FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Board of Trustees
Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
Call to Order
A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was held
on Thursday, October 15, 1998, in Gallery 23 of the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, Golden
Gate Park, San Francisco. Because of the change in time for this meeting from 3:00 p.m. to noon, the
meeting was noticed as a special meeting of the Board of Trustees. Chairman Goss thanked those
present for accommodating this change in time necessitated by the funeral service for Gorham B.
Knowles, spouse of Trustee Diana Knowles.
A quorum was present that being one-third of the number of Trustees in office. The meeting was
called to order at 12:15 p.m. by Richard W. Goss II, Chairman.
Roll Call
The following Trustees were present:
Alvin H. Baum, Jr.
Alix Phillips Becker
George McNear Bowles
Mrs. Barbara B. Carleton
Richard P. Essey
Richard H. Finn, Vice President/Finance
Morgan Flagg
Ms. Frankie Jacobs Gillette, Vice President/Civic Affairs
Richard W. Goss II, Chairman
Beverly James
J. Burgess Jamieson
Diane B. Lloyd-Butler
Mrs. Peter McBean
J. Alec Merriam, Vice President/Collections
Lorna F. Meyer
Steven MacGregor Read, Vice President/Facilities
William E. Steen
Burl A. Toler, Sr.
Sidney R. Unobskey
Mrs. Charles F. Willis
Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, President
Frank Montgomery Woods
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
Roll Call (continued)
On motion, duly seconded and carried unanimously, the following Trustees were excused:
Del M. Anderson
Mrs. Philip E. Bowles III
Belva Davis
Mrs. Ray Dolby, Vice President/Annual Support
Mrs. Lynn C. Fritz
Richard N. Goldman
Mrs. Richard Goodyear
Mrs. Nancy Hamon
David R. Hoyer
David M. Jamison, Vice President/Audience Development
Ann L. Johnson, M.D.
Stephen L. Johnson
Nion McEvoy
Michael W. Michelson
Josie Mooney
Waldemar Rojas
Dolores G. Terrazas
Carlos Pedro Villa
Marshall I. Wais, Sr.
Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel
The following ex-officio Trustees were unable to be present:
Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Reverend Yvette Flunder, President, Recreation and Park Commission
Other Trustees in attendance were:
Ruth Asawa
Mrs. June Goethe Craycroft
Mrs. John V. Erickson
George Hopper Fitch
Mrs. Francis A. Martin, Jr.
Jay D. McEvoy
Mrs. Lewis K. Land
Mrs. J. Alec Merriam
Mrs. Paul L. Wattis
Florence Sue Wong
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
President Wilsey presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.
Report of the Chairman - Richard W. Goss II
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Report of the Acquisitions
Committee of September 23, 1998 - J. Alec Merriam, Chair and Vice President
of Collections
Chair Merriam presented the following report:
1.
Purchases - Request to The Fine Arts Museums Foundation for Gifts
of Works of Art - Board Resolution 1267.
Chair Merriam particularly noted two of the acquisitions recommended for
purchase: a) Incised Limestone Panel: Profile of a Female Ruler Holding a Small
Throne, Classic Maya, Xupá, Mexico, A.D. 600-900; and b) Desk, ca. 1680, attributed
to Pierre Gole, French, Paris, ca. 1620-1684.
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco does hereby request The Fine Arts Museums Foundation to
acquire as gifts to the Museums the objects listed in Appendix I, as Items 1
through 11, on pages 2368 to 2371 of these minutes; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the President or Acting President of
the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is authorized to accept the gifts
offered by The Fine Arts Museums Foundation.
A motion to adopt the above resolution was made and seconded. There was no
discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to adopt the resolution as Board Resolution 1267.
2.
Purchases from Funds Held at City Hall
A motion to approve purchases from funds held at City Hall was made and seconded.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to approve the following purchases listed as Items 1, 3, and 8
on pages 2368 and 2371 of Appendix I of these minutes from funds held at City Hall:
a)
Item 1 from the Unrestricted Art Trust Fund and the
Africa, Oceania and the Americas Trust Fund
b) Item 3 from the Bequest from the Estate of Joyce I. Swader
c) Item 8 from the Prints and Drawings Art Trust Fund
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Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Report of the Acquisitions
Committee of September 23, 1998 - J. Alec Merriam, Chair and Vice President
of Collections (continued)
3.
Gifts Offered to the Museums
A motion to approve the gifts offered to the Museums was made and seconded.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to approve with sincere thanks to all donors the gifts offered
to the Museums as listed in Appendix I, pages 2372 to 2381 of these minutes.
4.
Bequest from the Margaret Sloss Trust to The Fine Arts Museums
Foundation
A motion to approve the resolution accepting this bequest was made and seconded.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the resolution listed in Appendix I, page 2382 of
these minutes as Board Resolution 1268.
5.
Bequest from the Trust of Bernice L. Eastman
A motion to approve the resolution accepting this bequest was made and seconded.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the resolution listed in Appendix I, page 2383 of
these minutes as Board Resolution 1269.
6.
Bequest from the Estate of Larry J. Rowell
A motion to approve the resolution declining this bequest was made and seconded.
There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the resolution listed in Appendix I, page 2384 of
these minutes as Board Resolution 1270.
7.
Purchases Reported for the Record
These objects are listed in Appendix I, pages 2385 and 2386 of these minutes.
8.
Acceptance of the Saxe Gift of Contemporary American Crafts and
Conditions of Gift
Chair Merriam reported the Saxe collection represents one of the premier
collections of contemporary crafts in the United States consisting of glass objects (261),
ceramic/porcelain objects (112), wood/furniture objects (94), fiber objects (80), and metal
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Report of the Acquisitions
Committee of September 23, 1998 - J. Alec Merriam, Chair and Vice President
of Collections (continued)
8.
Acceptance of the Saxe Gift of Contemporary American Crafts and
Conditions of Gift
objects (18). At the request of Mr. Parker, Curator Tim Burgard presented a number of slides
highlighting objects in the collection.
Following its review of the conditions of the gift, the Acquisitions Committee
unanimously recommended the acceptance of the gift to The Fine Arts Museums
Foundation (FAMF) and the conditions of the gift. A motion to request the FAMF to accept
the gift of the George and Dorothy Saxe Collection of Contemporary American Crafts and the
conditions of this gift was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees.
There was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to request the FAMF
to accept the Saxe Collection and the conditions of this gift. The extraordinary generosity of
George and Dorothy Saxe was recognized by a round of applause.
9.
Acceptance of the Gifts and Conditions of Gift from the John Gutmann
Revocable Living Trust
John Gutmann, a leading photographer active from the 1930’s onward and painter who
passed away on June 12, 1998, has bequeathed the following to the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco: a) his collection of African tribal art; b) approximately 150 vintage prints
of Chinese, Indian and Burmese subject matter; c) his collection of original graphic art;
d) 100 of his own drawings and 10 of his tempera paintings on paper; and e) some of his
paintings and drawings after all specific bequests are made.
Following its review of the conditions of the gift, the Acquisitions Committee
unanimously recommended the acceptance of the gift and the conditions of the gift. A
motion to accept the Gifts and Conditions of Gift from the John Gutmann Revocable
Living Trust was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There
was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept with
sincere appreciation to the decedent the gifts and conditions of gift from the John
Gutmann Revocable Living Trust.
B.
Report of the October 7-9, 1998 National Council Meeting - Chairman Richard
W. Goss II for Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel, Co-Chair
In the absence of Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel, Co-Chair of the National Council Planning
Committee, Chairman Goss reported that the National Council Meeting opened with a
dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Unobskey on October 7th. The Business
Meeting the next day was followed by a lecture by Dr. Robert Rosenblum, co-organizer
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
B.
Report of the October 7-9, 1998 National Council Meeting - Chairman Richard
W. Goss II for Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel, Co-Chair
of the exhibition, Picasso and the War Years: 1937-1945, and the opening of the exhibition
that evening at the Legion of Honor. On October 9th, a Fine Arts Museums Internet/Web Page
presentation was made by the Technology Committee. The National Council went on to
visit the Don and Doris Fisher collection at The Gap and concluded its three day meeting
with a luncheon at the Bankers Club in the Bank of America building.
Report of the President - Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Minutes of the September
10, 1998 Meeting of the Executive Committee
There being no discussion among the Trustees or members of the public, the
minutes of the September 10, 1998 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees, having been mailed in advance to all Trustees, were unanimously approved.
Mr. Parker noted that these minutes include a discussion of the seismic risks of the
de Young Museum. Appended to the minutes is a letter from Rutherford & Chekene,
a consulting engineering firm, which provides a current structural analysis of the
de Young Museum.
B.
Report of the Nominating Committee - Frank Montgomery Woods
1.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Resignation
of Richard W. Goss II as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Effective at the Conclusion of the October 15, 1998 Board of
Trustees Meeting
Trustee Woods advised that the Nominating Committee convened on September 10,
1998 to consider a letter dated August 28, 1998 from Richard W. Goss II in which he
submitted his resignation from the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees effective
at the conclusion of the October 15, 1998 Board of Trustees meeting. The Nominating
Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the resignation be accepted by the Board
of Trustees in view of the fact that the Proposition A campaign to rebuild the de Young Museum
in Golden Gate Park has concluded. Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of the two predecessor
Chairmen, the capital fund-raising program for the Legion of Honor has been completed, and
fundraising for the de Young Museum is off to a good start.
A motion to accept the resignation of Richard W. Goss II as Chairman of the Board
of Trustees at the conclusion of this meeting was made and seconded. In response to a
question raised by Trustee George Bowles, Trustee Woods clarified that the Chairmanship
position was established primarily to raise capital funds for the seismic safety and
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
B.
Report of the Nominating Committee - Frank Montgomery Woods (continued)
1.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Resignation
of Richard W. Goss II as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Effective at the Conclusion of the October 15, 1998 Board of
Trustees Meeting (continued)
improvement of the Legion of Honor and the de Young Museum. Chairman Goss
emphasized the desirability at this time of returning to a single leadership position, namely,
the office of the President.
There was no further discussion among Trustees.
Philip Carleton expressed appreciation to Chairman Goss for his leadership efforts
especially during 1997 when a downtown site for the de Young Museum was considered.
He urged the Board to seek compromises, stating that the garage in Golden Gate Park will
not move forward.
There was no further public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously
to accept the resignation of Richard W. Goss II as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the
conclusion of this meeting.
2.
Consideration and Possible Action to Accept the Recommendation
of the Nominating Committee to Elect Richard W. Goss II President
Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Fine
Arts Museums of San Francisco
A motion to elect Richard W. Goss II President Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus
was made and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public
testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect Richard W. Goss II
President Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco.
3.
Consideration and Possible Action to Amend the Bylaws of the Fine
Arts Museums of San Francisco Deleting References to the Position of
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
A motion to amend the Bylaws of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
deleting references to the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees was made
and seconded. There was no discussion among Trustees. There was no public
testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to amend the Bylaws of the
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as set forth in Appendix I of these minutes.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
C.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring
Richard W. Goss II for His Term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Trustee Woods then introduced the following resolution:
WHEREAS, At its meeting on April 9, 1998, the Board of
Trustees adopted Board Resolution 1255, which acknowledged the long
and distinguished record of service of Richard W. Goss II to the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco and which particularly recognized his term
as President of the Board of Trustees from October 10, 1991 through April 9,
1998; and
WHEREAS, At the April 9, 1998 meeting of the Board of Trustees,
Mr. Goss was elected to the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Goss has ably fulfilled the duties and
responsibilities required of the office of Chairman specifically providing
invaluable leadership to the Proposition A Campaign to Rebuild the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Goss notes with pride that the capital fund
raising for the Legion of Honor has been completed and funds for the new
de Young Museum have been identified due to the efforts of the two
predecessor Chairmen -- Mrs. John N. Rosekrans, Jr. and Mrs. Alfred S.
Wilsey; and
WHEREAS, In a letter dated August 28, 1998, Mr. Goss submitted
his resignation as Chairman of the Board of Trustees effective at the
conclusion of the October 15, 1998 meeting of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Nominating Committee has met and recommends
to the Board of Trustees that it accept the resignation of Richard W. Goss II
as Chairman; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees does hereby accept the
resignation of Richard W. Goss II as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
effective at the conclusion of the October 15, 1998 meeting; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees expresses its
profound and ongoing gratitude to Richard W. Goss II for his leadership,
stewardship, devoted service and steadfast dedication to the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco most especially during his tenure as President
and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
C.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Honoring
Richard W. Goss II for His Term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
(continued)
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was
no discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. By acclamation, the
Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the foregoing resolution honoring Richard W.
Goss II for his term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees as Board Resolution 1271.
The Board of Trustees recognized Chairman Goss with a standing ovation.
D.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Fixing the Number
of Trustees Positions
The following resolution was introduced by Trustee Woods:
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Charter provides for a variable
number of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The Charter sets the number of Trustees at sixty-two
with the exact number to be set by the Board from time to time; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco does hereby set the number of Trustees at forty-four until such
number is changed by this Board.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was no
discussion among Trustees. The following individual gave public testimony
(summarized):
Tomasita Medál - Encouraged the Board to increase rather than decrease in size and
stressed the need for the Board to reflect the diversity of the San Francisco community.
There was no further public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to
adopt the foregoing resolution as Board Resolution 1272.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
E.
Report on Recent Developments Regarding the Plans to Rebuild the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park
1.
Report of the Budget Committee - Richard H. Finn, Chair and Vice
President
a.
Five Year COFAM Operating Budget Projections
President Wilsey requested Trustee Finn, Chair of the Budget Committee, to present
the five year COFAM operating budget projections, noting the pertinence of this matter to
the discussion at hand, and therefore taking this agenda item, which is part of the COFAM
Board of Trustees meeting agenda, out of order.
Chair Finn reported that the Budget Committee at its meeting on September 9, 1998
reviewed the COFAM operating budget projections, which reflect the quantification of the
economic reality of the next five years. The projections show a five year cumulative,
operating deficit of between $11 and $13 million. It was pointed out that this substantial
deficit cannot be offset until a new de Young Museum is built, which will require four or
five years.
It was noted that the Picasso and the War Years and the Impressionists in Winter
exhibitions during the current fiscal year balance the budget for this year only. Thereafter,
declining revenues are primarily due to the inability of the de Young Museum to host major
temporary exhibitions. Costs remain stable over the five year period with a modest inflation
factor. The projections serve as a base case against which the organization will be
challenged to take action to offset the deficit.
Mr. Parker discussed the loss of the Federal insurance indemnification for temporary
exhibitions at the de Young Museum, which accounts for the five year cumulative loss of
between $11 and $13 million. Three major exhibitions, originally scheduled for the
de Young Museum, were moved to the Legion of Honor during this past year: Masters of
Light: Painters in Utrecht During the Dutch Golden Age, Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the
Harlem Rennaissance, and the current Picasso and the War Years. Masters of Light and
Rhapsodies in Black were successful, but attendance levels reach capacity at the Legion at
approximately 50,000 visitors per month as compared to the de Young Museum, which is
able to accommodate up to 125,000 visitors per month. Limited parking, poor public transit,
and an out-of-the way location make access to the Legion difficult. All of these factors
contributed to the loss of about 300,000 visitors this past year, which translate into a
significant decline in admission fees and ancillary revenues from the Museum stores and
restaurants.
A number of options for future consideration as a means of addressing the $11 to $13
million operating deficit were reviewed by Mr. Parker:
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
E.
Report on Recent Developments Regarding the Plans to Rebuild the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park (continued)
1.
Report of the Budget Committee - Richard H. Finn, Chair and Vice
President
a.
Five Year COFAM Operating Budget Projections (continued)

Construct a new de Young Museum as soon as possible, or short of that, construct a
temporary exhibition facility through private funding sources as soon as possible in order
to be able to mount international exhibitions requiring Federal insurance indemnification.

Utilize the Asian Art Museum with its current indemnification for international art
exhibitions as temporary space for the de Young Museum when the Asian moves to the
Civic Center (projected for late 2001).

Close the de Young Museum for the short term.
 Consolidate the de Young and Legion operations at the Legion of Honor creating a
smaller, high quality museum.
This last option would most likely require the elimination of a number of professional
staff positions and will undermine the future potential of the Fine Arts Museums, which has
been the leading City museum to bring temporary exhibitions to San Francisco and the
Bay Area. International exhibition planners are not considering San Francisco and the Fine
Arts Museums as they schedule future exhibitions. Mr. Parker concluded his remarks by
expressing the hope that the Board of Trustees will commit to building a new de Young
Museum with the construction of a temporary exhibition as the first priority.
F.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Build a New de Young Museum in
Golden Gate Park
President Wilsey emphasized the urgency of building a new de Young Museum
stating that closure of the de Young Museum is not a viable alternative. She stressed the
Board’s willingness to work tirelessly to build a new de Young and went on to solicit the
support of the community in this critically important effort. President Wilsey advised that
public testimony would be heard following the presentation of two resolutions. She
proceeded to introduce the first resolution supporting the efforts of the Concourse Authority
to implement the Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act as soon as possible, particularly those
elements of the plan which will guarantee access to the de Young Museum, and to reaffirm
the Board of Trustees’ commitment to build a new de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park :
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
F.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Build a New de Young Museum in
Golden Gate Park (continued)
WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees at its meeting on January 15,
1998, recognizing the strong public sentiment for keeping the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park and that time is of the essence, voted to modify
Board Resolution 1238 to state its commitment to continue to pursue a solution
that would allow the de Young Museum to reach its full potential to serve the
community by rebuilding in Golden Gate Park with an underground parking
facility and improved access by public transit; and
WHEREAS, Proposition J, the Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act,
passed in June 1998 with 58.1% yes votes meeting the simple majority
requirement for passage; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Supervisors of the City and County of
San Francisco has taken administrative action to implement the provisions of
Proposition J by authorizing the creation of the Concourse Authority; and
WHEREAS, The Recreation and Park Commission will consider setting
aside all aspects of the Draft Golden Gate Park Master Plan which will now be
subject to the Concourse Authority, and will consider implementation of the
balance of the Draft Golden Gate Park Master Plan; and,
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee at its meeting on September 10,
1998 voted to recommend to the Board of Trustees that it take action at its
October 15, 1998 meeting to support the efforts of the Concourse Authority to
implement the Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act as soon as possible,
particularly those elements of the plan which will guarantee access to the
de Young Museum, and to support the implementation of the balance of the
Draft Golden Gate Park Master Plan which will improve the health and
vibrancy of Golden Gate Park; and
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee at its September 10, 1998
meeting further recommended that in view of these improvements to Golden
Gate Park, the Board of Trustees take further action on October 15, 1998 to
reaffirm its commitment to rebuilding a new de Young Museum in Golden
Gate Park; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums
does hereby support the efforts of the Concourse Authority to implement the
Golden Gate Park Revitalization Act as soon as possible, particularly those
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
F.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Build a New de Young Museum in
Golden Gate Park (continued)
elements of the plan which will guarantee access to the de Young Museum,
and to support the implementation of the balance of the Draft Golden Gate
Park Master Plan which will improve the health and vibrancy of Golden Gate
Park; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in view of these improvements to
Golden Gate Park, the Board of Trustees reaffirms its commitment to
rebuilding a new de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
G.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Open a New de Young Museum,
to Take All Necessary Steps to Recommend to the Board of Trustees an
Architect to Develop a Plan for a New de Young Museum, to Expend
Necessary Funds for this Purpose, and to Pursue All Financing Strategies to
Fund a New de Young Museum
President Wilsey then introduced the second resolution:
WHEREAS, The seismically inadequate de Young Museum must be
rebuilt in order to protect the safety of the art collection, staff, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, A new de Young Museum building project is necessary
to reverse the economic decline of the Museum because its seismic condition
no longer permits major exhibitions and to continue to provide community
services, including its vital education programs; and
WHEREAS, The importance and urgency of a new de Young
Museum building project is recognized and supported by a strong majority of
San Franciscans as evidenced by the June 2, 1998 election resulting in 64.3%
yes votes for Proposition A, which would have provided general obligation
bond funding to rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and which
narrowly failed to meet the 66.7% approval requirement; and
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee at its September 10, 1998meeting
recognized that rebuilding the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park without a
loss of momentum is of the highest priority and recommended that the Board of
Trustees at its meeting on October 15, 1998 reaffirm its commitment to open a new
Museum; and
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
G.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Open a New de Young Museum,
to Take All Necessary Steps to Recommend to the Board of Trustees an
Architect to Develop a Plan for a New de Young Museum, to Expend
Necessary Funds for this Purpose, and to Pursue All Financing Strategies to
Fund a New de Young Museum (continued)
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee further recommended to the
Board of Trustees that the President of the Board of Trustees and the Director
of Museums be authorized to take all necessary steps to recommend to the Board of
Trustees an architect to develop a plan for a new de Young Museum and to expend
necessary funds for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee further recommended to
the Board of Trustees that the President of the Board of Trustees and the Director
of Museums be further authorized to pursue all financing strategies to fund a new
de Young Museum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees does hereby recognize that
rebuilding the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park without a loss of
momentum is of the highest priority and reaffirms its commitment to open a
new Museum; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees authorizes the
President of the Board of Trustees and the Director of Museums to take all
necessary steps to recommend to the Board of Trustees an architect to develop a
plan for a new de Young Museum and to expend necessary funds for this purpose;
and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees authorizes the
President of the Board of Trustees and the Director of Museums to pursue all
financing strategies to fund a new de Young Museum.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above two resolutions. There was no
discussion among Trustees. The following individual gave public testimony (summarized):
Dr. Richard Lanzerotti - Expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees for
considering the two resolutions, reiterated the support of many in the community,
and encouraged the Trustees to move forward.
There was no further discussion among the Trustees. The Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to adopt the first resolution reaffirming its commitment to build a new de
Young Museum in Golden Gate Park as Board Resolution 1273, and to adopt the second
resolution reaffirming its commitment to open a new de Young Museum, to take all
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
G.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the
Commitment of the Board of Trustees to Open a New de Young Museum,
to Take All Necessary Steps to Recommend to the Board of Trustees an
Architect to Develop a Plan for a New de Young Museum, to Expend
Necessary Funds for this Purpose, and to Pursue All Financing Strategies to
Fund a New de Young Museum (continued)
necessary steps to recommend to the Board of Trustees an architect to develop a plan for a
new de Young Museum, to expend necessary funds for this purpose, and to pursue all
financing strategies to fund a new de Young Museum as Board Resolution 1274. It was the
consensus that planning should proceed for a phased, new de Young Museum building
project, utilizing private funding initially with the understanding that some public
financing, which remains to be identified, will be required.
H.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Changing the
Location of the 1999 Board of Trustees Meetings
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco does hereby change the locations of its 1999 regular meetings:
Date
Thursday, January 14, 1999
Thursday, April 8, 1999
Thursday, June 10, 1999
Thursday, October 14, 1999
Time
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
Location
Board Room, Legion of Honor
Gallery 23, de Young Museum
Board Room, Legion of Honor
Gallery 23, de Young Museum
On motion, duly seconded, there was no discussion among the Trustees. There
was no public testimony. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the above
resolution as Board Resolution 1275.
Director’s Report - Harry S. Parker III
A.
Report of the Volunteer Recognition Task Force
Mr. Parker acknowledged the generosity of Carole and Robert McNeil, who have
established the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award Program. The purpose of the
program is to recognize the importance of the volunteer efforts at the Fine Arts Museums
through the selection of two award recipients, who will each recommend a $25,000
Museum project of their choice to the Board of Trustees for approval.
The McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award Program was received with enthusiasm
with 24 nominations submitted for consideration. A committee co-chaired by Carole and
Robert McNeil and comprised of President Wilsey, Trustee J. Alec Merriam, Barbara
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Report of the Volunteer Recognition Task Force (continued)
George, Jo Staub, Steve Nash and Vas Prabhu met on several occasions to establish
guidelines and select the two recipients.
1.
Announcement of the Two Recipients of the McNeil Volunteer
Recognition Award
Mr. Parker announced the first two recipients of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition
Award: a) Cheryl Bancroft, a Western Art Docent of the Fine Arts Museums since 1981
and Volunteer Chair of the Proposition A Campaign to Rebuild the de Young Museum;
and
b) Maxine Rosston, a full-time volunteer Assistant Curator in the Achenbach Foundation
for Graphic Arts for the past twenty-five years.
2.
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve the Museum Projects
Recommended for Funding ($25,000 each) by the Two Recipients of
the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award
Mrs. Bancroft expressed her appreciation to Robert and Carole McNeil for creating
the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award and to the Volunteer Recognition Task Force
for selecting her as one of the first two recipients of the award. She proceeded to describe
two education projects proposed to receive $25,000 in funding: a) the creation of an
Artist’s Studio in Gallery 5 at the de Young Museum, which will provide Museum
visitors an introduction to an artist’s studio complete with demonstrations and workshops;
and b) producing slide sets of 400 works of art from the permanent collection to be made
available to teachers in order to convey the caliber of the Museums’ holdings.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the two projects, which together will
receive $25,000 in funding. There was no discussion among Trustees or members of the
public. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the two projects presented by
Mrs. Bancroft.
Maxine Rosston then presented her proposed project to receive $25,000 in funding.
Additional shelving with a more secure locking system are needed in the climate controlled
Achenbach library area to provide correct and conservationally safe storage for the rare
books and portfolio collection.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Achenbach project for $25,000 in
funding. There was no discussion among Trustees or members of the public. The Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to approve the project presented by Mrs. Rosston.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Report of the Volunteer Recognition Task Force (continued)
3.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Two Resolutions Honoring
Each of the Recipients of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award
The following resolution honoring Cheryl Bancroft was presented by Mr. Parker:
WHEREAS, Cheryl Bancroft has a long and impressive record of
volunteer service to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; and
WHEREAS, She has served as a Western Art Docent of the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco since 1981 and continues to provide a minimum of
twenty-four tours per year of the permanent collections at the California Palace
of the Legion of Honor and the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum; and
WHEREAS, The Docent Program and Museums have benefited
immeasurably from her invaluable leadership and direction as a Western Art
Daily Supervisor and Coordinator of Supervisors, Chair of the Western Art
New Training Program, Area Chair of the Western Art Docents, and Chair of
the Docent Council; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bancroft has been diligent in raising and designating
funds to benefit the Docent Program and the Museums, most recently the
establishment of a memorial fund honoring Docent Carolyn Moscarella, which
resulted in a donation of a rare Roman bronze panther to the Antiquities
Collection, and
WHEREAS, She has devoted countless hours as the Western Art
Archivist, organizing historical records and coordinating historical research
with docents; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Mrs. Bancroft ably fulfilled the role of Volunteer
Chair of the Proposition A Campaign to Rebuild the de Young Museum in
Golden Gate Park, recruiting hundreds of volunteers and coordinating all
volunteer activities at campaign headquarters and in the community; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of the
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Cheryl Bancroft has been selected as
one of the first two recipients of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award;
now, therefore, be it
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Report of the Volunteer Recognition Task Force (continued)
3.
Consideration and Possible Action to Adopt Two Resolutions Honoring
Each of the Recipients of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award
(continued)
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees does hereby acknowledge
its profound appreciation to Cheryl Bancroft for her extraordinary service
and leadership to the Docent Program and the Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was no
discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. By acclamation, the foregoing
resolution honoring Cheryl Bancroft was adopted as Board Resolution 1276. Mr. Robert
McNeil and Mr. Parker presented Cheryl Bancroft with a replica of the Small Hand by
Auguste Rodin. The Board of Trustees recognized Mrs. Bancroft’s efforts on behalf of the
Fine Arts Museums with a standing ovation.
Mr. Parker then introduced the second resolution honoring Maxine Rosston.
WHEREAS, Maxine Rosston has a long and impressive record of
volunteer service to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; and
WHEREAS, This year, 1998, marks Mrs. Rosston’s twenty-fifth
year of full-time volunteer service in the Achenbach Foundation for
Graphic Arts; and
WHEREAS, She began volunteering at the Achenbach Foundation
for Graphic Arts in 1973 after completing the Museums’ Docent Training
Program; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Mrs. Rosston was named Assistant Curator in
the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, a gesture which acknowledged her
professional abilities and commitment to the Museums; and
WHEREAS, Many achievements are attributed to her diligence,
most notably the cataloguing of over 12,000 works of art in the Achenbach
Foundation for Graphic Arts collection; and
WHEREAS, The painstaking and careful recording that Mrs. Rosston
began by hand in the 1970’s became the structural and organizational basis for
the Museums’ computerized database of more than 110,000 objects during
the 1990’s; and
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
A.
Report of the Volunteer Recognition Task Force (continued)
WHEREAS, The Museum’s now renowned Thinker website is also
rooted in the important work which she began; and
WHEREAS, As efforts continue to improve the database system,
Mrs. Rosston’s insights point directly at better scholarship, accountability,
access and public service; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her contributions, which have greatly
benefited the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts and the Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco, Maxine Rosston has been selected as one of the
first two recipients of the McNeil Volunteer Recognition Award; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees does hereby acknowledge its
profound appreciation to Maxine Rosston for her extraordinary service and
leadership as a full-time volunteer for the past twenty-five years to the Achenbach
Foundation for Graphic Arts and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was no
discussion among Trustees. There was no public testimony. By acclamation, the foregoing
resolution honoring Maxine Rosston was adopted as Board Resolution 1277. A replica of
Small Hand by Auguste Rodin was presented to Mrs. Rosston by Mr. Robert McNeil
and Mr. Parker. The Board of Trustees recognized Maxine Rosston’s efforts on behalf of
the Fine Arts Museums with a standing ovation.
Mr. McNeil stated that he and his wife were pleased with the McNeil Volunteeer
Recognition Award program and are committed to its establishment on a long-term basis.
A reception celebrating the spirit of the volunteer recognition award and honoring Cheryl
Bancroft and Maxine Rosston will be rescheduled in the next several months.
B.
Report on Tuesday Attendance at the de Young Museum
Thanks to the generosity of Trustee Essey and the Essey Family Fund, the de Young
Museum has been open to the public on Tuesdays since July 1, 1998. Admissions revenue
has been adequate to cover costs. The de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor are now
open every day of the week except Mondays.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
C.
Current and Future Exhibits
Picasso and the War Years: 1937-1945 opened to the public last weekend. A very
successful ArtPoint event with 1,500 guests was held on Friday evening and celebrated the
opening of the exhibition. Steve Nash, Curator of Picasso and the War Years, was
congratulated for his efforts in organizing this major exhibition.
The exhibition, A Feast for the Eye: Food in Art, celebrates depictions of food in
art since the 16th century. The exhibition opens at the de Young Museum on September 26,
1998 and runs through December 13, 1998 and features more than 200 works of art from the
Museums’ permanent collection and selected loans. The Art Lover’s Cookbook: A Feast for
the Eye integrates recipes from the Museum family, illustrated with images of many of the
works in the exhibition.
Report of the Facilities Committee - Steven MacGregor Read, Chair and Vice President
The Facilities Committee at its September 3, 1998 meeting discussed the ways in which the capital
facilities program could best respond to the projected operating budget shortfalls. These discussions
focused on: a) possibilities of phasing the building project to bring the temporary exhibition program
back on line as soon as possible; b) re-envisioning the project to consider the idea of pavilions, rather
than one structure, that would not only meet the long-term goals of the Museum but would be
compatible with funding strategies; c) how the Asian Art Museum wing could be utilized to provide
short or long term options in the rebuilding plan, including a brief overview by the seismic/structural
engineer regarding the relative problems of both the de Young and Asian wing; and d) the advantage
of proceeding with developing a conceptual design plan for the de Young that would address the
foregoing concerns, as well as increase enthusiasm for the project.
Report of the Civic Affairs Committee - Ms. Frankie Jacobs Gillette, Chair andVice
President
Chair Gillette advised that the Civic Affairs Committee at its meeting on October 5, 1998, engaged in
a post-election discussion of the campaign to rebuild the de Young in Golden Gate Park. Progress
toward a new de Young in the Park was reviewed including initiating the project with private funding
and recommending an architect to the Board of Trustees to develop a plan for a new de Young.
On Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 1998, special programs and events have been
planned for the day at the Legion of Honor in conjunction with Picasso and the War Years. There
will be no charge for admission on Veteran’s Day (second Wednesday of the month is free at the
Legion). The day will begin with a formal ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Court of Honor with French
and American color guards, the French Consul General, the President of the American Society of
the French Legion of Honor, World War II veterans, an African American liberator of a German
concentration camp, a Japanese American member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Fine
Arts Museums President Emeritus, Walter Newman, who received a Purple Heart. Entertainment
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
Report of the Civic Affairs Committee - Ms. Frankie Jacobs Gillette, Chair andVice resident
(continued)
will be provided throughout the day by the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, David
Hegerty performing on the Skinner Organ, The Banner Sisters, and Christina Lamberti, soprano with
the San Francisco Opera Center. The day concludes with a lecture by George Segal, world-renowned
sculptor of the San Francisco Holocaust Memorial. Parking arrangements have been made with The
Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 43rd and Clement. Chair Gillette encouraged all to attend.
Report of the Education Committee - Mrs. Charles F. Willis, Chair
At its meeting on October 13, 1998, a questionnaire was distributed to assist in clarifying goals for
the coming year. Chair Willis also reported that the Committee discussed the depth and scope of
the Museums’ education program and possible marketing strategies to increase the public’s
awareness of the education program and department.
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 the
total time for public comment to thirty minutes.
Dr. Richard Lanzerotti, Tomasita Medál, and Chooi Eng Grosso expressed appreciation
and support to the Board of Trustees for reaffirming its commitment to build a new
de Young in Golden Gate Park.
There was no further public comment.
Meeting Schedule, Future Events and Current and Future Exhibits
A.
Executive Committee Meetings
1998
Date
November 12, 1998
December 10, 1998
Time
Noon
Noon
Location
233 Post Street, SF (Canceled)
233 Post Street, SF
1999
Date
February 11, 1999
March 11, 1999
May 13, 1999
September 9, 1999
November 11, 1999
December 9, 1999
Time
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Location
233 Post Street, SF
233 Post Street, SF
233 Post Street, SF
233 Post Street, SF
233 Post Street, SF
233 Post Street, SF
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
B.
Board of Trustees Meetings
Date
January 14, 1999
April 8, 1999
June 10, 1999
October 14, 1999
Time
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
Location
Board Room, Legion of Honor
Gallery 23, de Young Museum
Board Room, Legion of Honor
Gallery 23, de Young Museum
Future Events
Date
November 2, 1998
November 11, 1998
January 19, 1999
January 28, 1999
January 30, 1999
February 3-7, 1999
February 11, 1999
February 16, 1998
March 15-19, 1999
Event
Dinner Honoring Richard W. Goss II
Veterans Day Celebration (Free Day at Museums)
Museums Associates Trip to Los Angeles
County Museum of Art, Van Gogh’s Van Gogh:
Masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum
Impressionists in Winter Opening
Artist’s Ball Benefit
Museum Associates Trip to the Guggenheim
Museum in New York City for the Opening of
Picasso and the War Years: 1937-1945
Victoria and Albert Opening
William Fries II Dinner
Bouquets to Art
Current and Future Exhibitions
*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF
Title
Gallery One - Exhibition for Children
Charles Jones
A Feast for the Eye: Food in Art*
Picasso and the War Years: 1937-1945*
Date
Ongoing
09/19/98-12/06/98
09/26/98-12/13/98
10/10/98-01/03/99
Selections from the Anderson Collection:
Motherwell’s A la Pintura*
Arnold Genthe
Impressionists in Winter: Effets de Neige
10/31/98-01/10/99
Selections from the Anderson Collection:
Legendary Lithography
A Grand Design: The Art of the
Victoria and Albert Museum
02/06/99-04/25/99
12/19/98-03/28/99
01/30/99-05/02/99
02/13/99-05/09/99
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Museum/Gallery
de Young Gallery One
de Young 36/37
de Young 44
Legion A-F
& Rosekrans
Legion 5
de Young 36/37
Center for Arts
Yerba Buena Gardens
Legion A
Legion B-F
& Rosekrans
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Board of Trustees - Special Meeting
October 15, 1998
Current and Future Exhibitions (continued)
*Exhibitions organized by FAMSF
Title
Bouquets to Art
Wiedersperg Collection
Youth Arts Festival
Selections from the Anderson Collection
Francis Bacon: A Retrospective
Date
03/15/99-03/19/99
03/27/99-10/31/99
05/05/99-05/09/99
05/01/99-07/25/99
06/13/99-08/02/99
Gantner-Meyer Collection of
Aborginal Art*
Wiedersperg Collection*
Nurturing the Future: The Art and
Collection of David C. Driskell
09/18/99-01/09/00
10/00/99-04/00/00
11/20/99-02/12/00
Museum/Gallery
Legion All
de Young 28-30
de Young
Legion A
Legion B-E
& Rosekrans
Legion B-E
& Rosekrans
de Young 28-30/41
de Young 44
Adjournment - Richard W. Goss II, Chairman
Trustee Flagg noted an article in yesterday’s New York Times, which recognized the
extraordinary philanthropy of Phyllis Wattis. The Board of Trustees acknowledged Trustee Wattis
with sincere appreciation and a standing ovation.
There being no further business, Chairman Goss adjourned the meeting at 1:25p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Gough
Executive Secretary
Museums
Note: 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.
Immediately following this meeting, the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums held a special
meeting of its Board of Trustees.
mbtfamsf9810
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