15 FAM 740
OFFICE OF ART IN EMBASSIES (OBO/OPS/ART)
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 fam 741 OFFICE OF art in embassies
(obo/OPS/art)
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
The Office of Art in Embassies, Directorate for
Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/OPS/ART), curates,
plans, and administers exhibitions of original art for overseas chief-of-mission
residences. The majority of works are on loan from artists, dealers,
institutions, foundations, corporations, museums, and public and private
collections. The office oversees all aspectsfrom creation to installationof
the permanent art collections for the public spaces of all embassies,
consulates, annexes, and major renovations under the Capital Security
Construction Program (CSCP). These collections foster cultural exchange and
highlight the artistic heritage of the United States and the host country.
15 fam 742 program purpose
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. In collaboration with an ambassador or a U.S. representative
to an international organization abroad (when a principal officer), OBO/OPS/ART
creates and assembles loaned art exhibitions for chief-of-mission residences.
The exhibitions provide a cultural backdrop for representational activities and
facilitate cross-cultural communication. Exhibitions are contingent upon
several variables, including regional bureau policy and budget, shipping
constraints, post facilities, and climatic and security conditions; see 15 FAM 773.
b. The program also includes art acquisitions for
capital construction projects in new chanceries, consulates, and annexes.
OBO/OPS/ART selects and commissions works by artists from both the host country
and the United States for these permanent collections.
c. Additional information is available on
OBO/OPS/ARTs website.
15 FAM 743 OFFICE OF Art in Embassies:
Requirements
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. Responsibilities: The
Office of Art in Embassies, Directorate for Operations, Bureau of Overseas
Buildings Operations (OBO/OPS/ART), curates temporary exhibitions for the
representational areas of chief-of-mission residences (CMR), and identifies
possible artists and lenders for each exhibition. OBO/OPS/ART oversees all
logistical aspects with regard to the consolidation, crating, and shipment of
the exhibition to post. Additionally, OBO/OPS/ART provides the fine arts
insurance coverage. The regional bureaus fund the loan exhibitions, including
consolidation, crating, and transportation costs. Post and the ambassador must
follow the instructions provided by the lenders and OBO/OPS/ART for the care,
handling, and safekeeping of the works of art. The ambassador must observe the
terms of the loan agreement and the return of the works of art. (See 14 FAM 411.2-9
for employee responsibilities related to personal property and 14 FAM 411.3-2
for compliance enforcement.)
b. Receiving art: Before the
works of art arrive at post, OBO/OPS/ART cables a detailed inventory and
instructions for unpacking and handling of the shipment. Comprehensive
information concerning care and safekeeping follows in a separate cable.
c. Installing art: In
residences that OBO has designated as historic or culturally significant,
special care must be taken to avoid damaging historic or high-value wall
surfaces, finishes, or architectural elements. Repairs to these surfaces can
be expensive and difficult to accomplish. Post and OBO/OPS/ART share the
responsibility for ensuring that historic building materials are not damaged by
OBO/OPS/ART installations, and post has sole responsibility for guarding
against damage from non-OBO/OPS/ART installations. The Office of Cultural
Heritage, Directorate for Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
(OBO/OPS/CH) and the Architectural Design Division, Office of Design and
Engineering, Directorate for Program Development, Coordination, and Support,
Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/PDCS/DE/AD), must give written
approval to mount non-OBO/OPS/ART-installed art directly to walls in CH
facilities.
d. Preserving shipping materials:
Post must retain shipping crates and packing material in a climate-controlled
area, preferably at the ambassadors residence or in a post climate-controlled
warehouse, for the artworks eventual return.
e. Safeguarding art during display:
Post should place works of art away from the flow of traffic. Do not install
art outdoors, in bathrooms, above lighted candles or over working fireplaces,
in direct sunlight, in nonrepresentational rooms, under hot lights, or in damp
or humid environments. Do not place floral arrangements against or under
unglazed works of art. OBO/OPS/ART monitors the location and condition of the
works of art at post, including climate control. OBO/OPS/ART will notify
OBO/PDCS/DE whenever deficient climate conditions exist. Do not hang art while
these deficient conditions exist. Post must contact OBO/OPS/ART before
cleaning or moving the works of art. For any renovation or repair near the
works of art, post must request moving and storage instructions from
OBO/OPS/ART.
f. Returning art: Post must
pack and ship art to the Department under the ambassadors recognizance.
OBO/OPS/ART will provide complete packing and shipping instructions to post.
Post must return the works of art prior to the ambassadors final departure
from post. A U.S. citizen employee must supervise all packing.
g. Art at posts in crisis:
OBO/OPS/ART may recall art with clearance from the regional bureaus executive director.
If a post is in crisis, OBO can only offer art from the U.S. Government-owned
(GO) collection.
h. Publications: Funding
permitting, OBO/OPS/ART creates a full-color multilingual publication for the
loaned Office of Art in Embassies exhibitions. The publication serves as an
educational public diplomacy tool for post, documents the exhibition, promotes
the artists, and acknowledges the generosity of lenders. OBO/OPS/ART
determines the format, design, content, and serves as liaison with the
printer. Post provides all translation services.
i. Artists Exchange/Artists Abroad:
OBO/OPS/ART selects and funds a limited number of artists per year to
participate in the Artists Exchange/Artists Abroad Program. OBO/OPS ART
coordinates with posts on cultural exchanges and short-term cultural programs
for artists and/or lenders. OBO/OPS/ART funds travel, lodging, meals,
incidentals, and other expenses.
j. Capital projects:
OBO/OPS/ART creates permanent art collections for all new chanceries,
consulates, and annexes. OBO/OPS/ART oversees all aspects of the collections
for the capital security construction projects, including budgetary planning,
selection, commission, acquisition, shipping, and permanent placement of the
art within the representational spaces. The collections reinforce the cultural
connections to the host country. OBO/OPS/ART manages project funds. Once the
collection is permanently installed, OBO/OPS/CH takes responsibility for it.
k. Donations: OBO/OPS/ART
maintains an inventory of works on loan and donated to OBO/OPS/ART.
l. OBO ART Committee:
OBO/OPS/ART chairs the OBO Art Committee.
15 FAM 744 THROUGH 749 unassigned