Press Coverage:
Mayoral
Candidates Paint Pretty Pictures
San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 1, 2003
The following is presented as supplement to the San Francisco Mayoral Candidates’
Arts Forum 2003
, with additional questions not presented at the event.
Produced by Intersection for the Arts, Theatre Bay Area, 826 Valencia and Independent Arts & Media.
Audio Archives
Forum recordings courtesy of Darren Hochstedler, Technical Director, Intersection for the Arts:
Introduction
Devastating budget cuts have forced the California Arts Council to discontinue its granting programs — San Francisco alone faces a loss of 350 grants worth $4 million. This, combined with extreme cycles of economic boom and bust, has permanently and detrimentally affected the arts in our city. The next mayor will have the chance to redefine the role of government in supporting the arts, and will profoundly influence education, homelessness, housing/rent control, and the diversity and sustainability of arts and culture in our neighborhoods. Thank you for voting on November 4!
Online Voter Resources
City of San Francisco
– Candidates, polling places, etc.
Arts Democratic Club
– More candidates’ position statements.
THE QUESTIONS
1. What is your vision for arts education in public schools?
2. What specifically will you do to increase public funding and other support for the arts?
3. How will you ensure that arts funding is distributed to traditionally underserved communities as well as the mainstream?
4. Describe your past work on behalf of San Francisco artists.
5. How will your administration support small, nonprofit, neighborhood- and community-focused arts centers that don’t have the same resources as large museums and schools?
6. How will you involve arts nonprofits in developing your administration’s arts funding and support policies?
THE RESPONSES
All responses preserve candidates’ original spelling and usage:
-
Angela
Alioto
-
Tom
Ammiano
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Michael
Denny
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Matt
Gonzales
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Susan
Leal
-
Gavin
Newsom
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Tony
Ribera
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Roger
Schulke
Angela Alioto
– www.angela4mayor.com
1. It is easy to have a vision, but our schools need to have the money to make them real. San Francisco needs a renaissance in the arts, and I am proposing a Foundation for San Francisco Arts that will be especially tasked with finding solutions to provide art programs to our young people. I take art very seriously and rely on it in my own personal life.
2. San Francisco’s reputation as a city that respects the arts has taken a nose-dive in recent years. Artists are no longer flocking to our shores, they are fleeing. A mayor cannot be indifferent to such a trend, but must be an active proponent of the arts. I plan to be that mayor. I will use the Office of the Mayor to raise funds to promote the arts through a special Foundation for San Francisco Arts that I will institute in the first 30 days of an Alioto administration. My door will always be open to the arts communities.
3. We are a city that celebrates diversity and our artists reflect that. There needs to be an active and vibrant arts office with an outreach program that encourages new artists from every part of our rich cultural mix to produce and market their artworks. The foundation that I will institute will specifically promote San Francisco’s artists and artistic productions. There is a critical need for funding for grant writers who can assist our local artists from various cultural perspectives to assure that our arts reflect our diversity and this should be a basic mission of the foundation.
4. I was the originator of the film commission, that opened the door for many artists working in the movie and TV industries, not only for performers, but also for stage, wardrobe, video and related arts. I successfully fought a move to require permits for poetry readings, ensuring the right of poets to freely congregate and create artistic works. I named Via Ferlinghetti and Beach Blanket Babylon Avenues to promote the arts. I have been a consistent supporter of arts programs from the city’s hotel tax, and sponsored resolutions supporting art programs for youth in schools and city-owned facilities. I’ve been an advocate for the city’s street artist program and made the San Francisco Fair an official showcase for creative arts. I have been active in the preservation of San Francisco’s artistic and architectural treasures, such as the landmarking of the Columbo Building, Our Lady of Guadeloupe, Shrine of St. Francis, St. Brigit’s. I favor restoration of our San Francisco spaces, including interiors, that will bring artists and related craftsmen employment. Artists and the arts are at the core of a healthy economy for San Francisco, and priceless to me personally. Nothing is more important than the renaissance of the San Francisco spirit, and it starts with our creative arts communities. I will find nothing more fulfilling than keeping this pledge to you that I will be the mayor of a city of flourishing artistic creativity.
5. The foundation I am proposing would be a conduit that would, finally, deal with the problems facing artists in San Francisco head on. I would favor assisting artists with housing and workspaces, and if there is a silver lining in the current glut of office spaces it may be that they are conducive to conversion to real live-work spaces for artists. In the long term, however, we need to get the artists communities at the table to work out solutions. I believe creative people will find ways to deal with problems that bureaucrats would never imagine. I think we can get more artists involved in a less formal advisory committee than the current Arts Commission provides, one that will advise the other artists from the ground up rather than expect artists to deal with the Arts Commission. The artists that I know prefer to work out their own methods and produce their own promotions but often lack the resources to carry out a detailed plan. This problem could be greatly alleviated through a foundation that represents working artists and craftspeople.
6. I have no confidence in the current Arts Commission. I think we can get more artists involved in a less formal advisory committee that will advise the other artists from the ground up rather than expect artists to deal with the Arts Commission. The artists that I know prefer to work out their own methods and produce their own promotions but often lack the resources to carry out a detailed plan. This problem could be greatly alleviated through a foundation that represents working artists and craftspeople.
Tom Ammiano
– www.ammianoformayor.com
1. The major focus of my current legislative efforts is to improve public education, including arts and music education, in San Francisco. To that end, I recently released a report entitled Great Schools for a Great City that found that:
a. Quality public education is highly correlated with higher earnings potential, reduced crime, lower rates of teen pregnancy and substance abuse, and greater self-esteem.
b. Urban public schools have the greatest need for comprehensive educational programs – including preschool programs, arts and music programs, sports activities, and after school programs – but often have the fewest resources to provide them.
c. The choices businesses make about where to locate include the quality of public services the City provides, including public safety, transportation and education.
d. While California once led the nation in public school spending and performance, investments have greatly declined. Despite its high cost of living, San Francisco per pupil spending ranks 34th among 43 comparable central city U.S. public school districts of similar size. Adjusted for cost-of-living, SFUSD teacher salaries rank 99th of 100 metropolitan areas.
e. SFUSD enrollment has dropped in recent years as families have left San Francisco in search of affordable neighborhoods with high-quality public schools.
f. Since 2000, the SFUSD has made strong improvements in achievement measures and financial management.
g. The Sustainable Funding for School Arts and Music Task Force created by the Board of Supervisors recommended in 2001 an increase of arts funding from $90 per student to $200 per student annually (or approximately $7 million annually in increased funding) to provide adequate resources in the four major arts disciplines (visual arts, music, drama and dance).
h. The SFUSD Athletics Office estimates that $5 million in additional funding is required annually to provide for comprehensive middle and high school sports programs; an additional $2.5 million-$5 million is required to provide part or full-time physical education teachers at all 78 SFUSD elementary schools.
i. To achieve national average staffing ratios of librarians to students at the SFUSD, an additional $3 million annually is required. Costs to provide the national recommendation for library books per student are unknown.
j. The San Francisco First Five Commission estimates that the costs to provide universal preschool for all eligible children would be $21 to $30 million for a one-year program (4 year olds) and $42 to $60 million for a two-year program (3 and 4 year olds).
k. As the economy begins to recover, now is the time to invest in our children’s future, before further declines begin to erode the progress the SFUSD has made.
As a first major step to address these findings, I authored and introduced at the Board of Supervisors the Arts, Music, Sports and Preschool for Every Child Charter Amendment for the San Francisco March 2004 ballot with the support of a majority of the members of the San Francisco Board of Education. It will be considered by the Board of Supervisors this fall. The measure, developed in conjunction with education and arts activists in San Francisco, will:
a. Provide guaranteed funding from the City’s General Fund of $20 million annually at full phase-in for arts, music, sports and physical education and librarians at the San Francisco Unified School District;
b. Provide guaranteed funding from the City’s General Fund of $20 million annually for universal preschool for four-year old City residents consistent with goals of the California First Five Commission and establish a City goal of providing universal preschool for all four-year old City residents by September 2009; and
c. Provide direct financial support from the City’s General Fund and/or in-kind City services worth $20 million annually to support the San Francisco Unified School District for classroom purposes.
2. One of the main sources of funding is arts education monies. During difficult economic times, this is also the first category to be cut from the budget. We need to establish viable methods to arts programs with funding, from private sources if necessary. While I am committed to identifying resources for arts programs, I am also dedicated to working closely with arts organizations to provide assistance during economically challenging times.
I am also committed to reviewing the arts funding we currently have. To ensure effectiveness and accountability, I believe City funding for San Francisco artists and arts organizations must equitably represent and serve the cultural needs of the entire population. For too long, there has been a clear class demarcation within the arts community. Local government must be proactive in supporting diverse cultural arts through its funding mechanisms. I will ensure that such evenhandedness takes place under my watch. We must also look at Grants for the Arts and the San Francisco Arts Commission to identify what fiscal and program improvements can be made to ensure increased efficiency.
I am also aware of the space needs of artists and the limited funding available for these needs. I am currently researching the effectiveness of the “art on site” fee assessed to developers. I would like to study the feasibility of directing some of this money to establish a capital fund, for example, to create low-cost space for artists and arts organizations.
3. Given the unique multiculturalism present in San Francisco, it is critical that support for the arts reflect this diversity. As Supervisor, I have always sought to ensure that such funding is reflective of our diversity. (One of the many reasons I oppose Proposition 54 – the Racial Privacy Initiative – is because such data collection would be eliminated.)
I recognize the unique role that multicultural arts organizations play in individual communities and in the arts community as a whole. As Mayor, I would continue to preserve existing multicultural arts organizations and treasured cultural centers. As indicated above, I will work to ensure that funding is provided to include diverse constituencies and adequately represents the present diversity of San Francisco. Additionally, I believe we should be doing all we can to increase the support to individual artists with grants and studying the data associated with these grants to ensure a diverse distribution of this support.
4. I am proud of my support for the arts and artists throughout my time in office. In 2000, during the height of the commercial real estate boom, when dozens of non-profit arts organizations were being forced out of their buildings, I authored legislation appropriating $1.5 million for non-profit rent subsidies. This allowed many nonprofit arts organizations to avoid eviction and allowed them to remain in San Francisco rather than relocating to the East Bay. I also authored an ordinance to increase the maximum amount for loans (from $150,000 to $200,000) available to non-profit performing arts organizations. I have supported funding for a variety of arts organizations, taking particular pride to ensure that multicultural and community-based arts organizations receive support.
5. The best way to make any government agency more accountable to its constituents is to have representatives from that community actively represented and sitting in decision-making positions. The composition of the Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts must include more artists and arts administrators – particularly those representing small to mid-sized arts organizations – which represent the City’s diverse population. As Mayor, I will ensure that these appointments are truly reflective of the diverse arts community of San Francisco.
To ensure effectiveness and accountability, I believe City funding for San Francisco artists and arts organizations must equitably represent and serve the cultural needs of the entire population. I will abolish the clear class demarcation within the arts community in terms of funding. Local government can – and must – be proactive in supporting diverse cultural arts through its funding mechanisms.
6. As mentioned above, I will ensure that more arts administrators from small and mid-sized nonprofits are appointed to the Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts. In my efforts to reform the funding process, I will ensure that arts nonprofits organizations provide input and ideas on how to better represent the arts community.
Matt Gonzalez
– www.mattgonzalez.com
1. Societies are remembered by the art they produce. San Francisco must support its vibrant artistic culture in the schools. I not only want to restore recent cutbacks, I believe we need to take a more expansive approach to arts funding and provide our children more expansive opportunities to participate in school sponsored performing arts, letters, visual arts, and multimedia. San Francisco’s values dictate that we devote more funding to the arts in the schools.
2. Recently, I called for a ballot measure that would raise the real estate transfer tax on properties valued $2 million or more so that when such property changes hands, the city receives additional funds. Of the up to $30 million this can raise, I would like to earmark part of this money for land acquisition for arts groups, nonprofits, and affordable housing — all issues that affect artists and performers.
3. Elements of the hotel tax and the transfer tax should be used to support community-based art organizations. The San Francisco Symphony already has a dedicated resource stream. Along with such traditional groups, we need to provide geographic and demographic parity for arts in the city.
4. I am a long-time advocate of the arts and a former board member at the Intersection for the Arts. I have published volumes of poetry by Jack Hirschman and Jack Micheline. In addition, I am an avid art collector and owner of hundreds of artworks. I have also worked to raise the profile of local artists. My City Hall office serves constantly as an art gallery. Every month, I feature one artist’s work. And when, as President of the Board of Supervisors, I was given my own, each time I introduced new artists and their works, including Christine Shields, Sherry Olson, Tom Schultz, Felix Macnee, and Malina Finkelstein.
5. Along with the funds from the transfer tax for land acquisition, we can prioritize the dissemination of information on community-based and smaller nonprofit through the tourist bureau. We need to publicize to San Francisco’s many visitors vibrant arts culture that takes place in the neighborhoods and among its diverse communities.
6. We want to ensure that the structure of representation for artists and art organizations to the city reflects the diversity of the city itself. We favor an even more diverse membership on the Arts Commission and will continue to consult actively nonprofit and art groups.
Susan Leal
• www.susanleal.com
1. We need a stronger city-School District partnership and cooperative relationship to better coordinate city resources and services such libraries, the arts and nonprofit programs with the needs of public school kids and the School District. I strongly support the work of the San Francisco Arts Commission to place artists and writers in our public schools and would expand that very successful program.
2. I will work to market the arts more effectively to both visitors and local residents.
As mayor, I’ll have the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development collaborate with my nonprofit liaison, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and other organizations to promote our arts organizations. For example, the city website should have attractively displayed and weekly-updated information about performances, exhibits and participatory arts programs for all ages and in all neighborhoods.
3. We will draw upon New York and Boston models for creating Culture Zones to help rejuvenate some of our vacant theater spaces. In New York, legislators and arts organizations are collaborating to create Culture Zones in designated areas. Local and state government provide benefits to businesses and landlords to support the arts, including tax incentives for landlords who provide favorable rent to artists and nonprofit arts and cultural groups; tax incentives for developers who include space for artists in new projects; reduced energy costs for nonprofit arts groups; job development assistance to help arts organizations in the zone access subsidized staffing and job training programs; tax credits for individual and business contributors to arts institutions located within the zone; vacant or underused theater space could provide space for dance, music and theater organizations to perform and practice.
4. Arts organizations make San Francisco the vibrant, sophisticated city that we love, and San Francisco is one of the most important cities in California for the arts. Because the arts bring people to San Francisco from both the Bay Area and the rest of the world, we must promote the city and our arts together. In addition to enhancing our quality of life, the arts in San Francisco also have a great impact on our economy as a source of jobs for residents. Not only do the large organizations employ people, but all kinds of artists work and teach here as well, and the city must support this community better.
5. In these tough fiscal times, we need to think creatively about ways to increase funding and resources to the arts community. As mayor, my administration will develop partnerships that can provide assistance for nonprofits with real estate and other space needs, grant writing, budgeting, human resources and other administrative issues. We have a wealth of knowledgeable people in our community who have the skills and experience to help new or growing organizations. We will collaborate with SF Foundation, the Tides Center and other public and private sector partners who have needed skills.
6. Currently, no single department or person has ultimate responsibility to ensure that the city’s relationships with nonprofit agencies, including, of course, arts organizations, are managed well, and agencies are often frustrated trying to work with the city. Nonprofit arts organizations often feel that the city institutes new policies affecting them without including agencies in developing the policies. In addition, for both agencies and city personnel, it can be very difficult to obtain necessary information about who does what and where to go. My administration will make the city’s relationship with arts nonprofits a priority by streamlining and reforming city-arts processes to make it easier for nonprofit arts organizations to do business with city government and deliver services; appointing a city-Nonprofit Ombudsperson to oversee and monitor the relationship between city government and the nonprofit arts community; collecting and manage data more effectively to set measurable goals, and; helping nonprofit arts organizations find affordable, appropriate space.
Gavin Newsom
• www.gavinnewsom.com
1. Arts education is a powerful gateway to academic success, giving all children a forum for exercising their creativity and those who learn differently another model for achievement at school. The arts help develop mental and physical capacities and help children develop socially and emotionally. Investing in art opportunities for our children now will affect San Francisco’s cultural future. And yet — we no longer have school art competitions. Music and dance programs are few. The recent budget cuts to the California Arts Council suggest that the struggle to fund arts education is not going away any time soon. As mayor I will work to foster public-private partnerships to compensate for lost support. I will challenge local artists to become involved in schools and work to find incentives for them to do so (e.g., by exchanging studio or performance space for arts instruction, as Dance Mission has done with Horace Mann Middle School). Successful programs such as the Alvarado Elementary School Artist in Residence Program and the School of the Arts must be nurtured and expanded. I will encourage SFUSD and the Arts Commission to work together to make the arts a cornerstone of education.
2. The Mayor’s Office must help attract more federal and state money as well as philanthropic support for the arts and other vital community services. I believe that best way to do this is to establish a Resource Development Office (RDO) whose function it is to identify and develop financial resources at the federal, state, local, corporate and philanthropic levels, as well as coordinate and integrate city departments’ grantwriting and grants administration activities. The RDO will generate millions of new dollars to create a healthy city, and importantly, provide more funding for arts programs. I would also look at the allocation of the Hotel Tax Fund to ensure that small and mid-sized arts organizations are getting the needed support, and I will work to rebuild the tourism industry in this city, which has suffered greatly in the last few years. A healthy tourism and convention business keeps the hotels filled, and thereby enriches the Hotel Tax Fund, which is a widely copied model for arts support nationwide. I will provide in-kind support to the extent possible through city planning, zoning and permitting initiatives (for example, ensuring that an appropriate amount of arts/non-profit/community space is a part of any redevelopment plan).
3. Diversity is one of San Francisco’s greatest assets. The Arts Commission will continue to include leaders in the multicultural art organizations who will ensure that multicultural programs get their fair portion of funding. Additionally, the task force’s grant writing team will aggressively pursue the wide state and national opportunities available to multicultural art programs, including grant programs such as “Challenge America” and “Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.” I strongly support plans to revitalize art in the Bayview Hunters Point District, and will make every effort to ensure the following two city-funded projects begin in a timely fashion: The renovation and expansion of the Bayview Opera House into a full-fledged Performing Arts and Multimedia Training Center, dedicated to the promotion of the visual, performing, musical and literary arts, and focusing on preparing intensively preparing young adults for careers in arts-related fields, and; the creation of a Bayview Technological Arts Center, a performing arts and multimedia center to prepare youth to participate more fully in the arts, nurtures creativity and provides neighborhood children and teenagers with challenging arts programs. The Center will include a creative arts and technology studio that provides after-school programs, classroom partnerships, and special projects.
4. Historically, I supported a $657,000 appropriation by Mayor Brown, and a $600,000 appropriation by the Board of Supervisors toward arts supplies and field trips, and music programs, respectively, for our public schools. I co-sponsored Tom Ammiano’s resolution to grant $1.5 million dollars to the California Lawyers for the Arts to provide rent subsidies and down payments for purchasing buildings for art related non-profits. I am the only Supervisor to offer the Workforce Housing legislation the Board, to provide more affordable residences for the many San Franciscans who provide necessary services to the city, including artists, firefighters, nurses, and policemen. I recognize that artists contribute an invaluable service to the city, for the economic and cultural vitality of the city depends on fostering a thriving artistic community. I will initiate plans to ensure that a portion of the new workforce housing units provide local artists with affordable housing, and ensure that San Francisco’s artists can actually afford to live in the city. I will also coordinate efforts between building owners and the art sector to help bring arts back to empty buildings.
5. As public funding for the arts shrinks, small nonprofit arts organizations find themselves spending more and more time on fund development and administration, often to the detriment of their artistic work. As mayor, I will direct the Resource Development Office to ensure that such community-focused arts centers can draw upon professional fundraising support and advice through the city that they could not otherwise provide in-house. As described above, I also will work to provide in-kind support, to enrich the Hotel Tax Fund and to review Tax Fund allocation to ensure that community-focused arts organizations are getting needed support. Not all arts institutions are nonprofits. One of the biggest challenges facing small industrial arts and crafts in San Francisco is maintaining space and support services. I will work with the Planning Department to designate areas where priority is given to businesses that “make things” and to flexible cultural spaces that can house a variety of art functions. Through the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, I will establish an economic development program to support new and expanding arts businesses with financing and technical support. My office will also work to fund a micro-loan program for small business start-ups in the creative arts.
6. Nonprofits will continue to have a voice in arts funding and support policies through the Arts Commission, which includes leaders of nonprofit art organizations. I have also started the process of getting direct input from a broad range of artists and their organizations with about a variety of city arts issues through my campaign’s Arts & Culture Policy Work Group. This group includes over 30 members and has provided me with policy recommendations on arts issues. I will continue this practice of having community policy forums after I am elected mayor.
Tony Ribera
• www.tonyribera4mayor.com/
1. Exposure to art has been denied to many of our K-12 students, since arts education in public schools is nearly always the first subject to be cut. This is a disservice to society since art is an integral part of both human history and contemporary life. At the city government level it is important to work with the School Board to coordinate with local arts organizations such as Education Departments within our art museums and galleries and performing arts centers to create more interaction between public school teachers and profession arts educators.
2. With many great examples of public art in the city, I feel that it is most important to work hand in hand with the Arts Commission to raise private funds for the public display of art. The community arts and education programs must be funded generously with both public and private funds in order to serve all communities within the city.
3. There are many underserved communities within our city that would greatly benefit from museum outreach programs, bringing in students who have not been exposed to art. Though many teachers may only bring their students to see collections or exhibitions that relate directly to the particular curriculum for their specific grade, it would be beneficial to also increase students’ art awareness by exposing them art from their own community or cultural heritage. For example, a group of students who have immigrated from Russia might particularly relate to the Marc Chagall exhibition currently at SFMOMA or a group of Hispanic students might discover their artistic heritage at the Art of the Ancient Maya exhibition that will be at the Legion of Honor next Fall. However, all students, no matter their roots benefit from exposure to the arts, which often awaken in them specific talents.
4. As the former Police Chief my involvement has been minimal.
5. I feel it is important to keep the artist community thriving in San Francisco, despite the ever-rising cost of living. support artists’ open studios programs, which allow artists to unite and exhibit and sell their art to the public within their own workspace. It is also essential to work with neighborhood non-profit organizations, which provide not only exhibition space for local artists but also creative classes for both children and adults in the area. The idea of art as a communal experience is what makes it so appealing. Supporting art centers works to generate new ideas and pride within individuals, and on a larger scale, the entire community.
6. The overall support of the arts in San Francisco is strong but could be stronger. By appealing to new donors and increasing the support of new donors, arts funding must be kept a priority with in the city government, and I would look to the Arts Commission to help me in understanding the needs of the arts community and pledge to support their efforts with continued funding.
Roger Schulke
– www.rogerformayor.com
1. I believe that I am the only candidate with a BFA from the SF Art Institute. So I know the problems facing the Arts and artist of San Francisco, and believe that they should be better supported, and will work to that end. My dream is to make San Francisco the cultural and business center that it used to be. A city where art, business, and cultural diversity blend together like a fine wine. A city where anyone, from any part of the world, can feel at home. A city that the world can fall in love with again, and would again want to visit.
2. As much as I will try to support the arts, my first job as mayor will be to bring the bloated city budget under control. Over the last 8 years the budget has almost doubled, to $5 Billion. This is why everything is so expensive. The city has to collect $6,500 from every citizen. A family of four would have to pay about $26,000. Although not everyone may be paying this directly, they are paying it though increased fees for services like MUNI , or in lower wages. The reason business are closing or leaving is that they can no longer afford the high fees of the city. If the city‚s budget was brought back to 1996 levels, over 30,000 jobs paying over $30,000 could be created. A smaller budget would be a boom to the city, and this alone would increase funding for the arts.
3. The city should be fair to all its citizens. It is not fair that some areas get more money, police protection, or better bus service than other communities. I will work to level the playing field for all communities.
4. I have and supported, art showing of a number of artists over the years. In addition, I have memberships in a number of art related groups. For a time I was on the board of Art Point, which supports the DeYoung and the Legion of Honor.
5. With a smaller city budget, everything will come down in price, and small groups will not need as much help.
6. I will have a monthly open door policy to art groups, so that we can work together in solving the problems faced by these groups. Once the budget is reduced, we will see where funds can be used to help your group.
Jim Reid • sfjimreid@msn.com
No responses provided.
Michael
Denny — www.michaeldenny.net
1. Why stop at public schools. The arts are so important that I’d provide a 100% tax credits to any citizen or business tax payer who supports an art education program in any school.
2. While I believe the arts are very important to San Francisco, it is not City Hall’s job to fund the arts. In fact, I firmly believe that the influence of politics in the arts is a barrier to creative artistic expression. My approach would be to encourage voluntary public support for the arts by supporting contributions with a 100% tax credit for any tax payer who contributes to these programs.
3. It’s not City Hall’s job to decide who gets funded. That is the responsibility of those who enjoy the arts and write the checks. All arts communities would have the same opportunity to raise money and have their donors receive tax credits. As with other goods and services, those who want those art forms will have to support them. Those that cannot get support with a 100% tax credit from City Hall do not have an audience. To those, I suggest that they either find their audience or work harder to produce art that people want.
4. I am a visual art collector and amateur musician. I used to perform in community theater so I especially enjoy places like Theater Artaud and Theater Rhinoceros. I think the best thing I can do for the arts is get out and enjoy them….and support those I especially enjoy by writing checks.
5. Once again, it’s not City Hall’s job to support the arts. That’s the job of San Franciscans and our visitors. As our local economy is in the tank having lost 94,000 jobs last year due to excessive regulation and taxation, we need to get our visitors back. I think the best thing for the arts would be to have the hotel and parking tax repealed to reduce the cost of coming to San Francisco for tourists. We need to get the tourists back into town and into our art centers as our locals are losing jobs and their ability to support the arts as they once were. Of course reducing the cost of government would also have the effect of stimulating our local economy. That would be good for the arts too.
6. I wouldn’t involve them at all. If an art form cannot find support with a 100% tax credit on donations plus their normal revenue from sales, they aren’t presenting art that people want to support. Thank you for sending me in your questionnaire. It’s too bad you chose to exclude me in your forum as I’m the only candidate who actually has a plan to help you that will work. In the increasingly difficult economic times ahead for City Hall, your interests are no match for those of the politically powerful no matter what the other candidates say. I firmly believe your reliance on City Hall as a life preserver for your cause is potentially disastrous. For the sake of our wonderful small, independent, non-profit, neighborhood- and community-focused arts centers, I strongly suggest that you get over it. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work and stop playing politics. Nothing else is going to work. I know that’s not what you want to hear but my campaign is the only one that’s being honest with you.
Mayoral Arts Forum supporting organizations:
AfroSolo
Arts Democratic Club
Artspan
Black Artist Contemporary Cultural Experience
Bonfire Madigan
Brava for Women in the Arts!
Business Arts Council
Campo Santo
Citizen’s Arts Network
City Lights Bookstore
Clarion Alley Mural Project
Creativity Explored
Crowded Fire Theatre Company
Cultural Odyssey
Dance Mission
Dancers’ Group
Encore Theatre Company
Experimental Performance Institute
Flyaway Productions
Galeria de la Raza
Headlands Center for the Arts
Kearny Street Workshop
La Pocha Nostra
Local Patron
Locus 1640 Post
Luggage Store and 509 Cultural Center
Media Alliance
Mission Alliance for Students of the Arts
National Asian American Telecommunications Association
Noir Records
Playwrights Foundation
Pond
San Francisco Black Film Festival
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
San Francisco Museum Modern Art
SF Camerawork
Small Press Traffic
SomArts Cultural Center
Southern Exposure
Spanganga
Star Mountain Art
The Budget Gallery
The Lab
The Latino Arts Network
The Magic Theatre
The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra
The San Francisco Art Institute
The San Francisco Foundation
The San Francisco International Arts Festival
The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation
The Walter and Elise Haas Fund
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Thick Description
Unconditional Theatre Company
Word for Word
World Music Festival
WritersCorps
WTC Healing Project
Yerba Buena Arts and Events
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Youth Speaks
The Zellerbach Family Fund
Z Space
Tags: Arts & Culture
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