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File #: 25-689    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Memo Status: Passed
File created: 6/24/2025 Departments: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 4
On agenda: 8/12/2025 Final action: 8/12/2025
Title: Recommendation for an appointment and a reappointment to the San Mateo County Arts Commission, representing District 4, each for a term ending December 31, 2028: A) Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, reappointment for a first full term; and B) Anna Westendorf, appointment for an initial term.
Sponsors: Lisa Gauthier
Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority

To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, District 4
Subject: Appointment and Reappointment to the Arts Commission

RECOMMENDATION:
title
Recommendation for an appointment and a reappointment to the San Mateo County Arts Commission, representing District 4, each for a term ending December 31, 2028:

A) Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, reappointment for a first full term; and

B) Anna Westendorf, appointment for an initial term.

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BACKGROUND:
The Arts Commission was created to promote and encourage the arts, to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors, to prepare and update the County's strategic and cultural plan, and act as a liaison with arts organizations in order to ensure collaboration and coordination related to culture and art activities in San Mateo County.

DISCUSSION:
Anna Westendorf is being recommended to represent District 4 on the Arts Commission for an initial term ending December 31, 2028, coinciding with District 4 Supervisor Lisa Gauthier's first term in office. The seat was previously held by Jeanne Heise whose appointive term ended December 31, 2024 coinciding with outgoing District 4 Supervisor Warren Slocum's term-end.

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh has served on the Arts Commission since April 2023 and is being recommended for reappointment of her first full 4-year term effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028, coinciding with Supervisor Gauthier's first term in office.

Anna Westendorf is a Bay Area native with a background in theatre arts, writing, dance, and arts education. In college, she double-majored in journalism and theatre arts at Northeastern University and her writing has appeared in the Boston Globe, SF Weekly, and others. She currently lives in Redwood City and serves as Chair for the Redwood City Arts Commission and has previously served on the Board of Directors for Brava! for Women in the Arts in San Franc...

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