HR5009-119

What This Bill Does

The Fine Arts Protection Act responds to the federal Fine Arts Program housed at the General Services Administration. Congress finds that art helps preserve and understand history and that GSA's Fine Arts Collection is one of the oldest and largest public art collections in the United States, including culturally significant New Deal works. Within one year, GAO must initiate a review of the Fine Arts Program. GAO must survey each piece of art in the Fine Arts Collection, estimate the economic value of the collection including New Deal-commissioned works, review GSA stewardship, examine whether current staffing and funding are sufficient to manage and preserve the collection, compare GSA management to comparable art collection managers, and examine whether GSA has or should have plans to find a new home for the collection given staff and budget reductions. Within two years, GAO must report to House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Environment and Public Works with findings and recommendations, including whether GSA should continue managing the collection.

Who Benefits and How

GSA Fine Arts Collection works benefit from a complete survey, valuation, and stewardship review. Cultural heritage organizations benefit from public recommendations on preserving New Deal and other federal artworks. Congressional oversight committees benefit from GAO findings on staffing, funding, management, and possible transfer of the collection. Museum professionals benefit if the report compares GSA management with other similar-size art collection stewards.

Who Bears the Burden and How

GAO auditors must initiate the review within one year and submit the final report within two years. GSA Fine Arts Program staff must provide collection, staffing, funding, stewardship, and management information. Federal property managers may face recommendations to relocate or reorganize the Fine Arts Collection. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of GAO review and any later preservation or management changes Congress pursues.

Key Provisions

• Requires GAO to review the GSA Fine Arts Program within one year.
• Directs GAO to survey every work in the Fine Arts Collection and estimate economic value.
• Requires review of GSA stewardship, staffing, funding, and management compared with similar collections.
• Requires a report within two years with recommendations, including whether GSA should continue managing the collection.