[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551764,"mediaKeyId","5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630","parentId",5327940,"title","Arts Commission pauses change to grant advance policy after audit findings, delays implementation one year","audioSeconds",2491,"startMs",1481000,"endMs",3972000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630&start=1481&end=3972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630/thumbnail_1481000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551764/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Arts-Commission-pauses-change-to-grant-advance-policy-after-audit-findings-delays-implementation-one-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551764-b032e6ec2b472f5322cf925f4c9c604a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949331&Signature=HNWoz8Rt3jlpJmi2NSyIbFj0SVDo~yvC2-Dtx5557LF8ysb7iAU-LM1T2X2DBtxACh7VA1Uwo-BlhhOweMZgFO9WKgDkYaZLcXDXs9iwGsjgT9tvO0gxoQSMC2xbK1GGThAHCHdQW~cw9E-ouqy2rGrmufFxpsslG6TUX7NCuc5BrF5fy7jO1L~XWPsa2SdsKPA0CqJsiYVq7Qo2J8y7gydZci5Mompdug-Hj538qZnSZiEd-~pqmxVdOcQ9TwBZAiZGaUsBWoAtl~JoAX3KgVHZ3ZS2XV-CooQFFocVgpjhEvGo6z07bLzOhcgArdeAyrCNizRym87pQFouoR4liA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-07-07T00:00:00Z","article","The San Francisco Arts Commission on July 7 heard a staff presentation on proposed changes to the department's advanced payment (grant advance) policy and was told the department has agreed with the Controller's Office to delay implementing any changes for one year to give grantees time to prepare.

Deputy Director of Finance and Administration Sarah Hollenbeck told commissioners that a Controller's Office post-audit of the department's nonprofit contracting identified the Arts Commission's historic advance practices as noncompliant with city policies. Hollenbeck said the department negotiated with the Controller's Office over several months and reached an understanding that implementation of any new advance policy would be postponed until the next grant cycle so proposed changes can be included in grant guidelines and communicated to applicants.

Why it matters: the department makes grants that range from roughly $30,000 to several hundred thousand dollars and historically provided initial advances ranging from about 50% to 90% of a grant. Cultural centers and small arts organizations said during public comment that a move to a reimbursement-first model or significantly smaller advances would create operational hardship and could force layoffs, cuts to programming and higher rental costs for nonprofit renters of city-owned facilities.

Hollenbeck summarized the history and the negotiation: the Controller's Office initially proposed a 10% advance, staff negotiated that up to 25% and then to 50%, and staff ultimately secured an agreement to delay changes so grantees would be informed in advance. \"We ultimately agreed with the Controller's Office'that we would delay implementation of any changes to our historic practices in order to give the department time to include any changes to the advance policy to communicate the new advance policy ... and delay the implementation of those changes until the next grant cycle,\" Hollenbeck said.

Commissioners and many public commenters said the process and timing caused confusion and distress in the arts community. Commissioner Deborah Walker said she learned about the negotiations only after a news article was published: \"I found out about this by reading the newspaper article,\" she said, and urged that staff use the year of delay to convene cultural center directors and other stakeholders to plan a transition that avoids harming community partners.

Multiple cultural center leaders told the commission that recent budget reductions and the proposed payment changes together threaten staffing and programming. Maria Jensen, executive director of SOMA Arts Cultural Center, said the 10% cut to the SFAC grant for Summer Arts represents a loss of about $89,000 to her organization and that staff had not received timely written communication about the reduction. \"The 10% cut for Summer Arts represents a loss of $89,000 ... We have to contract operations and reduce an already slim staff,\" Jensen said.

Jayna McCrae, managing director at SOMA Arts, described direct operational impacts: \"This cut for us means dissolving 1 to 2 more roles on our already small team ... It means producing 3 exhibitions instead of 4,\" she said. Other commenters, including Vinay Patel of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center and representatives from Cell/Mart and other cultural centers, urged that grantees be included in any policy working groups.

Staff explained current practice for the immediate term. Hollenbeck said the department has \"reverted back to our prior practices\" for grants currently being executed: each grant category will follow the disbursement schedule that applied prior to this review, meaning some categories will still receive larger initial advances (for example, some categories historically paid 75% up front). Hollenbeck said grant periods typically run one to two years, and longer grants have interim reporting tied to subsequent advances.

Budget context: Director of Cultural Affairs Ralph Remington told the commission that the department faces a reduced hotel tax outlook driving part of the grant reductions. Hollenbeck said the hotel tax in the Arts Commission's FY26 budget is about $2 million lower than in FY25, which contributes to the need to reduce grant totals for FY26.

Next steps and directions: commissioners asked staff to use the one-year delay to engage cultural centers, nonprofit grantees and agency counsel, and requested working sessions and clearer regular updates. The commission chair said staff should bring proposals for inclusive forums that comply with the Sunshine Ordinance.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of June minutes: motion by Commissioner Susie Farris, second by Commissioner Walker; result: approved unanimously (ayes: 10).
- Consent calendar: motion by Commissioner Walker, second by Commissioner Hakimi; result: approved unanimously (ayes: 10).

The commission did not vote on a new advance policy at the meeting; staff characterized the agreement with the Controller's Office as an administrative understanding to postpone implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Jul 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The San Francisco Arts Commission on July 7 heard a staff presentation on proposed changes to the department's grant advance policy and was told staff and the Controller's Office agreed to delay implementing any changes for one year to give grantees time to prepare.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551754,"Commission committees report: Jackson Playground renovation approved for Phase 2; airport murals and suspended sculpture selected",760,5272000,6032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630&start=5272&end=6032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630/thumbnail_5272000.jpg","/articles/6551754/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-committees-report-Jackson-Playground-renovation-approved-for-Phase-2-airport-murals-and-suspended-sculpture-selected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551754-2338ae2593c016f8dd49a6b6f28969c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949331&Signature=mvFH9DmAxRUFM0eKR-nnxFFAOjYjC76YPPESAakpuptlqbyfktg3zo5zivMv8mtqjolIZyennzD0mg4nCK787XyUKwJmaWOy6pRTJJN~BSocpNo71Qby5dyHxM3E6Iw5bnPKFL9W-mVjHNvBqvHD651Tb0bcJL58R-VhM5Cx44YBX8piqEOiptc8qU0Oq-GvTm7URS14HkDJ6lG9hYgslfnCxQULaNVzV86r36uHiZ0n0iY8HCikHXAErVJaxZxzOOwVR8A10bvZbnoccPovItp6kW5ZTAJmzP7rFx6T-fzpoF9kvfd09lHmoLna7c3dgJ-9f14kBZcfrIToDYdKXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arts Commission received committee reports on July 7 about park design and public art projects across the city.

Civic Design Review (CDR) report: Deborah Walker, chair of the Civic Design Review committee, said the Jackson Playground renovation advanced through Phase 2 review. Key elements described by staff and commissioners included new playground equipment designed for children of all ages and abilities, a multi-use sports court, shaded picnic areas, upgrades to a historic clubhouse and water-sensitive landscape strategies. The project team estimated completion of design development by the end of 2026 with groundbreaking targeted for spring 2027. Commissioner Carney noted strong community engagement during review and the project's educational gardens for neighborhood children.

Visual Arts Committee report: Visual Arts Committee Chair Susie Farris reported selection decisions for several public-art opportunities. The committee selected Los Angeles-based artist Iman Oregiran for a two-part mosaic mural on the Superhighway integrated wall; the east wall will use colors inspired by morning sky while the west wall will reflect evening tones. The committee also selected Pei White for a suspended metal installation beneath airport skylights; the proposed work uses interlinked aluminum elements to create a large, dynamic suspended image (installation slated for fall 2027). Staff also reported successful conservation and relocation of Bruce Porter's Invocation, damaged in a windstorm, to the Palou/Agassiz Recreation Center (Palou/Agassiz location reported as Palaga Recreation Center in staff remarks) in the Portola neighborhood.

Commissioners praised staff for community engagement, conservation work and attention to landscaping and climate-sensitive plantings. There were no formal committee votes recorded at the full commission meeting beyond the committee reports.

Ending: Staff will proceed with design development and conservation steps; the commission noted the importance of continued community involvement and large-tree plantings to provide shade and climate resilience.","Commissioners received updates July 7 from Civic Design Review and the Visual Arts Committee: Jackson Playground moved to design-development with a 2026 completion target for design and planned 2027 groundbreaking; airport mural and suspended sculpture opportunities were awarded to named artists.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551759,"Director outlines strategic plan, announces $10M+ in grants and a cross-agency planning effort",634,4056000,4690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630&start=4056&end=4690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327940-c084d6e44f005c1a04b539b89deb2630/thumbnail_4056000.jpg","/articles/6551759/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Director-outlines-strategic-plan-announces-10M-in-grants-and-a-cross-agency-planning-effort","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551759-a637bfebc7eb07110cd654948ca50953/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949331&Signature=VyyCNWMNgUV7~fppm8-AYC62DBbsX8Kna2GsffZAhqfW1zmPIrqKX2crbquZpL1Z51N~JBrNYlCmBQnIffmXzhnXK16~TrBEkusolRRmXpGoFK~J0~R3s-Ot001kXJCY29uY7ysM0cwKwZGzYJuf-VxLwspf7lhQiRMxYGI0LTjX1EaHUsSNM1sbZXznww1~JcAiQmOBntdcNyQ0K0fbVdv~PkegkyzokMZpizfE64gFiHKSlKLUKfyFqmGVMrZaH8zTUmH91kLAEe-DO1fDZrU1KvMu9HguLUqjG0fpF2RlOema2Y~bfR4i0NJkYp0IcxQpp5ixngMjnjMBUkwH1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ralph Remington, director of cultural affairs, used the commission's July 7 meeting to summarize recent activity and to describe a multi-agency strategic planning process that will include the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts and the Film Commission.

Remington said the city announced its FY25-26 grantee cohort on July 1, awarding over $10 million to 151 local individual artists, arts nonprofits and cultural centers, including nearly $3 million to cultural centers. He noted that nearly half of the artist awardees were first-time recipients.

On planning, Remington said the commission has engaged consultant AMS Planning and Research to develop a five-year strategic plan and that the mayor's office has proposed a cross-agency effort to unite the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts and the Film Commission under a shared strategic framework. \"We will now focus on the new entity as a whole and involve all three of our agencies to ensure our work moving forward is aligned to better serve the arts community,\" Remington said.

Remington also reviewed recent programs and staffing notes, including partner events and staff transitions, and public programs and exhibitions currently on view at the SFAC galleries.

Commissioner Deborah Walker and other commissioners asked that the commission be included in joint planning conversations and proposed holding joint meetings with other commissions and staff so commissioners can weigh in on policy and community impacts. Remington and commissioners said the process will include broad community engagement, listening sessions and charrettes, and that dates and formats will be announced as planning proceeds.

Remington warned of an ongoing fiscal squeeze: he told commissioners the department expects difficult budget choices in the coming fiscal year and said he would return with updates as the budget process unfolds.

Ending: Commissioners requested more direct engagement in the cross-agency planning process and joint meetings with Grants for the Arts and the Film Commission; staff said they would forward requests about joint meeting cadence to the mayor's office and the lead planner for the initiative.","Director Ralph Remington told the commission that the department awarded more than $10 million to 151 artists and organizations for FY25-26 and that the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts and the Film Commission will be engaged in a joint strategic planning process to align work across the three agencies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Arts Commission pauses change to grant advance policy after audit findings, delays implementation one year

Commission committees report: Jackson Playground renovation approved for Phase 2; airport murals and suspended sculpture selected

Director outlines strategic plan, announces $10M+ in grants and a cross-agency planning effort