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53

Because of the demands of an expanded operation, only some $60,000 has been available for the acquisition of works of art. Further, with regard to space, workshop facilities have been provided for SITES and improvements are underway in the Barney Studio House to aid that operation. The offices for the international exhibition program have been set up in the Liberty Loan Building. This dispersal of activities has added to the burden of the staff. Our educational program needs more space, but there is none to be had. 

The records of the collection are now on their way to being in exemplary shape, and the computer program is continuing at a good pace. By the end of the year, the collection will be securely housed.

We are, in brief, finally becoming an established museum. Now serious thought must be given to future programs, to determining clearly the continuing role of the NCFA. The question is complicated by the National Gallery's moving into the field of contemporary art, the coming of the Hirshhorn, and the unclear future plans of the Corcoran Gallery. The Director asked the Commissioners to help him in shaping plans for the future.

[[underlined]]DISCUSSION[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]]Mr. Sawyer[[/underlined]] emphasized the significance of the internship and research programs, calling it a mission of national importance. He emphasized that the research activity and internship training are closely linked, and that this service should be considered by the entire Smithsonian complex, in spite of its demands on museum staff and time, and energies and resources. [[underlined]]Mr. Heckscher[[/underlined]] asked if works could be "weeded out." Mr. Taylor pointed out that an artist would not be eliminated because he ceased to be popular and pointed out the instructive aspect of the landscape installation on the second floor. In recent years many of these artists have been totally overlooked, but freshly seen their works constitute an important statement.

A further example of saving unpopular work is the attention being given to the art of the WPA. NCFA is working with the General Services Administration. The planned 1973 exhibition of WPA art has now been postponed for a later date to allow for further cataloguing of newly discovered works and doing some of the necessary conservation. Mr. Francis O'Connor has completed a two-year research fellowship with the NCFA on this project. Money must be found for restoration of works which are now in private hands, but for which the title of ownership is unclear.