Art in Architecture Program
Center for Fine Arts; GSA 7437
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
09/03/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2025
300
300
75
75
543
543
This is a revision to an existing
collection. In accordance with Executive Orders 14148 and 14168,
the form GSA 7437, Art in Architecture Program National Artist
Registry, will be updated to eliminate the optional demographic
information, which is no longer being collected. The Art in
Architecture (AiA) program is the result of a policy decision made
in January 1963 by the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA)
Administrator Bernard L. Boudin, who served on the Ad Hoc Committee
on Federal Office Space in 1961-62. The Committee’s report to
President Kennedy included the “Guiding Principles for Federal
Architecture,” which detailed a new quality conscious Federal
attitude toward architecture. One point, which was omitted from the
report because Administrator Boudin implemented it prior to the
policy’s publication, was: A modest portion of the cost of each new
Federal office building, not to exceed one percent of the total
expense, shall be allocated for the purchase of fine arts to be
incorporated in the general design. Emphasis should be placed on
the work of living American artists, representing all trends of
contemporary art, but this practice should not preclude the
purchase of works of earlier periods where this would be
appropriate. In commissioning the work of living artists,
competitions should be encouraged. Administrator Boudin approved a
policy of commissioning works of art for public buildings under
GSA’s jurisdiction, custody, and control in an amount not to exceed
one half of one percent of the construction cost. The requirement
to commission artworks for federal buildings can be found in part
102-77 of the Federal Management Regulation (41 C.F.R. part
102-77). The program has been modified over the years, most
recently in 2022, to align with Executive Order (E.O.)14029 issued
on May 14, 2021 “Revocation of Certain Presidential Actions and
Technical Amendment,” and to support E.O. 13985 issued January
2021, titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government. E.O. 14029 revoked E.O.
13934 issued July 3, 2020, Building and Rebuilding Monuments to
American Heroes. E.O. 14189 of January 29, 2025 “Celebrating
America’s 250th Birthday, revoked E.O.14129 and reinstates E.O.
13934. As mandated by E.O. 13934, the AiA program must prioritize
the commissioning of artworks that portray historically significant
Americans or events of American historical significance, or that
illustrate the ideals upon which the Nation was founded. Priority
is to be given to public-facing monuments to former Presidents of
the United States, and to individuals and events relating to the
discovery of America, the founding of the United States, and the
abolition of slavery. Such works of art are to be designed to be
appreciated by the public and by those who use and interact with
Federal buildings. When an artwork commissioned by GSA is meant to
depict a historically significant American, the artwork is required
to be a lifelike or realistic representation of that person, not an
abstract or modernist representation. With the implementation of
the 2025 policy, the AiA program seeks to commission works from
American artists that “portray historically significant Americans
or events of American historical significance or illustrate the
ideals upon which our nation was founded.” Since 1972, GSA has
awarded over 500 commissions to artists with established careers
and artists of local and regional prominence. In support of the AiA
program’s goal to commission the most talented contemporary
American artists to create works for the nation’s important new
civic buildings, it is necessary to identify those artists. The GSA
National Artist Registry (Registry) offers the opportunity for
artists across the country to participate and to be considered for
commissions.
Jennifer Gibson 202 501-0930
jennifer.gibson@gsa.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form GSA 7437 Art in Architecture Program Center for Fine Arts; GSA 7437
3090-0274_ICR Supporting Statement_7.2022.docx
Art in Architecture Program Center for Fine Arts; GSA 7437