U.S. Senators Urge Protection for Federal Art Collection Amid Building Sales
On Wednesday, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Chuck Schumer sent a letter to the General Services Administration expressing concerns about the management of the federal Fine Arts Collection. They specifically highlighted risks to murals by Philip Guston and Ben Shahn located in the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building in Washington, D.C., which is among 46 properties marked for accelerated sale. The senators questioned how artworks would be preserved after ownership transfers to private entities, accusing the GSA of mismanagement and requesting detailed plans and documentation. The building's sale was initiated under the previous administration as a cost-cutting measure.
Key facts
- Senators Whitehouse and Schumer sent a letter to GSA administrator Ed Forst on Wednesday
- The GSA oversees over 26,000 government-owned artworks, including pieces by notable artists
- 46 federal buildings with artworks are identified for accelerated disposal
- The Wilbur J. Cohen Building contains murals by Ben Shahn and Philip Guston related to Social Security
- The senators have requested documentation on art protection plans for sold properties
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- General Services Administration
- U.S. Senate
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- Rhode Island
- New York
Sources
- ARTnews —