Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO

Special Meeting Executive Committee Board of Trustees

February 2, 1998

Call to Order

A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held on Monday, February 2, 1998, in the 6th Floor Conference Room of the Museums’ Administrative Offices at 233 Post Street, San Francisco. The purpose of the special meeting was to consider and possibly adopt a resolution approving the draft 1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. This special meeting replaced the regular meeting of the Executive Committee previously scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 1998, at noon.

A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Chairman. President Goss presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.

Roll Call

Present:

Robert J. Bransten, Vice President/Collections Richard P. Finn Ms. Frankie Jacobs Gillette, Vice President/Civic Affairs Mrs. Richard Goodyear Richard W. Goss II, President David M. Jamison, Vice President/Audience Development William E. Steen, Vice President/Facilities Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Chairman

Excused:

Mrs. Ray Dolby, Vice President/Annual Support Richard P. Essey J. Alec Merriam Steven MacGregor Read Frank Montgomery Woods

Other Trustees in Attendance:

Mrs. Philip E. Bowles III Charles Crocker

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Other Trustees in Attendance (continued):

Mrs. Jerrold L. Kingsley Mrs. Leonard E. Kingsley Leonard E. Kingsley Mrs. Lewis K. Land Mrs. Peter McBean Jay D. McEvoy William A. Stimson Mrs. Charles F. Willis Florence Sue Wong

Report of the Chairman - Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey

A. Report on Recent Development Regarding the de Young Museum

Mrs. Wilsey advised that planning is underway to place an $89.9 million bond measure on the June 2, 1998 San Francisco ballot to rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. The June 1998 ballot will also include an ordinance, which will establish a public benefit authority charged with building a privately funded underground parking facility in the Park and developing feasibility and implementation plans for removal of surface parking, pedestrian zones, the creation of a Park shuttle system linked to downtown San Francisco, improved public transportation to the Park, additional bicycle and skating paths, and extensive landscaping improvements. The Keep the de Young in the Park Coalition has joined in support of the bond measure and the privately financed garage, and has dropped its citizens’ initiative to keep the de Young in the Park.

Civic leader, Warren Hellman, will lead the private fund-raising effort for the garage, which is preliminarily projected to cost approximately $30 million. Mrs. Wilsey explained that for each parking space in the proposed garage, one space will be eliminated from Park surface streets. It was emphasized that passage of both the bond measure and the ordinance to create the garage are essential to the future of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Mrs. Wilsey clarified that the $89.9 million general obligation bond measure will require a two-thirds vote of approval by San Francisco voters, whereas the ordinance to build a privately funded garage requires a simple majority vote to pass. A unified and concerted effort by the Museums, the Keep the de Young in the Park Coalition, and other groups is critical to ensure voter approval of the bond measure and the ordinance. Appreciation was expressed to Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., and Supervisor Michael Yaki, who were instrumental in facilitating these important developments. Chairman Wilsey, President Goss and Director Parker were also congratulated for their efforts with a round of applause. -2229- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Executive Committee - Special Meeting February 2, 1998

B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft 1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

Mr. Parker was called upon to present the draft 1998 Bond Program Report. He noted that the draft Report was reviewed by the City’s Capital Improvement Advisory Committee on January 29th, the first step in the City review and approval process to place the $89.9 million bond measure on the June 2, 1998 ballot. The Report will then require the recommendation of the Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors on February 4, 1998 preparatory to the Board of Supervisors’ approval on February 9, 1998. Ballot measures must be authorized by the Board of Supervisors no later than February 18, 1998.

The 1998 Bond Program Report is very similar to the one approved by the Board of Trustees in 1996 with the exception of three significant changes: 1) a redefined footprint, 2) increased project costs, and 3) removal of the Museum parking garage on the assumption that parking in the Concourse area will be provided.

With regard to the proposed footprint, Mr. Parker noted that the Museum would be shifted slightly to the northeast to allow alignment of the main entry with the center line of the Music Concourse, thereby returning the de Young to its original location. Most importantly, the present Asian Art Museum footprint would be utilized to accommodate future de Young Museum expansion. (The 1996 Bond Program Report returned this area to green space.) The current footprint totals 188,992 square feet and includes the staff parking lot and the west wing footprint occupied by the Asian Art Museum. The 1998 Bond Report does not enlarge this existing footprint even with the proposed future expansion. With the west wing footprint, 118,000 square feet of expansion capability becomes available in the future in addition to the 1998 bond proposal for a new de Young Museum totaling 283,000 square feet. It was pointed out that the present facility area including the west wing is 230,000 gross square feet with the de Young Museum representing 140,000 square feet. Full capacity in the future would total 400,000 square feet without an increase in the existing footprint.

The total project and construction cost to rebuild the de Young Museum on its current site in Golden Gate Park is approximately $134.1 million and includes the proposed public project budget of $89.9 million and $44.2 million in private contributions. Mr. Parker explained that the $89.9 million bond measure addresses the City’s obligation for the mandatory seismic and code enforcement work required for the de Young Museum. Private funds of $44.2 million will be raised to pay all costs that exceed the City’s mandatory seismic and code enforcement work and are expected to fund many site and building enhancements, as well as furniture, fixtures and equipment, display cases and interactive technologies. -2230- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Executive Committee - Special Meeting February 2, 1998

B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft 1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park (continued)

In comparison, the 1996 proposal included $73.3 million in general obligation bonds and $44.1 million in private contributions to fund an underground parking facility for a total cost of $117.4 million. The increase in project cost is largely due to actual construction inflation trends in the Bay Area; two years of additional time until construction begins; increases in architectural, design and engineering fees for highly complex projects; and increases in permits and plan check fees suggested by the Department of Public Works. It was pointed out that the total project costs take into consideration the fact that construction is not expected to commence until at least June 2002.

Mr. Parker then noted that the 1998 Bond Program Report recognizes that the Museums will join and strongly support efforts by the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Recreation and Park Department, and community organizations to develop, fund and implement changes to revitalize Golden Gate Park and ensure access to Park features. The Report assumes that solutions will be found in the near future for providing visitor parking underneath the Concourse area.

In response to a question raised by Trustee Jamison, Mr. Parker referenced page 14 of the Report, which addresses the potential issue of passage of the bond measure and defeat of the ordinance to create a privately funded garage in the Park. He recommended, however, that the last sentence on page 14 be amended to be less specific:

“If for any reason, these solutions cannot be found, funded and [or] implemented in a timely manner, this may have a significant impact on the Museum’s plans to rebuild[the Museum cannot proceed with its plans to rebuild].”*

Additional modifications to the Report, which delete references to staff and volunteer parking were also recommended. These changes appear on pages 3, 21, 22, and 31 and include corresponding changes in square footage on pages 31 and 34 of the Report. It is intended that staff and volunteer parking needs be accommodated in the proposed Golden Gate Park Concourse garage. The Executive Committee agreed to revise the draft 1998 Bond Program Report as recommended.

*Additions in italics; deletions in [ ]

Discussion then ensued regarding a proposed rendering of the rebuilt de Young in Golden Gate Park. The Executive Committee concurred that a rendering was an important element in winning the bond election and emphasized the desirability of having some latitude to explore design possibilities as the project develops. The Committee further recognized that the polls have indicated that San Francisco voters prefer the de Young as it has been in the Park and favor the tradition it has represented for the past 100 years.

Chair Wilsey then introduced the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees at its meeting on January 15, 1998 authorized The Chairman and President of the Board of Trustees and the Director of Museums to meet with public officials and community groups, to expend funds and to take any other steps required to forge a new de Young solution that will lead to a bond initiative in 1998 to rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees does hereby approve the draft 1998 Bond Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park in preparation for a bond initiative to be placed on the June 1998 San Francisco ballot; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chairman and President of the Board of Trustees and the Director of Museums are authorized to continue to confer with city officials and to make such changes to the draft 1998 Bond Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park as they deem necessary.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was no further discussion among the Executive Committee or other Trustees present.

Public testimony was then received from four individuals (summarized):

1. Mrs. J. H. Hume - Suggested that the California Academy of Sciences be represented in the discussions regarding Golden Gate Park. The parking needs of all Park attractions should be addressed.

2. Richard Lanzerotti, M.D. - Discussions among the Board, Coalition, and City officials have been positive and hopefully will result in a parking garage under or near the Concourse. Believes that the bond measure and the ordinance to create a parking garage will win. He expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees and the need for everyone to work together for a successful outcome.

3. Pamela Davis - Stated concern over the Museums’ parking needs for staff and volunteers and felt that this matter should be more explicit in the draft 1998 Bond Report.

4. Tomasita Medál - Expressed thanks to the Board and the staff for the positive developments of recent weeks and committed to working to get the bond measure and garage ordinance passed in June.

Public testimony concluded. There was no further discussion among Trustees. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution 1252.

Mr. Parker noted the proposed timetable on page 42 of the draft 1998 Bond Program Report, which targets architect selection in 1998; the environmental impact report in late 1998 through most of 1999; City agency approvals in the second quarter of 2000; the closure of the de Young Museum and move of the Asian Art Museum from Golden Gate Park in late 2001; construction beginning in 2002; and a new de Young Museum opening in mid 2006.

Mr. Parker, Debbie Frieden, Project Manager, and Patty Lacson, Project Coordinator, were commended for their efforts in expeditiously producing an excellent draft 1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Report of the President - Richard W. Goss II

There was no business to report by the President.

Report of the Director - Harry S. Parker III

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests

Mr. Parker presented the following loan requests:

From: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA

For: Monet in the 20 th Century

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: January 26, 1998 - December 27, 1998

Claude Monet, French 1840-1926 (1960.29 A303291) The Grand Canal, Venice, 1908 oil on canvas, 28 13/16 x 35 5/16 inches Gift of Osgood Hooker

Stipulations: To avoid extensive travel, the painting will go to Boston on long term loan directly from Brooklyn where it was in the exhibition, Monet and the Mediterranean, which just closed. The painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF or MFA courier from Brooklyn to Boston and back to San Francisco. MFA to provide a reciprocal loan to FAMSF for the duration of this loan. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.

From: Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT

For: Pieter de Hooch

Dulwich Picture Gallery, London: September 1998 Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford: CT - December 1998

Pieter de Hooch, Dutch 1629-1684 (61.44.37 A303264) Woman with Children in an Interior, c. 1658-1660 oil on canvas, 26 5/8 x 21 13/16 (65.5 x 53.6 cm) Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation

Stipulations: Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to London and from Hartford back to San Francisco. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests (continued)

From: Fundacio “la Caixa”, Barcelona, Spain

For: Jovellanos, Ministro de Gracia y Justicia

Instituto Jovellanos, Centro Cultural de Gijon: May - June 1998 Fundacio “la Caixa”, Barcelona: June - August 1998

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, Spanish 1746-1828 (61.44.26 A303253) Don Ramon de Posada y Soto, c. 1801 oil on canvas Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation

Stipuations: Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Spain. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.

From: APT International, Inc., Tokyo, Japan

For: Camille Pissarro and the Pissarro Family

Isetan Museum of Art, Tokyo: March 5 - April 7, 1998 Daimaru Museum, Osaka: April 29 - May 11, 1998 Mitsukoshi Museum of Art, Fukuoka: May 20 - June 10, 1998 Mie Prefectural Art Museum: June 23 - July 26, 1998 Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum: August 1 - August 24, 1998

Camille Jacob Pissarro, French 1830 - 1903 (1974.6 A304529) Bouquet of Flowers (Bouquet de Fleurs) oil on canvas, 21 ¼ x 25 ¾ (60.3 x 70.1 cm) Bequest of Marco F. Hellman

Stipulations: Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Japan. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.

A. Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests (continued)

From: United States Army Museum of Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, HI

For: Army’s 100th Anniversary in Hawaii

Centennial Plaza Park, Fort Shafter, HI: March 1, 1998 - March 1, 1003 (5 years, non-renewable long-term loan)

Canon, Prince de Conde (X1950.1) bronze Gift from Major General Shafter to the City of San Francisco

Stipulations: Army to pay for conservation, shipping, drayage to and from Hawaii.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the above loans. There was no discussion among Trustees or members of the public. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to approve the loans subject to the conditions stated.

B. Current and Future Exhibitions

Mr. Parker reported that Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the Harlem Renaissance has generated a good deal of public interest and excitement. Attendance has been strong, particularly on weekends, and the response to Civic Affairs Committee exhibition events has been very active. Trustee Gillette, Vice President and Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee, reported on the very successful Martin Luther King Day celebration on January 19, 1998. The crowds were impressive and lined the front and side of the Legion waiting to view Harlem Renaissance exhibition. Appreciation was extended once again to the sponsors of this event and to the Essey Family Fund and other donors for making this free day at the Legion possible.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel, an exhibition of ancient glass, Ancient Glass from the Holy Land, will be on display at the de Young Museum from April 25 through August 23, 1998.

Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Executive Committee on items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, including all matters pertaining to the subsequent closed session. Speakers may address the Executive Committee for up to -2236- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Executive Committee - Special Meeting February 2, 1998

Public Comment (continued) three minutes; the President or the Executive Committee may limit the total comment to thirty minutes. The following speaker gave public comment (summarized):

Marion Hinman - Encouraged all to attend Bouquets to Art at the Legion of Honor from March 16-20, 1998.

There was no further public comment.

Adjournment - Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Chairman

There being no further business, Chairman Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Gough Executive Secretary Museums

Note: These minutes set forth all actions taken up by the Executive Committee on matters stated, but not necessarily in the order in which the matters were considered.

Immediately following this meeting, the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums held a meeting of its Executive Committee.

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