I.

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

• The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Thursday, October 23, 2008, in the Piazzoni Murals Room of the de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  A quorum was present, that being one-third of the number of Trustees in office.  President Wilsey called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.
  
  President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.

II.

Calling of the Roll

The following Trustees were present:

Edward D. Baker III
Kermit H. Boston
Carol W. Casey
Marion Moore Cope, Vice President for Annual Support
Belva Davis, Vice President
Denise B. Fitch
Harrison S. Fraker, Jr.
Karen B. Francois
Lauren Hall
Kathryn Lasater
Lawrence B. Low
Monica Maduro, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development
Marianne H. Peterson
Jeanne Robertson
Arlene Schnitzer
Jeana Toney
Lonna Wais
Robert T. Wall
Diane B. Wilsey, President
Lisa Zanze

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

Adolphus Andrews, Jr.
Roger Barnett
Shelby W. Bonnie
Iris S. Chan
David H. S. Chung
Barnaby Conrad III
Penny Coulter
Molly Murphy Crowley
Juliet de Baubigny
John A. Friede
Elise Friedman
Carlos A. Garcia
Frankie Jacobs Gillette
Gretchen Kimball
Janet W. Lamkin
David Lamond
Nancy McFadden
Carl Pascarella
Michael H. Podell
Venetta S. Rohal
Lisa M. Sardegna
Randolph R. Scott
Susan S. Swartz
Jim Tananbaum
Trevor D. Traina
David Winton

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

Mayor Gavin Newsom
Lawrence Martin, President, Recreation and Park Commission

Other Trustees in attendance were:

Cheryl H. Bancroft
Richard W. Goss II
George Hecksher
J. Burgess Jamieson
Stephanie MacColl
Florence Sue Wong

III.

Closed Session for Conference with Legal Counsel for Existing Litigation

President Wilsey advised that this closed session item concerns existing litigation involving Robert Friede and Thomas Jaffe, brothers of John Friede, and pertains to their alleged interest in certain collateral owned by Marcia and John Friede.

President Wilsey welcomed Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis, who were present to discuss the existing litigation as it relates to the Museums.

A. Public Comment on All Matters Pertaining to the Closed Session

President Wilsey stated that public comment would be taken at this time on matters pertaining to the closed session before the Board of Trustees votes to convene in closed session.

B. Vote on Whether to Hold Closed Session to Confer with Legal Counsel [San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(d)]

A motion to convene in closed session was made and seconded.  There was no discussion among Trustees or members of the public.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to convene in closed session.  Members of the public and all staff, with the exception of John Buchanan, Robert Futernick, and Judy Gough, were excused from the Piazzoni Murals Room.

C. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(d)

Conference with Legal Counsel on Existing Litigation as Plaintiff - Deputy City Attorneys Adine Varah and Donald Margolis

1. City and County of San Francisco (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco) vs. Thomas Jaffe, Robert Friede, et. al. (Civil Case No.:  08-479905)

President Wilsey called the closed session to order and introduced Deputy City Attorney Adine Varah and Deputy City Attorney Donald Margolis of the City Attorney's Litigation Division, who reported on the existing litigation.

D. Reconvene in Open Session

1. Possible Report on Action Taken in Closed Session [Government Code Section 54957.1(a)(2) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(b)(2)]

President Wilsey reconvened the meeting in open session and reported that an action was taken by the Board of Trustees during the closed session.  There was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public comment.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously not to disclose the action taken in closed session.

2. Vote to Elect Whether to Disclose Any or All Discussions Held in Closed Session [San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a)]

A motion was made and duly seconded not to disclose any or all discussion held in the closed session.  There was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public comment.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously not to disclose any of the discussion held in closed session.

President Wilsey noted that the closed session was concluded, and the regular business before the Board of Trustees was then addressed.

IV.

Report of the President – Diane B. Wilsey

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the September 11, 2008 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees

There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the minutes of the September 11, 2008 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved. 

B. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Report of the September 17, 2008 Meeting of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation – George Hecksher, Vice President for Collections, and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation

Chair Hecksher provided the report of the September 17, 2008 meeting of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation. 

1. Purchases

Chair Hecksher advised that the Acquisitions Committee recommended two works of art for purchase approval as listed on page 1 of Appendix I of these minutes.  At his request, Kathleen Berrin, Curator of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, presented a major African sculpture for purchase approval:  Ekpu Ancestor Figure, 19^th century, Oron peoples, Cross River Region, Calabar Province, south-eastern Nigeria.  This masterpiece, on view at the meeting, is a rare and important object, and its acquisition would give the Museums an important opportunity to join the few museums that have acquired Oron figures.  Trustee and Acquisitions Committee member Robert Wall found this fragmentary, figurative sculpture last spring in Germany, and brought it to the Museums’ attention.  Chair Hecksher acknowledged Mr. Wall’s special efforts and expertise, which were instrumental to the acquisition of this object. 

2. Gift of the Loran Family Collection (259 Objects)

Ms. Berrin then discussed the proposed gift and bequest of a major collection to the Fine Arts Museums.  She noted that Erle Loran (1905-1999) was a distinguished Bay Area artist, collector, and scholar.  He achieved wide recognition and a national reputation for his innovation as a painter, influence as a scholar-critic, and acclaimed collector of African Art.  For more than thirty years, the de Young Museum has displayed African masterworks from the notable Loran Collection.  At this time, his wife wishes to gift the Collection to the Museums and to fulfill her late husband’s wishes to bequeath the 259 objects to FAMSF.  Poster-sized images of two major artworks in the Collection, which are currently displayed in the African gallery at the de Young Museum, were reviewed.
 
The 259 objects comprising the Erle Loran Family Collection are listed on pages 2 to 2.23 of Appendix I of these minutes.

3. Other Gifts

John E. Buchanan, Jr., Director of Museums, then introduced Jim Ganz, Curator of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, effective June 1, 2008.  He comes to FAMSF from the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute in Williamstown, MA, where he was Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs for 12 years.

Mr. Ganz presented The Death of Saul, mid-18^th century, by Domenico Fratta (Italian, 1696-1752-53), 1 of 5 very fine drawings bequeathed to the Museums by an avid New York collector of old master drawings.  In his estate planning, the donor made arrangements to distribute his collection to approximately 20 American museums. 

Karin Breuer, Curator in Charge of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, presented two significant works on paper from a Trustee and his wife:  1) Tom Mooney and Mayor Walker, ca. 1932-1933, by Ben Shahn (American, 1898-1969), which is 1 of 15 gouaches depicting the legal case involving a California labor organizer, Tom Mooney, and his defense by the then Mayor of New York, Jimmy Walker; and, 2) Near Colorado Springs, 1941, by Yasuo Kuniyoshi (American, 1890-1953).  This landscape is the first casein on paper by Kuniyoshi to enter the collection. 

Chair Hecksher particularly noted the gift of artist Edward Ruscha of 12 of his artworks to be added to his Archive.  The Museums are privileged to hold the Edward Ruscha Graphic Arts Archive.  In addition, the Museums received a gift of 71 African beadwork objects from eleven different African societies.  This African beadwork gift represents the third component of the donor’s collection and was preceded by several other gifts of his collections.   

Chair Hecksher expressed sincere appreciation to all the donors.  The gifts offered to the Fine Arts Museums by the Fine Arts Museums Foundation are listed on pages 3 through 6 of Appendix I of these minutes.

4. Funded Purchases

The funded purchases listed on page 7 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended bo the Board of Trustees for purchase approval.

5. First Step Deaccessioning

The artworks listed on page 8 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended by the Acquisitions Committee for first step deaccessioning, including 56 objects of European Decorative Arts sculpture, 47 European Decorative Arts objects, 2 objects of Orientation Decorative Arts, and 28 duplicate prints and books (Prints and Drawings).

6. Second Step Deaccessioning

The artworks listed on page 9 of Appendix I of these minutes were recommended by the Acquisitions Committee for second step deaccessioning, including 2 European Decorative Arts objects, 183 Jade objects (Oriental Decorative Arts), and 17 works on paper (Prints and Drawings).

President Wilsey read the following resolution:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the appended September 17, 2008 report of the Acquisitions Committee of the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, including approving the works of art acquired through purchase and donation as gifts to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco from the Fine Arts Museums Foundation, and approving first and second step deaccessioning.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no further discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1653.

V.

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

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve a Request for a Loan of Art

Mr. Buchanan presented the following request for a loan of art:

From:The Hyde Collection Art Museum, Glens Falls, NY

For: Degas and Music
The Hyde Collection Art Museum, Glens Falls, NY:  7/12/09 – 10/18/09

Edgar Degas (French, 1834-1917)
Musicians in the Orchestra (Portrait of Desire Dihau), ca. 1870
Oil on canvas, 19 ¼ x 23 ½ (48.9 x 59.7 cm)
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum purchase, Mildred Anna Williams Collection
1952.69

Stipulations: The painting must be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to Glens Falls and return to San Francisco.  All related expenses will be paid by the requesting organization. 

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

B. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Approving the Operating Hours for the Special Exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs, de Young Museum, June 27, 2009 through March 28, 2010

Mr. Buchanan advised that the special exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs, which will be on view at the de Young Museum from June 27, 2009 through March 28, 2010, will involve expanded operating hours.  He reviewed the following resolution setting forth the operating hours for the duration of the Tut exhibition:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby approve the following operating hours for the special exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs, including such ancillary visitor services to be determined at the discretion of the Director of Museums, at the de Young Museum, from June 27, 2009 through March 28, 2010:

Summer Hours - June 27, 2009 - September 30, 2009:

7 days a week (Monday - Sunday, inclusive), 9:00 am – 9:00 p.m.* (*7:30 - 8:00 p.m. is last entrance time-slot, with the Exhibition closing no later than 9:00 p.m.)

Summer cleaning and maintenance days (Museum closed):  July 13, 2009; August 3, 2009; and August 31, 2009.  

Fall/Winter Hours - October 1, 2009 - March 28, 2010:

6 days a week:  Tuesday - Sunday - 9:00 am - 6:30 p.m.**
(**5:00 - 5:30 p.m. is last entrance time-slot, with the Exhibition closing no later than 6:30 p.m.)

School Group Mondays:

  9:00 – 3:30 p.m.*** (***2:00 - 2:30 p.m. is the last entrance time-slot, with the Exhibition closing no later than 3:30 p.m.) (Mondays are reserved exclusively for school, youth and education-related groups.)

Fall/winter cleaning and maintenance days:  Mondays after 3:30 pm.

In response to a question raised by President Wilsey, Mr. Buchanan noted that the admission ticket prices will be released when the tickets are available for sale at the beginning of 2009 and after the Museums' members have been notified.  President Wilsey emphasized the importance of providing Trustees with this information in a timely and accurate manner.  In addition, Ms. Varah addressed a technical revision to the resolution statement deleting references to the de Young store and cafe as examples of ancillary visitor services and substituting the wording, "to be determined at the discretion of the Director of Museums."  She read the corrected introductory paragraph of the resolution as stated above.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no further discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1654.

C. Presentation of the Annual Report on the Education Programs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 - Sheila Pressley, Director of Education

Mr. Buchanan extended praise and appreciation to Sheila Pressley, Director of Education, and her staff for their efforts in planning and organizing the extraordinarily high quality programs the Museums offer to the public.  He introduced Ms. Pressley, who presented the appended Annual Report on the Education Programs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008. 

Ms. Pressley provided an overview of the education program, comprised of 26 different programs serving the Museums’ visitors ranging from 3 ½ years of age to senior citizens.  The 273,406 Education Department visitors, including 58,000 students K-12, served during the 2007-08 fiscal year represent an increase of more than 20,000 from the prior year.  Ms. Pressley extended appreciation to the nine staff members in the Education Department; 179 volunteer docents, who provided almost 54,000 docent-led tours; 15 contract teachers; 37 college interns; and 72 high school Museum Ambassadors for their significant contributions to the Education Department and the Fine Arts Museums.  She also thanked the Development Department for their invaluable assistance in raising over $1 million in support of the education programs.

The school programs are important for numerous reasons and represent the most effective way to reach children, who are not otherwise afforded the opportunity to visit the Museums.  These programs include the Museum Ambassadors (high school students), the annual Young at Art festival, and advanced placement art history classes.

Renee Baldocchi, Director of Public Programs, was recognized for her outstanding efforts in organizing Friday Nights at the de Young as an educational venue appropriate for visitors of all ages. Friday Nights at the de Young and the Artist's Studio experienced the greatest growth this past year and were the recipients of The James Irvine Foundation's Artistic Innovation Fund Award and The Wallace Foundation's Excellence Award.  In addition to these highly competitive awards, in 2007 Friday Nights at the de Young was named "Best of the Bay", 7 x 7 magazine; the "Best First Date" by SF Weekly; and "Best Late Night at a Museum (Best of the Bay Readers Poll," San Francisco magazine.

In addition to increasing the audience numbers, the Museums seek to widen the ethnic and age diversity of their visitors.  This has been accomplished through 1) commissions with local artists to create new works, both visual and performance, such as the creation of original compositions by 8 local jazz ensembles inspired by works in the permanent condition; and 2) work with community advisory groups to enhance the understanding of and appreciation for the art on display in the permanent and temporary exhibition galleries. This past year both Native American and Asian American advisory committees were instrumental in establishing programs, including a night of contemporary Native American poetry reading in the galleries, a panel discussion on mixed race, and a residency sponsored by the Asian American Women's Art Association.

At the request of Mr. Buchanan, Ms. Pressley reviewed this week's events associated with the opening of the Maya Lin:  Systematic Landscapes and Asian American Modern Art exhibitions at the de Young Museum.  President Wilsey noted that these activities include a joint reception at the de Young Museum involving the California Academy of Sciences and the San Francisco Arts Commission tomorrow evening.  Trustees were encouraged to attend this reception honoring Maya Lin, who was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission to create a sculpture honoring the opening of the Academy.
 
Ms. Pressley concluded her remarks by thanking Director Buchanan and the Board of Trustees for their ongoing support of the Museums’ education programs.

D. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging Funding Expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums During the Period April 1 through June 30, 2008

The city’s Sunshine Ordinance requires the Fine Arts Museums to disclose the amount and source of all gifts received.  Mr. Buchanan presented the following resolution, which acknowledges funding expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for the period April 1 through June 30, 2008:

WHEREAS, The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that exists to support the activities of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge with gratitude funding in the amount of $10,069,634 expended by the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums for operations during the period April 1 through June 30, 2008.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1655.

E. Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Acknowledging that No Bequests of Funds Were Received During the Period April 1 through June 30, 2008

In accordance with the city’s Sunshine Ordinance, bequests received by the Fine Arts Museums must also be disclosed.  Mr. Buchanan introduced the following resolution acknowledging that no bequest of funds were received by the Museums during the period April 1 through June 30, 2008:

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco does hereby acknowledge that no bequests of funds were received during the period April 1 through June 30, 2008.

On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among Trustees.  There was no public testimony.  The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1656.

VI.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Board of Trustees on items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  Speakers may address the Board for up to three minutes; the President or the Board of Trustees may limit total comments to thirty minutes.  There was no public comment.

VII.

Meeting Schedule, Future Events, and Current and Future Exhibits

A. 2009 Board of Trustees Meetings

B. 2008 Executive Committee Meetings

2009 Executive Committee Meetings

D. Future Events

E. Current and Future Exhibitions[1]

Legion of Honor - Major Special Exhibitions

de Young Museum -  Major Special Exhibitions

VIII.

Adjournment – Diane B. Wilsey, President

There being no further business, President Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Gough
Executive Secretary

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

* Exhibitions organized by FAMSF