New Legislation Proposed to Safeguard Public Art in Government Buildings
A new legislative effort is underway in the United States Congress to ensure the protection and stewardship of public artworks commissioned by the federal government. This proposed bill, known as the PRESERVE Act, seeks to establish a formal process for identifying, evaluating, and safeguarding these cultural assets, particularly in instances where federal properties containing such art are slated for disposal. The initiative highlights a growing concern for the preservation of national artistic heritage, aiming to prevent the loss or damage of significant public art pieces due to changes in government property management or political shifts.
On July 14, 2026, Representatives Dina Titus of Nevada and Lloyd Doggett of Texas jointly introduced the 'Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression Act.' This legislation mandates that the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency responsible for managing government properties, meticulously identify any artworks located within federal buildings marked as 'surplus.' Furthermore, the act calls for the formation of a dedicated committee to oversee the long-term fate of these art installations, emphasizing their importance as national treasures accessible to the public.
Representative Titus underscored the motivation behind the bill, stating that publicly funded art should not be considered expendable when government buildings are sold or otherwise disposed of. She stressed the importance of having a clear protocol to safeguard the approximately 26,000 works of art displayed across museums and federal facilities nationwide, ensuring their continued accessibility regardless of political changes. This sentiment reflects a broader desire to protect the nation's artistic legacy for future generations.
Although the PRESERVE Act’s language is broad, the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building serves as a critical example of the concerns that prompted this legislative push. Over the past nine months, a diverse coalition of preservationists, artists, and senators has championed the cause of saving this building, often referred to as the 'Sistine Chapel of New Deal Art.' Built in 1940 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration, the Cohen Building, originally home to the Social Security Administration, features extensive murals by renowned artists such as Philip Guston, Ben Shahn, Ethel Magafan, and Jenne Magafan. Despite its historical and artistic significance, the building, along with three others, has faced demolition threats under the current administration's plans.
Living New Deal, a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting New Deal-era public art across the country, has been a strong advocate for the PRESERVE Act. The organization launched a petition in November 2025 to protect the Cohen Building in response to the GSA's 'accelerated disposal' program. This program allows federal properties to be sold with minimal public consultation. By spring 2025, 45 buildings, including the Cohen Building, were listed under this program, with an additional three added in 2026, highlighting the urgent need for legislation to protect these cultural assets. Mary Okin, assistant director of Living New Deal, articulates the core principle behind the bill: the GSA, as the primary custodian of New Deal art, should prioritize its preservation rather than its destruction, as these works belong to the American people.
The proposed PRESERVE Act represents a significant step towards reinforcing the protection of public art within federal properties. By mandating a structured approach to identifying, evaluating, and conserving these works, the bill aims to prevent the arbitrary loss of cultural heritage. This legislative initiative seeks to uphold the enduring value of art commissioned by the U.S. government, ensuring that these expressions of national identity and history remain accessible and preserved for the benefit of current and future generations, rather than becoming casualties of property disposition or political agendas.