Full Arts Commission Meeting (May 4, 2026)

1. Call to order
2. Roll call / Confirmation of quorum
3. Agenda Changes
4. Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgement

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

Discussion and possible action

Discussion and possible action to approve April 06, 2026, Draft Minutes

Presentation Time: Approximately 5 minutes

Explanatory Document: April 06, 2026, Draft Minutes

Discussion

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

1) Visual Arts Committee – Suzie Ferras, Chair

1. Visual Arts Committee Report
   Discussion
   

Presentation Time: Approximately 10 minutes

Report from the Visual Arts Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.

2) Community Investment Committee – Debra Walker, Chair

1. Community Investment Committee Report
   Discussion
   

Presentation Time: Approximately 10 minutes

Report from the Community Investment Committee regarding activities of the Committee and the Program.

Discussion

Presentation from the Cultural Center highlighting key strengths, current challenges, and future opportunities. The discussion will provide an overview of programs, community impact, and areas for potential growth and support.

Staff Presenter: Theo Ellington, Executive Director

Presentation time: Approximately 10 minutes

1) Motion to approve the April 15, 2026, Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes.

Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (April 15, 2026, link to agenda)
Action

2) Motion to approve the final Construction Documents deliverables for "Those Who Carry Water," an architecturally integrated glass artwork by Walter Kitundu (Kitundu LLC), for the SFPUC Water Division Campus (formerly San Francisco Water Department at 2000 Marin), located at 2000 Marin Street in the Bayview neighborhood.

3) Motion to approve the final Construction Documents deliverables for "Joy Personified," a series of 7 figurative, human-scaled sculptures, by Kristine Mays for SF Recreation and Park’s India Basin Waterfront Park Project, located at Hunters Point Blvd. and Hawes St.

4) Motion to approve “Looking Back/Looking Forward," a mural design by Olivia Perry. The mural will be painted on the SFMTA Utility Box on the southeast corner of Gough and Turk Street, measuring H75 in. by W36 in. by D17 in. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by the Millennium School.

5) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "An Attempted Murder," 2016 by Jack Champion, a pair of two sculptures that measure approximately H6 ft. by W3 ft. by L12 ft., fabricated from bronze and steel, located at Ashbury Street and Oak Street in The Panhandle. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

6) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "Seed of Self," 2023 by Kate Raudenbush, that measures H7 ft. by W7 ft. by L7.1 ft., fabricated from brass and steel, located at the west entrance of The Panhandle by Oak Street and Fell Street. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

7) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "V le B," 2025 by Valeria Theberge, that measures H10 ft. by W3.5 ft. fabricated from foam, fiberglass, mortar, grout, glass and steel, located at the Lake Merced Meadow. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

8) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "Penny the Goose," 2015 by Lisa & Robert Ferguson, that measures H16 ft. by W19 ft. by D4 ft. fabricated from steel, concrete, pennies and epoxy, located at the Lake Merced Boulevard Parking Lot. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

9) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "Launch Intention," 2020 by Griffin Loop, that measures H10 ft. by W14 ft. by L25 ft. fabricated from stainless steel, located at Marina Green. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

10) Motion to approve the temporary installation of "The Pushers," 2021 by George Mubanga, two sculptures that measure H6.5 ft. by W5 ft. by L16 ft. fabricated from steel and reclaimed and recycled material, located at McLaren Park Overlook near Wilde Overlook Tower Lawn. The artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The artwork will be maintained by Big Art Loop, and will be installed for a period of one year, from date of installation.

11) Motion to approve the installation of the following artworks at Buchanan Street Mall, which will not become part of the Civic Art Collection and will be owned and maintained by San Francisco Recreation and Park Department:

• Lewis Watts, "Healing & Remembrance," 2026, Digital print on aluminum, 24 total panels, H73 in. by W45 in., Buchanan Street Mall between Grove Street and Fulton Street, and Buchanan Street Mall between Eddy Street and Turk Street
• CamishaFatimah Gentry, "Healing & Remembrance," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 8 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street between Grove Street and Fulton Street, and Buchanan between Eddy Street and Turk Street
• D’Wana Stewart, "Local Artists & Performers," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 4 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between Fulton Street and McAllister Street
• D’Wana Stewart, Local Heroes & Cultural Icons, 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 4 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between Golden Gate Avenue and Turk Street
• Michael Reed Sr., "Local Artists & Performers," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 4 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street between Fulton Street and McAllister Street
• Michael Reed, Sr., "Local Heroes & Cultural Icons," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 4 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between Golden Gate Avenue and Turk Street
• Cliffton Hyson, "Togetherness: by Cliffton," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 2 total panels, H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Golden Gate Avenue
• Aniyah Keith, "Togetherness: by Aniyah," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 2 total panels H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Golden Gate Avenue
• Queen Sheppard, "Togetherness: by Queen," 2026, 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 2 total panels H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Golden Gate Avenue
• Dyavena Sumler, "Togetherness: by Day," 2026, Metal paint on aluminum, 2 total panels H48 in. by W18in., Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Golden Gate Avenue
• Malik Seneferu, "Togetherness," 2026, Waterjet cut aluminum, 12 panels total (front and back), H73 in., by W45 in., Buchanan Street Mall between McAllister Street and Golden Gate Avenue.
  
  

12) Motion to approve the Project Plan for the Harvey Milk Plaza Improvements Project Public Art Project.

13) Motion to approve the to approve the final fence design for the 11th and Natoma Park (“Rachele Sullivan Park”) Public Art Project.

Community Investments Committee Recommendations (April 28, 2026, link to agenda)
Action

14) Motion to approve the funding recommendations of the Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG) panel, to award two grants totaling $200,000 to the following individuals, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements not to exceed the following at this time:

1. Madeleine Lim, $100,000
2. Michael Jang, $100,000*
   (* indicates new grantee)
   

15) Motion to approve the funding recommendations of the Arts Impact Endowment Artist Panels for all three funding channels: Channel 1 - Sustaining Ongoing Initiatives – General Support 1: Ongoing Work, Channel 2 - Resilience & Growth – General Support 2: Growth & Planning, and Channel 3 - New Creative Opportunities – Project Support; to award fifty-nine (59) grants totaling $2,895,268, in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Cultural Services Allocation Plan; and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each individual or their fiscal sponsor for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

1. Alleluia Panis, $50,000
2. Amal Bisharat, $50,000
3. Amihan, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Filipino-American Development Foundation)
4. Amy Grace Lam, $50,000
5. Andrea Nicolette Gonzales, $50,000
6. Anita W. Chang, $50,000
7. Anne Bluethenthal, $50,000
8. Anthony Jimenez, $50,000
9. Ari Salim Marcus, $50,000*
10. Ariel Mihic, $50,000
11. Benni Baker, $50,000*
12. Betsy Tsai, $46,310*
13. Cesar Cadabes, $50,000
14. Cheryl P. Derricotte, $50,000
15. Christina Li, $50,000*
16. Cia Lu, $41,030
17. Claudia Andrea Escobar, $50,000
18. Cornelius O, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Counterpulse)
19. David Tim, $37,000*
20. Gina Mariko, $50,000*
21. Idris Ackamoor, $50,000
22. Javier Roberto Carlos, $50,000
23. Joanne Kreiter, $50,000
24. John Walter Calloway, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Kulintang Arts, Inc.)
25. Joshua Chuck, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Community Youth Center of San Francisco)
26. Jubilee, $50,000*
27. Kathryn Vercillo, $50,000*
28. Keli Dailey, $50,000
29. Lena Lee, $50,000*
30. Leticia Hernández-Linares, $50,000
31. Lyam J Bewry, $39,000*
32. M Eilo, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts)
33. Marcella Elizabeth Sanchez, $50,000
34. Maria Silk, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Jess CurtisGravity Inc.)
35. Mattie Loyce, $50,000*
36. Maya Cameron-Gordon, $43,425*
37. Maya Fuji, $50,000
38. Nina Limón, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts &
    Media)
39. Parya Saberi, $50,000
40. Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen, $50,000*
41. Richard A. Mosqueda, $50,000*
42. Roisin Isner, $47,853*
43. Rose Damato, $44,400*
44. Samantha Berlanga, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Bay Area Video Coalition Inc.)
45. SAMI SEE, $50,000
46. Samina Ali, $50,000*
47. Shawna Virago, $50,000
48. Shrey Purohit, $50,000*
49. Snik, $50,000*
50. Stephanie Ann Sherman, $50,000
51. Susannah H Smith, $50,000
52. Takeshi Moro, $50,000
53. Tania Santiago, $50,000
54. Taraneh Hemami, $50,000
55. Therese Davis, $50,000
56. Virgie Tovar, $46,250
57. Wailana Simcock, $50,000*
58. William Underwood III, $50,000
59. Xahej, $50,000*
    

(* indicates new grantee)

16) Motion to approve the funding recommendations of the Arts Impact Endowment Organization Panels for all three funding channels: Channel 1 - Sustaining Ongoing Initiatives – General Support 1: Ongoing Work, Channel 2 - Resilience & Growth – General Support 2: Growth & Planning, and Channel 3 - New Creative Opportunities – Project Support; to award forty-nine (49) grants totaling $4,225,000, in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Cultural Services Allocation Plan; and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into grant agreements with each organization or their fiscal sponsor for amounts not to exceed the following at this time:

1. Arenas Dance Company, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers Group)
2. Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts)
3. Artspan, $100,000
4. Asian American Women Artists Association Inc., $100,000
5. Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology, $100,000
6. Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media)
7. BIPOC Acro Collective Care Ecosystem, $75,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media)
8. Black & White Projects, $75,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media)
9. Bridge Live Arts, $100,000
10. Canyon Cinema Foundation, $100,000*
11. Chinese Historical Society of America, $50,000
12. Counterpulse, $100,000
13. Crowded Fire Theater Company, $100,000
14. Detour Productions, $100,000
15. Diamond Wave, $75,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media)
16. Duniya Dance and Drum Company, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers Group)
17. Emerging Arts Professionals San Francisco Bay Area, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Arts & Media)
18. Eugenie Chan Theater Projects, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts)
19. Femme Rage, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: The African American Art and Culture Complex)
20. Filmmakers Collaborative Inc., $100,000*
21. Friends of Scrap, Inc., $100,000
22. Honey Art Studio, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Independent Art & Media)
23. Intersection for the Arts, $100,000
24. jhn//hands&feet, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center)
25. Lyrical Opposition, $100,000
26. Manilatown Heritage Foundation, $100,000
27. Movement, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts)
28. NA Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu Hula Halau, $100,000
29. NAKA Dance Theater, $100,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Dancers Group)
30. Nava Dance Theatre, $50,000
31. OX, $50,000 (Fiscal Sponsor: Counterpulse)
32. Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, $100,000
33. Rawdance, $100,000
34. San Francisco African American Arts and Cultural District, $100,000*
35. San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, $100,000
36. San Francisco Children's Art Center, $100,000
37. San Francisco Creative Writing Institute, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Counterpulse)
38. San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center, $100,000*
39. San Francisco International Arts Festival, Inc., $100,000
40. Sew Productions, Inc., $50,000
41. Shipyard Trust for the Arts, $100,000
42. Tableau Stations, $50,000* (Fiscal Sponsor: Intersection for the Arts)
43. The Great Star Theater, $100,000*
44. Una Inc., $100,000*
45. Voice of Witness, $50,000
46. Womens Audio Mission, $100,000
47. World Arts West, $100,000
48. Writers Grotto, $100,000*
49. Yerba Buena Arts and Events, $100,000
    

(* indicates new grantee)

17) Motion to approve a novation agreement for grant 23SPX08 between the San Francisco Arts Commission, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA), and San Francisco Study Center Inc. (SF Study Center), whereby SF Study Center would agree to assume grant 23SPX08 related to the preparation and planning for storage of MCCLA’s archives and to serve as fiscal sponsor to MCCLA; grant 23SPX08 has $85,000 remaining in grant funds; original grant amount was $340,000.

18) Motion to approve a novation agreement for grant 24SPX07 between the San Francisco Arts Commission, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA), and San Francisco Study Center Inc. (SF Study Center), whereby SF Study Center would agree to assume grant 24SPX07 related to the relocation and storage of MCCLA’s archives and to serve as fiscal sponsor to MCCLA; grant 24SPX07 has $37,500 remaining in grant funds; original grant amount was $150,000.

(This item is to allow the Commissioners to introduce without discussion new agenda items for consideration, to report on recent arts activities and to make announcements in accordance with Prop D.)

Action