FOSAS PUBLIC MEETING
At 7pm on Monday, April 26, FOSAS held a public meeting for the Sharon Art Studio stakeholders.
With the many changes occurring that affect both the Studio and the non-profit, it seemed
important to pass correct information along to our community.
FOSAS was very grateful to have in attendance two important representatives of the San
Francisco Recreation and Parks Department: Ana Alvarez, Superintendant of Citywide Services
and Chris Boettcher, Cultural Arts Manager. There are some topics that FOSAS cannot speak to
and so it was very helpful to have them there to address those concerns.
Ana Alvarez gave a brief presentation about the restructuring of the SFR&P department. She
noted that a full 3 hour version of the complete presentation can be viewed on Channel 26.
She also provided hand-outs from the presentation and these handouts are available at the
reception counter in the studio’s main room.
Part of the restructuring plans include the elimination of a civil service job category. Unfortunately, Lynn Wood, one of SAS’s core instructors, is enrolled in this category and so she is in danger of losing her job. Even before the floor was opened up for public questions and comments, the attendees of the meeting were raising concerns and showing their support for Lynn. Obviously, there was not to be a resolution to this issue that night, but hopefully the message was clear that the majority of those in the room did not want to lose Lynn. A version of the information I presented at the meeting follows below:
THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS FOR FOSAS
About the Sharon Art program: The City of San Francisco started the art facility in the late
1960’s and was solely responsible for its operations until 1991 when the Friends of Sharon Art
Studio was created. Then as now, the city budget was experiencing a shortfall and the non-profit
was formed in order to purchase needed supplies and equipment for the studio.
Shortly after the birth of the non-profit, the SFR&P studio director retired. SFR&P had no
intention to fill this vacant position thus jeopardizing the success of the studio. FOSAS stepped
up and hired a director responsible not only for management of the non-profit’s activities, but
also for maintaining the operations of the studio.
Because FOSAS has run the program for so long, the general public has sometimes had trouble
distinguishing between SFR&P and FOSAS programming and responsibilities. The Sharon Art
Studio is part of the recreation offered by the SFR&P. The building is owned and maintained by
the city. The Sharon Art Studio is also graced with 8 SFR&P teachers who work the equivalent of
6 full time teachers. They primarily teach the core disciplines offered: Glass, Ceramics, Drawing,
and Youth classes.
FOSAS supplements the program by offering various workshops and classes. Most recently,
FOSAS has become responsible for the metal arts department.
Because the FOSAS Executive Director and supporting staff have manned the upstairs office
for so long, there are often misconceptions that FOSAS is in charge. All comments, questions, or
problems, whether they are FOSAS or SFR&P related issues, were mostly directed to and fielded
by the FOSAS staff.
SFR&P hopes to finally place an on-site supervisor here at the studio. With new city personnel in
place, FOSAS should be relieved of some of the responsibilities it has shouldered all of these years.
MOU You may hear discussion about the “MOU.” Let me explain what this is. Because SFR&P also intends to collect the money for FOSAS classes and workshops, it is important to FOSAS that a “Memo of Understanding” be drafted between the two partners. The Memo of Understanding – or
MOU- will also help outline the responsibilities of each party as well as be a financial agreement. FOSAS has been engaged in this process for a few years now. We have complied with each request along the way. The FOSAS board worked long and hard to draft a strategic plan. We have also just completed an audit by an independent firm – and I am happy to tell you that we received a very good report. It is our desire to complete the MOU process within the next few months.
REVENUE CHANGES During these meetings with SFR&P to discuss the MOU and the future of the Sharon Art Studio, FOSAS was told that we would no longer be given the revenue from the Art in the Park program or any other youth class taught by a SFR&P teacher. In addition, FOSAS
can no longer collect the “operations fees” associated with many of the classes. Based on the 09-10 budget, SFRP-based revenue made up 34% of the income budget. Over a third!
REGARDING ART IN THE PARK AND OTHER YOUTH REVENUE As stated earlier, shortly after the birth of the non-profit, the SFR&P studio director retired. FOSAS hired a director to not only manage the organizations activities, but to perform the duties necessary to maintain the operations of the studio programming. It was recognized by SFR&P that FOSAS was providing the administrative support and so it was agreed that the revenue generated from the Art In The Park program and other youth classes would be retained by the non-profit. Recently, it was announced by SFR&P that the “handshake deals of the past” would no longer be recognized. SFR&P is reclaiming all revenue generated by classes taught by SFR&P personnel.
OPERATIONS FEE The other source of income removed from our budget is the “operations fee.” In order to cover the cost of materials and supplies as well as to support the administration, an operations fee was charged alongside the class fee. SFR&P is confident that it can now provide the
supplies needed to effectively run the classes. It should be noted that most of the equipment in the studio was purchased by FOSAS and is on loan to SFR&P. FOSAS intends to continue to help maintain this equipment – especially if time is an important factor in the repair.
MORE RESOURCES The loss of these revenues means that FOSAS must concentrate on other resources. To cover the costs of scholarships, art materials, equipment repairs, publicity, and administration, FOSAS is active in the field of development. Income is earned through workshops and class fees, membership fees, and fundraising events. To supplement earned income sources, grant writing is an important part of the development program. The studio also gathers resources in the form of in-kind donations and volunteer time.
FOSAS has continued to stay true to its mission and recently we have: Purchased the majority of art supplies and equipment–Ben worked hard to win a $4,200.grant for new safety equipment necessary to the metal arts department.
· Enhanced the programming by offering numerous classes to broaden the scope of art interests–45% of the programming offered last year was FOSAS generated programming
· Awarded scholarships to ensure accessibility–As of the third quarter, FOSAS had awarded 20 scholarships (60% for SFR&P classes and 40% for FOSAS classes)
· Promoted the program to the general public–Thank you to all of volunteers who distribute the catalogs by hand to venues throughout the city. Last year FOSAS represented the studio at both the Cole Valley Fair and the Inner Sunset Farmers’ Market and most recently we hosted an art activity table for the local Upper Haight Farmers’ market.
· Provided administrative support for the entire program–Even when SFR&P is able to place an on-site supervisor at the studio, FOSAS will still collaborate to insure that the quality programming is maintained and do our best to continue to provide interesting workshops and classes.
DIRECTOR’S JOB We are currently searching for a new Executive Director. Ben Shockey is acting as Interim Director until the end of June.The job has been posted on Idealist.org and candidate review will begin on May 10. For a detailed job description, please contact the board. The FOSAS board views these recent changes as an opportunity to refine our focus to one that best serves the community. FOSAS wants to understand what you would like to receive from the studio programming and from the non-profit. Please feel free to contact the board at fosasboard@gmail.com or leaving a note in the letterbox for Susan Strolis, Board president.
