuts happen – I will work hard to prevent this from happening. Arts education programs are not a luxury, but essential to our kids’ education.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
Halloween in the Castro promises to be a mess this year, and it is a great example of how we can use our creative resources to return the event to the safe, sane neighborhood event that it once was. The current plan intends to limit the venues to one stage (down from three), and to end at 10:30pm with the DPW water trucks and elevator music at 11 pm. My opponent has stated that he would like to make this year’s Halloween an unpleasant experience for all participants, so as to discourage attendance in subsequent years.
There is no clearer recipe for disaster. Even the police captain in charge of the event (Cpt. John Goldberg) has stated that an event must provide ample distractions and entertainment to keep the crowd from becoming volatile. If it doesn’t rain, the event will be even more dangerous and less fun than it has been in previous years, and I fear that the neighborhood will be the victim of retribution for making it an improperly managed event.
What is happening to Halloween is emblematic of what is happening to the City – it is becoming a less interesting and less welcoming place – due to a lack of creativity and foresight on behalf of our government officials. Rather than canceling Halloween or making it unpleasant, I envision a Halloween that celebrates the creative character of the Castro neighborhood, discourages gawkers without costumes, and employs proper event management tools. Our arts community has employed such tools in large-scale events all over the City, such as Burning Man’s Decompression, the How Weird Street Faire, the North Beach Jazz Fest, among others. I would love to see several venues for music and performance art, a well-publicized costume contest with good prizes, ending in some sort of spectacle of firearts or an exhibition by Dr. Megavolt (incredible tesla coil demonstration) to provide a specific ending point. Like at Decompression, we could use a lower donation amount and shorter lines for costume wearers, so as to encourage revelry, and discourage gawkers from coming.
The incumbent has failed to use any creative thought or even consider the tremendous innovative energy of the city to approach this problem. Instead, he has simply applied the usual bureaucratic response and announced plans to use the police to shut it down. We can do better.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
I wish there was enough funding to cover all of the artists and theater groups deserving of it. Obviously, the funding needs to be increased. I am very excited about new head of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Joe D'Alessandro from Portland. His commitment to arts and culture is important as part of overall tourism strategy.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
A permanent home for the LGBT Historical Society, a Museum in the Castro is something I've been working on. I've secured funding for a Castro charette, a planning process which will also ensure that cultural centers and activity are part of the planning process for the neighborhood.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I hope to review the budget and ensure the recommendations are fulfilled.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Very Supportive. I'm proud of Arts Master Plan recently unveiled at SFUSD Susan Stauter and School for the Arts. I was one of the first co-sponsors of my colleague Supervisor Ammiano's Prop H which brought 2.2 million in arts funding to public schools, increasing the total amount to 6 million. I am very active in working with School for the Arts and other arts programs at Rooftop, Alvarado and James Lick.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
Please see above.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Yes.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
I'm happy to discuss this issue in person.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
I'd love to coordinate discussions and appearances at meetings between merchant organizations, neighborhood meetings, unions, and artists to discuss these important issues. I believe neighborhood activists and merchants would like to hear of the work artists and arts organizations are doing.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
I was proud to support Supervisor Daly and Supervisor Maxwell's inclusionary housing inititative. I am hopeful that initiatives like this will be helpful to artists needing affordable accommodations. I'd be happy to discuss this issue in person.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
I am proud of this important plan. If re-elected, I hope to serve on the joint SFUSD-Board of Supervisors Committee and this will be one of the top issues for review.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
Please see answer to question 17.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
Right now arts organizations are looking for below market space in the Castro. I am working with particular groups to find that space to make sure there are cultural destinations in the neighborhood.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
My evaluation and commitment to current city funding for the arts, and existing agency is that it is fairly good, however there could be much more funding of money for the arts and their existing agencies. I would do everything within my power to see that there will be more money available for this.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
My priorities for future or increased arts funding are to have a long talk with chat host Mr. Ray Taliafero, who has been on KGO for 35 years, and has also served on the Arts Commission for 30 years. I would seek to set up many fundraisers involving Mr. Bernie Ward, Gene Burns, Ronn Owens, Karel, and othes of the KGO radio and tv team.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes, I am familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force, and the three phases that are mentioned in it.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes, I do supoprt the Arts Task Force’s recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to the arts and tourism. This would be helping the arttists/arts and allow them to have extra revenues as they pursue their goals and achievements.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I would make sure that during our budget committee discussions that I would persuade the budget committee to restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to the arts and tourism fund(s), and convince them that by doing this they are keeping many of the artists right here in San Francisco.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Yes, I would support the Arts Task Force’s recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire city, and to bring aboard individuals that think the same as Mr. Ray Taliafero. And it would not be a bad thing to ask him to come back and assist in this endeavor.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I would appeal to all radio and tv talk show hosts, (as well as the stations) airwaves, and ask for their assistance in making my promise a reality. I would also support other supervisors’ in solving their problems in their perspective districts.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Yes, I agree with the rest of the Arts Task Force’s recommendations that are made pertaining to arttists/arts.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
Yes, I find the Task Force’s recommendations to be particularly valuable to each and every district throughout the commmunity, because it offers inclusion.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
I would also chat with the merchant groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profts, and see if they are willing to display it in at their places of work or businesses. I would even help promote a lot of these activities, if asked to do so.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
I would make sure that affordable housing and studio space for artists wouldl be considered as new constructions were going up. I would even attempt to have someone on the artist/arts on my payroll, even if it meant paying them out of my pocket. If we start losing most of our artists out of the city, we lose on the whole.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
I would help the SFUSD search for grants and fellowships throughtout the 50 states, for them to have the needed money to enable them to have a very successful arttist/arts organization in their shchool(s), as well as throughout the city.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
Being a singer, I see myself working and becoming very close with the artists/arts organizations, getting knowledge from them as well as my good friend Mr. Ray Taliafero that had been an Arts Commisioner for 30 years. I also intend to visit the schools or have the schools visit the Board of Supervisors’ and Board of Education meetings, and the Mayor and let the Mayor and entire Board(s) see all of the talent and potential greatness that are attending their schools here in the city.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
There may be an urgent issue where a certain artists/arts organizations need money to do their shows, and the money is not apparently in the city budget. I would throw a few fundraisers, chat with the businesses, and see if they would come up with some of the monies that were needed, and also try and come up with other creative ways in forms of grants for the artists/arts organization in which to address this problem. Somewhere and some way, the money will have to be found.
2. Describe your current arts activities as a patron, an audience member or worker, etc. What arts events have you participated in recently?
I am artist my self i making videos and i paint you can check my stuff at www.artmasterdesign.com
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
I am very familiar witch art community, and i check occupation Artist and artist will be under my name on ballot.San Francisco in history have on ballot artist, because artist working on very personal issue,they Shane away from politic.i am artist to i have to say by art,but i have to say social situation for the artist and art. send my message to voters is very difficult ,because nature of politic is miss-information, but i have message anothers candidate have nothing to say you have to see one debate and you will be believe me.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
I have full program how to make San Francisco best City for the arts and artist
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
I will be very frankly it is noble idea but it will be stay only on paper after election.San Francisco going in future much more deep to the packet ,and in need to financial another programs ,art will be on sort hands.But there is way witch can artist community and art still prosper even difficult times,but in office have to be person who has talent and understanding situation.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
Every profession have to have base, biggest base more talent you can find, i thing it is necessary to have full funded agencies, and this new age art and artist jumping from one project to another to seem to have nothing common with arts, but because of arts Brant it is art.my politic campaign because of art experience is art to.And there i answer why we need this agencies fully funded.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
San Francisco have many talented people ,they know what to do,just let the speak and hear.you have to elected person who know how it works i know how to put talented people work for arts and artist, and mean that because i am it interest to.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
That is only one revenue,tourist come to the city because of arts and have good time, bat there is many another way and combine them together can bring to the artist and arts and city difference.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I am not in office jet, but my understanding is that ,that many alone can not improve situation,because of habit to spend from the city officials just one way.arts have to be involve many aspect of resolving situation for better,but first they have to understanding that arts are vital part of economy of the city and have to have same rights,to educate, to promote to preserve. and for that is not system jet build.If you elected me i will be try to implemented that system.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
yes
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I will be challenged another supervisor to see arts not just something very light,and used it just in slogans.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
yes
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be
particularly valuable to you and your district?
arts education for the children
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
yes
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990." History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own. How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
It is City not good policy from bisuiness side to negligent arts com unity
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
art is part of vital plan in my recovery program for the district 6 and i s based deeper than say yes or no like board supervisor doing now, you are art-is and so far it not working for you in the city hall, used words like implantation policy and you will be last in system for ever, documents have to write for actions.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children
and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
they do good job
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
San Francisco have long history of artistic movements and social trends , i will be give new grands for art movements in San Francisco
2. Describe your current arts activities as a patron, an audience member or worker, etc. What arts events have you participated in recently?
I drafted legislation sponsored by Supervisor Alioto-Pier and signed by Mayor Newsom that became the first Film and Television incentive program in the state of California. This effort came out of my past work with the Screen Actors Guild and my belief regarding the artistic and economic importance of the film and television industry to a community. Films provide jobs for our writers, artists, painters, sculptors, and crew members, as well as important opportunities for artistic expression. Some recent art events have I attended include the Film Arts Foundation showing of “Orozco – Man of Fire” and last months second Saturday at Root Division for the “It’s only Rock and Roll” photo exhibit and concert.
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
Root Division, Slobodan Dan Piach, Sandra Percival at New Langton Arts. I have had the good fortune to meet with and talk to these organizations and individuals about art and art policy in San Francisco, and where they would like to see the City to go moving forward.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
I commit to do that even if I am not elected, it is part of what makes San Francisco a great place to live. I currently have a wonderful street scene by Veerakeat Tongpaiboon on my wall, as well as a painting by Chloe Short, a recent transplant from England but now an emerging San Francisco artist. I will continue to collect, display and support our local artists and arts community. As for attending art, most of the best work and events on the West Coast happen in District 6, from open studios, to the Opera, to the Symphony, to the Fringe Festival – the District is the place to attend art events in San Francisco.
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
District 6 is where art is made, displayed, bought, sold, and performed. It is home to some of our most prestigious institutions like the symphony, SF MOMO, and the Asian Art Museum, as well as our emerging artists who display their work with the help of innovative organizations like Red Ink Studios, Root Division, and the Fringe Festival. For the Arts community to thrive, we must keep this diversity in San Francisco and in District 6.
I believe one way to ensure that diversity would be to move forward with the mid-Market redevelopment plan. The plan has over $40,000,000 of arts funding and $100,000,000 in affordable housing. These two areas of funding are essential in maintaining a diverse arts community.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
I support moving back to full funding of the arts portion of the hotel tax. As, well I would like to see the City working much more proactively in coordinating our existing resources, either with vacant government or commercial buildings, to promote studio and housing opportunities for artists. London’s Acme studios, as well as our own Red Ink Studios are good model’s that the City should look to promote. I also believe we need to more actively engage and coordinate with the SFUSD to ensure that their current and upcoming arts monies are used in ways that add benefit to our Neighborhood arts centers and local artists are able to become actively involved in their programs.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
I believe we need to restore the Hotel Tax funding for the arts. In addition, we need to create spaces for artist to both live and work in San Francisco. If we create space, both economically and physically for artists, their creativity and work will do the rest.
To ensure that artists can live and thrive in the City and especially in District 6, San Francisco can move forward by:
· Using current City agencies including the Redevelopment Agency, The Mayor's Office of Housing and the Art Commission to retain existing spaces for artists and create new ones.
· Conducting a city-wide survey of artists to measure housing and studio needs.
· Creating a city-wide database of artists who are currently looking for available housing and studio space. This database would provide artists regular updates on available space, homeownership workshops and other relevant information.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes. It is vital that the arts community continue to advise San Francisco City Government to guard our cultural heritage and our artistic future.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully
restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
As stated in the report, restoration of the funding will likely be a multi-year process. However, I will make Arts funding and development a priority. I believe that in the long run, the social and economic benefits of a strong arts community – from cultural education, youth activities and crime reduction, to job creation and increased tourism – are worth that investment.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
I believe we should to more to develop our neighborhood Arts program. Because of new and additional funding, I think the City has a unique opportunity to partner with SFUSD and local community based Arts groups to create more neighborhood and culturally based Arts programs.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I believe working to restore funding from the Hotel Tax as well as working to promote better coordination among existing organizations, departments and agencies, perhaps through an Arts Liaison staff, will help support more Neighborhood Arts Programs.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Generally, I do support the recommendations of the Arts Task Force, in particular regarding the restoration of funding and working to increase the supply of affordable work and housing space for artists.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be
particularly valuable to you and your district?
We must address the availability of artist space in San Francisco because are hemorrhaging our art, our artists and our diversity. We must do more to ensure that we are creating space for artists to work and live in San Francisco and the redevelopment of mid-Market as an Arts district with affordable housing will go along way to help these policy goals.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and Arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
The Taskforce report lays out some very good ideas about how to integrate art into planning, housing and public spaces. I think we need to ensure that Art is always the part of the conversation when we are talking about anything from housing to public safety.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco's artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990." History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own. How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and Arts organizations?
Creating a diversity of housing opportunities is essential to the well-being of our artistic community. Some ways to begin to address our housing problems include: Creating public / private partnerships with Arts community non-profits so we can create exciting cultural districts, affordable studio space and affordable housing opportunities, such as:
- London’s ACME Studios which has created a permanent and sustainable network of affordable, accessible and high-quality studios for artists in London.
- Boston’s Redevelopment Agency which has created an Artist Space Initiative that answered Mayor Thomas Menino's call to create both affordable housing and permanent artist housing.
- The Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia. Located at a place where dilapidated buildings once stood, it is currently the premier entertainment and cultural district in Philadelphia. Avenue of the Arts is home to theaters, the University of the Arts, the Academy of Music and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
To ensure that artists can live and thrive in the City and especially in District 6, San Francisco can move forward by:
· Using current City agencies including the Redevelopment Agency, The Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Art Commission to retain existing spaces for artists and create new ones.
· Conduct a city-wide survey of artists to measure housing and studio needs.
· Create a city-wide database of artists who are currently looking for available housing and studio space. This database would provide artists regular updates on available space, homeownership workshops and other relevant information.
It is time for District 6 to have real leadership when it comes to the Arts Community. A strong voice is needed for artists who want to create, perform, exhibit and live in San Francisco.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
One of the duties of the Board of Supervisors is to provide the funding and accountability needed to give the children of our City the well-rounded education that will not only prepare them for the professional world, but will help them grow as human beings. As Supervisor, I will fight for adequate funding for plans such as the AEMP, and for the necessary oversight to ensure that progress does not take a back seat to politics in our City's school system. As stated earlier, I will also work to make sure that we are coordinating with the School District so we are finding synergies with our existing artists and Neighborhood Art Programs.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated Arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
All of these entities must work together constructively through the budget process to ensure that the City's artistic community is appropriately funded and that the School District's oversight provides useful feedback on how Arts programs can be refined to make them more accessible. An Arts Liaison staff could be very helpful in this regard.
In addition, for things that City funds cannot necessarily accomplish, community involvement can help. I hope to make my office a bridge between a school system in need of assistance from the artistic community and artists who wish to use their talents to broaden our students' horizons.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how
you would work with artists/Arts organizations to address that issue.
We need to provide more opportunities for artists to work and live. Moving forward with the mid-Market redevelopment plan would be a key issue for the district, again creating $100,000,000 in affordable housing and $40,000,000 in arts funding. However, in the interim, we should work to allow vacant buildings to be used on a temporary basis as either gallery spaces or studio space, keeping the buildings active and improving the neighborhood.
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
Yes.
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
San Francisco is an internationally recognized cultural center. It is critical that the City work to maintain this cultural status by promoting the arts.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
I believe that the City should increase its commitment to funding arts programs. Tourists and visitors to San Francisco are essential components of our local economy. One reason that people come to San Francisco is to enjoy the arts. As Supervisor, I will fight to increase city funding for the arts.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
One of my priorities will be to promote arts education programs. It is unacceptable that arts education is not a part of the curriculum in many of our schools. I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that our children learn about the arts and to offer them the opportunity to express themselves through art.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
Yes.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I will support the recommendation.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Yes.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I will fight for increased funding in the budget.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
Yes.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
Yes.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
As Supervisor, I will always have an open door policy. I believe that it is important in the decision making process to receive input from all interested parties. With respect to policies that impact the arts, I will work with artists and art organizations in my district.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
San Francisco must be an artist-friendly city if we are to maintain our diversity and our unique culture. I would support the idea of creating a Mid-Market Arts and Entertainment District, which proposes to provide affordable housing for artists and provide a mecca for artists in the city and in the region.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
I am a strong proponent of arts education in San Francisco schools, and I will work with the SFUSD in finding the necessary funding to guarantee implementation of the plan.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
I believe that it will take a coordinated effort with the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Education, the Mayor’s Office, and the social service sector to increase arts education opportunities for our children. I view myself as a bridge builder and will work to forge a consensus amongst the interested parties in this effort.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
I believe that District 4 needs more neighborhood venues for artists to display their work. This will create more opportunities for the community to enjoy the work of local artists. As Supervisor, I will work with artists/arts organizations to address this issue.
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
My neighbor, painter Judy Gorski, who I have known for years. Art Wave Gallery, a collective of 17 Sunset Distict artists. I attended their current showcase. I have a friend since Lincoln High School, Itzak Volansky, a musician and music writer who lives in the Sunset. Entertainer, Chris Isaac, has a home nearby to mine. Jerry Garcia used to enjoy hanging out in Golden Gate Park and in the Sunset as did Merl Saunders who lived here.
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
I will be happy to do this. I especially enjoy Judy Gorski's Beach Series paintings and will place them prominently on my office walls. Yes, I already visit Canvas Gallery and the Art Wave as well as Open Studio visits.
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
I feel that the peaceful fresh air and inspiring light out here in the Sunset District, especially the inspiration of Ocean Beach, and our multi ethnic population fit in and add to this vision. Also, for over 35 years I have experienced the joy and inspiration that various live music performances in Golden Gate Park have provided for everyone attending. I want new visitors and younger people to experience the variety and special uniqueness of this art as I have.
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
I know these are all good programs but I want to find more sources of funding to keep artists and to provide more ways to pay more artists to enrich our City in the future as the cost of living here is becoming harder for working artists to bear.
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
One priority is to increase funding for the Arts from large businesses in San Francisco. Another is to explore providing more affordable dwelling opportunities for San Francisco artists of all disciplines.
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
I am.
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
Yes, I do now that our local economy is returning. A good thing for all of San Francisco worth funding.
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
I will vote with the other Supervisors to increase the Arts revenue stream and seek private funds.
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
Absolutely, neighborhood arts used to give back so much more and it is time to bring back a contemporary variety of art types to inspire San Franciscans and visitors here in the 21st Century.
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
I will express my intentions to the Board and work to make this happen by inviting artists and art consumers alike to present the case in City Hall and to local media.
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
I scanned the report and do agree with the common sense recommendations and believe that the knowledge and experience of those producing it should give me a lead to follow and to implement the findings. I especially agree with the better coordination and cooperation recommendations between all parties.
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
Yes, specifically the neighborhood arts programs and the coordination of Schools and other arts programs.
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups, neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare non-profits)?
Not only will I invite these groups to experience what the Arts are about here but I will educate them on how Arts Programs and the products from them do impact every other area of our City and the benefits we all gain from them.
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990.” History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
One way to get more of this kind of housing built is to allow incentive like tax credits for developers and builders who will take on these projects. Another is to create special districts allowing for this type of building if it is affordable to artists of limited means. I want to also explore if modular structures or other cost effective building technologies could create dwellings with limited lifetimes to bring costs to build studios down to more affordable levels. Also, legalizing In Law units could create some small studio spaces if appropriate.
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan. As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
This will not be easy with dropping student enrollment. I will use what knowledge I have and am open to new suggestions from anyone as to new fund sources. Also, a dedicated fund to at least keep Art in our schools is in my opinion a necessity. Volunteers from many willing resources must also be put in place to supplement Art education.
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
The B of S must first tell the others that we intend to help lead the way and will support Arts activities in City schools. I will lead that corroboration.
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
A couple of issues come to mind. Our unwelcome graffiti problem along merchant corridors, our gray seawall, and increasing homeless population presence near the Beach and Park. Helped by artists working with youth to provide better expression of painting urges. By a mural project for the Seawall. By using the draw of art and artist personality to connect with some homeless which can lead to trust and eventual exit from the street life. I have other ideas.
Dear Candidate:
You probably already recognize the important role of arts and culture to the quality of life, economic vitality and reputation of San Francisco. On behalf of the City's arts community, Arts Forum invites you to consider how you will demonstrate your commitment and work with individual artists, arts organizations and arts advocates if you are
successful in your campaign.
Please review and complete the attached questionnaire by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6. Feel free to contact us if you would like to be connected to a community-based arts organization in your district, or if you have any
questions for us as well.
Your responses will be circulated to more than 400 Arts Forum members, presented at a public "The Arts Get Political" party at CounterPulse on Sunday, October 8, and distributed to the media with an Arts Forum
press release.
DON'T BE LEFT OUT!
Thank you so much for considering how you will promote and protect the arts community here in San Francisco when you become a District Supervisor. We look forward to receiving your reponses.
1. Have you ever served on the board of an arts agency or organization?
2. Describe your current arts activities as a patron, an audience member or worker, etc. What arts events have you participated in recently?
3. Please list three arts organizations or working artists in your district. Do you know them personally?
4. If elected, will you commit to displaying art created by local artists in your office at City Hall and attend arts events in your district?
5. The City's General Plan spells out a vision for the arts in San Francisco: "San Francisco is nationally and internationally acclaimed as a cultural center where the arts are central to the essence and character of the City. It hosts a flourishing cultural environment in which a profusion of art is created, performed and exhibited in adventuresome, creative and often ground breaking ways. The breadth of artistic achievement in San Francisco encompasses many disciplines, cultures, individuals and organizations of all sizes."
http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp?id=41421
What does that vision specifically mean to you, and your district?
6. What is your evaluation of and commitment to current city funding for the arts, existing agencies and priorities (such as Grants for the Arts and the Arts Commission's Cultural Equity and Individual Artist Commission Programs, etc.)?
7. What are your priorities for future or increased arts funding?
8. Are you familiar with the recent report by the Arts Task Force?
http://sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/sfac/Arts_Task_Force/supporting/2006/SF_ArtsTaskForceReport.pdf
9. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to fully restore the statutory Hotel Tax Fund contributions to arts and tourism?
10. If so, what would you do in next year's budget cycle to fulfill that promise?
11. In past decades, a Neighborhood Arts Program was one of the largest recipients of funds from the City's Grants for the Arts; however, that program has been decimated in recent years, and many neighborhoods have limited access to arts and culture close to home. Do you support the Arts Task Force's recommendations to create a new and substantial Neighborhood Arts Program across the entire City?
12. If so, what would you do, as supervisor, to fulfill that promise?
13. Do you support the rest of the Arts Task Force recommendations?
14. Do you find any of the other Arts Task Force recommendations to be particularly valuable to you and your district?
15. As a supervisor, how will you work with artists and arts
organizations in your district to communicate the value of the work
they do to other community-based constituencies, and to encourage and
facilitate partnerships and alliances (e.g., merchants groups,
neighborhood associations, trade unions, social service and healthcare
non-profits)?
16. The City's General Plan lists artists and artisans as a population in special need of affordable housing policies and programs: "Artists have special housing needs for affordable accommodations that provide large wall space, high ceilings, lofts, lighting, and the ability to work at all hours of the day or night. There is high demand for such flexible space in the city, as many of San Francisco’s artists live in apartment units not suitable for such activities. It was estimated that about 60% of San Francisco artists are lower income households, earning less than $25,500 a year in 1990." History has proven that the housing marketplace will not address these special needs on its own.
How will you work to develop and maintain long-term affordable housing and studio space for individual artists and arts organizations?
17. The SFUSD recently created its first Arts Education Master Plan:
http://portal.sfusd.edu/template/default.cfm?page=initiatives.aemp
As supervisor, how will you help the SFUSD find the resources to guarantee implementation of the plan?
18. How do you see the Board of Supervisors working in concert with the Board of Education, the Mayor's Office and the social service sector to provide expanded, coordinated arts education opportunities for children and youth across the entire city, during school hours and after school?
19. Please give an example of an urgent issue in your district and how you would work with artists/arts organizations to address that issue.
This is a reminder to join members of the San Franciso Arts Community for a meeting in the screening room at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Monday, March 20 from 4 to 6 PM. YBCA is closed to the public on Mondays so please see below for directions to enter via 3rd Street at Mission Street.
Following are the topics we will discuss:
1. The San Francisco Arts Task Force was convened by the Board of Supervisors to "publicly discuss, investigate and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor whether and how to update or restructure the various elements of the City's agencies, programs and policies concerning the arts in San Francisco . . ." The outreach committee of the Task Force will present their Final Report which presents their findings and makes a number of recommendations to City policy makers for action to strengthen and enhance the City's arts infrastructure. This presentation will be followed a discussion and an opportunity for questions, comments, and ideas about next steps in terms of moving things forward. (The Final Report can be downloaded here http://www.sfartscommission.org/programs/arts_task_force.htm and will also be available at our meeting).
2. A discussion about Supervisor Fiona Ma's recommendation that the City appropriate $7,808,000 of Unappropriated General Fund Balance to support City art funding for Fiscal Year 2005-2006. This will include opportunities for questions, comments, and a conversation about how to engage with this proposal at City Hall.
3. Next Arts Forum Meeting.
We hope to see you and that you will forward this invitation on!.
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Directions
For the Arts Forum we will be using the staff entrance at the receiving dock area as YBCA buildings are closed to the public on Mondays.
YBCA
Gallery Forum Building
Staff entrance and receiving dock are located at:
130 Third St @ Mission (across from the St Regis Hotel on the left hand side of 3rd St)
Buzz when you arrive at the single gray door and security will let you in.
Sign in at the visitor check in desk and security will direct you to the 2nd floor to the screening room for the Arts Forum.
Following is an invitation to join major Bay Area funders in a discussion about the value of the local arts community to our larger region. More information on the panel discussion below.
Bay Area Arts: A Panel Discussion
6/15/2005
5:45 PM
SPUR offices
312 Sutter Street, Fifth Floor
A special wine and cheese reception at 5:45pm
Informal address to follow at 6:00pm
SPUR Forums are open to the public.
Leading local arts funders will discuss philanthropy’s strategic investments in the region’s intellectual and creative capital and how the arts community remains a vibrant component of our economic engine. Join Frances Phillips, Walter and Elise Haas Fund; Moy Eng, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; John Orders, James Irvine Foundation; John R. Killacky, San Francisco Foundation; and Kary Schulman, Director of Grants for the Arts in the City.
Posted by:
Brad Erickson
Executive Director
Theatre Bay Area
870 Market St. Suite 375
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 430-1140 x11