The Washington Money Pittvilion

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Not only has the WP been successful at not telling the public a damn thing about what is going on in their Development Office (You know, the entity responsible for raising money for the joint) They continue to bilk SF taxpayers each year for ‘Stuff’.

In the Mayor’s recommended 2014 CIP Plan the WP is asking for $1,288,665.

BREAKDOWN:

Building Improvements $378,719 (I wonder if Operations Manager Jon Loos remembered to include ‘Labor’ in these numbers)

Science Center Exhibits $372,346 (They have been after this for years, I think the first time they requested this expenditure it was after the place was only open about 3-4 years)

Security System $180,000 (I wonder what has been keeping the building ‘Secure’ for the first 13 years?)

AVV Equipment $108,550

Cinedome seat replacement $86,000 (I find this one a bit ironic because during the council’s work session Director Larry Toll said the seats needed to be replaced because they were worn out and can’t even really be cleaned anymore, which is understandable, but one of the main reasons the WP didn’t want to do Laser Light shows of hard rock bands in the cinedome was because they felt audience members would destroy the seats. What a perfect opportunity to put in more durable seating and bring in the hard rock light shows!)

Cinedome Control System $78,500 (Like I said above about the security system, what’s been ‘controlling’ the cinedome up to this point?)

Lighting and Console – Phase II $59,550

Projection System $25,000 (What a bargain! Maybe you need to tell those folks over at the State Theater where they can get a $25,000 projection system instead of a $64,000 one . . . wait . . . it’s not the State’s money, so what do they care? Of course the $25,000 isn’t the Pavilion’s either 😉

A lot to pack in – SF City Council’s Working Session

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwblvqir-s[/youtube]

Wow, just looked at the agenda for this meeting tomorrow, are they going to also try to solve world hunger?

Call To Order

2. CIP Presentation by David Bixler, Budget Analyst
3. Discussion of Specific Projects Requested by City Council
A. Project #11007 Street Maintenance Bldg/Satellite Facility – $2,150,000
B. Water Department – General Questions
C. Projects #14038/#14042 East & West Side Dog Parks – $497,000 each
D. Project #14030 Aquatic Facilities Development – $19,475,0005 Minute Break
E. Washington Pavilion – General Questions
F. Libraries – General Questions
4. Open Discussion

5. Presentation of 2014 City Council Division’s Budget

WashPav General Questions? LOL! I have a list.


‘Someone’ finally responds to my Pavilion posts. Please send her flowers.

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Comment from this thread:

I agree that it is good for an organization to be transparent, inclusive, and in with the best intentions for the community. It is also good for bloggers to be FACT finders instead of hunting for loose accusations without backing them up.
#1. I know that WP VAC is a part of the  American Alliance of Museums, and that both take critical concern in the deaccession and accession of collections. Under the AAM code of ethics and guidelines, deaccession is NOT a light matter and would come under scrutiny of a board for how it happened and how the money was used to access new pieces.
#2. It is sad that being free is the best thing you can think of such an incredible cultural center. Have you researched the executive director, the board members and all they think and do for the community? The exhibit schedule and programming are always trying to include the entire community in some way.
#3. Sometimes turnover is a good thing. How do you think it is possible to get new ideas and input without new brains, education and experience?Again transparency is nice, but it should also be entirely up to employer if they think it is necessary or just a matter of mobility.
#4. All nonprofits must submit their form I990 to IRS and make it public. These can be accessed from Guidestar.com.  It is a common misunderstanding that the title “nonprofit” means that there can be no revenue or excess income. While the government gives easements, it does not give-out money without a lot of hard work. Many museums DO rely on their community to keep them afloat and some museums are extremely more costly. There is a constant struggle for survival and I am thankful that the WP VAC is so affordable!
#5. How do you think the WP VAC could better connect with all parts of the community? How do you think they could they engage all the diverse talents, desires, cultures, demographics? If you ran it, what would your priorities be and how would you solve the problems?

I am not trying to be abrasive, anti-transparency, anti-criticism. I am just trying to help solve a problem.
If you’d like to discuss it further, please feel free to email at md923@drexel.edu

My response;

First, I want to apologize to you Meagan, you must be the lastest Pavilion intern/Rich Kid of a board member/artsy-fartsy idealist recruited to defend the Pavilion’s practices against the big bad evil blogger, Detroit Lewis. I say these words in the kindest of ways, truly I do. You will recover.

Remember, Nan Baker, long time VAC advocate and donor was the first to throw up the red flag about the VAC charging admission, not I. But I’m sure it is much easier poking me in the eye then it is her, especially if you have a checking account at her family’s bank.

So Let’s talk FACTS.

#1 I never said the Pavilion was using deaccession as a way to make money, I clearly said,

“It’s not always a ‘bad’ thing. But if an institution like WP is using deaccession as a way to raise money for say the Great Hall or the Science Center, this should concern the public. I have not heard the Pavilion is doing this, but I wouldn’t put it past them.”

The Key word here is ‘IF’. All I am saying is that they are ‘On Notice’

#2, Have I researched the ED and BM’s. LOL. You realize I have put this institution under a microscope since it’s inception. Why? Because I want it to succeed. Do you think I worked for them, and donated to Art’s Night for several years because I wanted to see the WP and the VAC fail?! Give me a break!

“The exhibit schedule and programming are always trying to include the entire community in some way.”

I would agree, and by remaining FREE to the public, they can continue to do that. I have been to a vast array of art museums across the country, and have no problem paying an admission fee, in fact this weekend, I am visiting one of my favorites. And I think it is perfectly fine for the WP to charge for ‘bigger exhibits’ but we are certainly NOT the Denver Art Museum or the Institute in Mpls. The regional galleries at the VAC need to remain free, not just because it is the right thing to do, but it was a promise from the WP to do so when the public voted to approve the facility, something I voted YES on.

#3

“Sometimes turnover is a good thing.”

I would agree, the VP of Operations should have been terminated years ago.

The issue though is why does someone leave? The Development Director left under what circumstances? Do you know? I know that I have heard a lot of rumors, wouldn’t you think it would be in the WP’s best interest to tell us the ‘REAL’ reason why? It’s not like she was the janitor of the 4th floor restrooms. She was responsible for grants for the entire facility.

#4

“There is a constant struggle for survival and I am thankful that the WP VAC is so affordable!”

It is affordable because the WP has done successful fundraisers for the facility over the past 12 years! It’s FREE, how wonderful is that? Oh, I mean, it was free. Donors, including myself, have been adamant about this, the VAC must remain free of charge except for larger/unique exhibits. The WP has gone back on their promise. Period.

#5. “How do you think the WP VAC could better connect with all parts of the community? How do you think they could they engage all the diverse talents, desires, cultures, demographics? If you ran it, what would your priorities be and how would you solve the problems?”

What a great question. I have said from the beginning of the institution, you must find ways to engage the ‘entire’ community, not just those who already seek the arts, like you and me. By keeping the VAC FREE, the WP is doing that.

I remember when I had my individual exhibit at the VAC, I would go up there on Saturdays and listen to people comment about my art, I remember one Saturday an old farmer in coveralls (who would have NEVER paid an admission fee to the VAC) cracking a joke about one of my pieces. I had to run out of the gallery I was laughing so hard. Whether he knew it or not, he ‘GOT’ the piece. And that is what it is all about. The regular Joe is not going to seek out ‘ART’ especially if he has to pay for it, but if an opportunity presents itself, he may just engage. This isn’t about the ‘Specials’ this is about everyone, and if the WP only wants to cater to them, fine, stop taking my tax dollars and do what you want to, don’t give a shit. But as long as you are sucking on my tit, you must provide me a service. Tough Titty.

“I am not trying to be abrasive, anti-transparency, anti-criticism. I am just trying to help solve a problem.”

Well Meagan, that problem could be solved, but it would require a good ripping off of the bandaid, and alot of disinfectant.

While the Pavilion goes back on it’s FREE Visual Arts Center promise to taxpayers, city officials sit on their hands.

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Not one single city official has spoken out against the VAC charging admission to its regular exhibits, at least not publicly. Not even a peep from the mayor or a city council member. Yes, the WP’s management team is a separate entity, and can make its own decisions, but when it comes to fees and services, especially when they have received millions in subsidies from taxpayers (and the city owns the facility and is responsible for maintenance) you would think at least ONE of them would be vocal about the decision to charge admission.

There is other reasons we should be concerned, besides the fact the WP has gone back on their promise to taxpayers, it is how they do their accounting at the Pavilion, throwing everything in one pot, and robbing Peter to pay Paul when one of the entities is not doing so well. In this 2007 audit of the Pavilion by city auditors they said this about their accounting practices (basically pointing out their accounting is only reviewed by one person) (DOC PDF; WPIA )

3. A lack of segregation of duties in the accounting and financial functions requires more involvement and oversight from the Board of Trustees according to the external auditor. In order to assist the Board with these oversight responsibilities, we recommend that the Board consider using the City’s internal auditors for limited audit procedures. These procedures might involve a review of selected bank statements, journal entries, accounts payable checks and other accounting information. The specific procedures could be done on an unannounced basis as appropriate. These activities would be specific procedures and would not be considered an audit. These activities could probably be accomplished in one or two days each year. We believe that this assistance would be in the best interests of both the City and Washington Pavilion Management.

While I am sure this helps the WP to ‘control’ financial information, it shows a lack of transparency from an institution that receives public funds. Not good. In other words, we may never know the specifics of where the Pavilion gets other funds, such as donations. We also may not know which entities are bringing in the most revenue.

What makes this even more scary in light of the admission fee at the VAC is what other ‘financial’ practices has the Pavilion been practicing under the radar to raise money for the facility?

Some museums sell off some of their permanent art collections to raise money which is called ‘deaccession‘.

Usually this is done to raise money for better pieces or needed upgrades to the museum. It’s not always a ‘bad’ thing. But if an institution like WP is using deaccession as a way to raise money for say the Great Hall or the Science Center, this should concern the public. I have not heard the Pavilion is doing this, but I wouldn’t put it past them.

If they are, donors who have either given money or actual artworks to the VAC’s permanent collection should be concerned. Many times people will give artwork to a museum when they are retiring and downsizing, and they usually give the artwork for a couple of reasons 1) they hope the artwork that they have enjoyed for years can be enjoyed by others, and most importantly be SAFE from the FREE market and 2) It is a pretty nice tax write-off.

The more I hear about the ‘changes’ taking place at the WP, the more suspicious I become. I’m starting to wonder why I am the only one asking these questions while the city says nothing.

The Best Part about the Washington Pavilion will be no longer starting July 1st.

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Photo from my art reception at the VAC ‘In Passing’

I have often felt the Visual Arts Center providing FREE exhibits is what made the Pavilion unique. Oh, sure, you betcha, museums across the country charge a fee to their visual arts center, but what is different about the Pavilion is our demographics. The Pavilion has gotten a reputation over the years for not catering to the whole community, and this latest move proves it. I have often argued that leaving the VAC free would attract people who normally wouldn’t ‘look at art’ or attend the Pavilion and the FREE gallery as an asset to our community. While I have often disagreed with the facility (now more then ever with the recent departure of the Development Director) I have supported the Arts Night exhibit and fundraiser in the past and have had an individual exhibit and have been in several joint exhibits at the VAC. The Pavilion really is closing the last remaining door to the general public as a whole with this move.

But there is also other questions that need to be answered;

Nan Baker, interim executive director of the Sioux Falls Arts Council, said she is worried that the arts center board had lost sight of the purpose of the group’s two largest fundraisers — the Sidewalk Arts Festival and the Arts Nights. She said their purpose was to ensure the arts center would remain free.

“When we go out and solicit donations, we do so on the premise that (the Visual Arts Center) is free and open to the public,” Baker said. “If that’s not occurring, we need to have the conversation about what those fundraisers are for.”

Nan could not have said it better. What are the fundraisers, the grants and individual donations for? Because we know one thing, there isn’t a lot of ‘work related’ activity going on behind the big purple walls . . . ahem.

And the VAC director, who couldn’t direct a class of 5-year olds on how to open a can of play dough had this to say;

“We’re ready to do it; we’re ready to take on the next level,” Merhib said. “It’s not about money; it’s about putting value to the art.”

Taking what to the ‘next level’? Banning all ‘regular folk’ from patronizing your facility? And that is really the irony in all this. Imagine someone coming to your facility for the first time, walking in and enjoying the FREE gallery, then deciding to take in a movie or buy a ticket to a concert.

The Pavilion is really missing the big picture on this one, but sadly, no surprise here.