On Wednesday, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) addressed a letter to Ed Forst, the administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), raising concerns about the management of the agency's Fine Arts Program and its extensive collection.
The GSA oversees a remarkable array of over 26,000 artworks, including murals, paintings, and sculptures created by renowned artists such as Mark Rothko, Louise Nevelson, Jacob Lawrence, and Philip Guston.
In their correspondence, the senators highlighted that the GSA has earmarked 46 buildings for "accelerated disposal," a process that could hasten the sale of properties housing significant artworks.
Particularly alarming for the senators is the fate of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which features several murals celebrating the Social Security Act of 1935, a cornerstone of New Deal legislation. Among these are Ben Shahn's series titled The Meaning of Social Security, which portrays societal challenges prior to the New Deal, followed by panels illustrating a more hopeful vision. Additionally, the building showcases Guston's mural, Reconstruction and Well-Being of the Family, along with works by Seymour Fogel, including Wealth of the Nation and The Security of the People.
As reported previously, this historic D.C. landmark is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites. It was put up for sale during the Trump administration as part of budget-cutting strategies, with discussions around its potential demolition.
The senators pointed out that while the GSA intends to secure preservation covenants to protect the murals post-sale, the specifics of how the agency plans to oversee these artworks once they are under private ownership remain unclear.
They accused the GSA of "mismanagement" regarding the artworks and urged the agency to implement "proactive measures" to safeguard these cultural treasures. "The Fine Arts Collection belongs to the American people, and it is imperative that GSA upholds its duty to preserve and protect these works for future generations," they emphasized.
To further their cause, the senators have requested comprehensive documentation and explanations from the GSA regarding the management of the art collection, the proposed sale of the Cohen Building, and the strategies for protecting the murals.
This initiative underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring that significant artworks continue to inspire future generations.
