U.S. Congress Introduces PRESERVE Act to Protect Publicly Commissioned Art
On July 14, Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) introduced the Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression (PRESERVE) Act that would establish a procedure to ensure that publicly commissioned art is protected and preserved during the federal building disposal process.
The bill would require the General Services Administration (GSA) to, among other things, convene a committee of experts to develop and implement a plan to preserve publicly commissioned artwork of buildings included in the disposal process and ensure artwork is accessible to the public.
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“Publicly commissioned art should never become collateral damage when federal buildings are sold or otherwise disposed of,” said Rep. Titus. “It is critical that we establish a process to protect these national treasures and ensure the public has full access to the 26,000 works of art exhibited in museums and federal buildings around the country, no matter who sits in the Oval Office. Art commissioned by the federal government is a vital part of our national heritage and deserves to be preserved for future generations.” “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, preservation of our Nation’s rich history and culture is essential,” said Rep. Doggett. “Many federal buildings like the Wilbur J. Cohen Building contain precious artworks that provide a visual history of the struggle, opposition, and ultimately of progress across generations of Americans. The PRESERVE Act (Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression) will protect these treasures, because art is aspiration, and protecting it is how we live up to our own.” Main Image: Cohen Building |