U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

There are two more years left in the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters Program. Five states will get their quarters released this year and the last five next year. Have you ever heard of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts? And did you know that it is involved in the evaluation process of choosing the design for each state quarter? Just this past week, the Commission of Fine Arts weighed in on the proposed designs for the Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii state quarters.

What is the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and what does it do?

"The Commission of Fine Arts, established in 1910 by Act of Congress, is charged with giving expert advice to the President, Congress and the heads of departments and agencies of the Federal and District of Columbia governments on matters of design and aesthetics, as they affect the Federal interest and preserve the dignity of the nation's capital. The Commission consists of seven "well qualified judges of the fine arts" who are appointed by the President and serve for a term of four years; they may also be reappointed.

The Commission provides advice to the U. S. Mint on the design of coins and medals, and approves the site and design of national memorials, both in the United States and on foreign soil, in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act or the American Battle Monuments Act, whichever applies.

Within the District of Columbia community, the Commission advises on design matters affecting the Historic District of Georgetown, under the Old Georgetown Act, as well as other private sector areas adjacent to federal interests, under the Shipstead-Luce Act.

Lastly, the Commission administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program, which was created by Congress to benefit non-profit cultural entities whose primary purpose is to provide Washington with exhibition or performing arts."

Learn more about the Commission of Fine Arts.

To read more, check these titles in Chinook, the Libraries catalog.