Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances ordinance to commission Maya Angelou work and set 30% women representation goal
Summary
The committee forwarded legislation directing the Arts Commission to install a Maya Angelou work at the main library and establishing a city goal that at least 30% of nonfictional figures in public works be women, creating a fund for design and maintenance; sponsors said the measure would improve representation and monitoring.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee voted Sept. 26 to move forward with an ordinance that directs the Arts Commission to erect a work of art commemorating Maya Angelou at the Main Library, sets a city policy goal that at least 30 percent of nonfictional public figures depicted on city'owned property be women, and creates a public'private fund for the design, construction and maintenance of such works.
Supervisor Stephanie, the sponsor, told the committee the initiative is intended to address long'standing underrepresentation of women in public art and commemorations. "Children...should see themselves in our history and public works of art," she said, arguing the measure would help future generations recognize women's accomplishments.
Elizabeth Newman of the Department on the Status of Women said her department supported the amendments to broaden references from "statue" to the more general "work of art" and to establish monitoring of representation across departments. Vice Chair Supervisor Ronan, a cosponsor, referenced national efforts led by Rosie Rios and the "30/30/30" idea for increasing women's representation on corporate boards and in government.
The committee adopted amendments and moved the item forward with a positive recommendation. Sponsors and staff said department reporting dates were updated in the amendment language; the measure will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for further action.
