Fine arts federation

DEFINITION

Representing the arts organizations of the United States, the group formed in 1909 in New York City. Members had the goal of setting high standards in the arts and awakening public conscience on these matters. One of the Federation's major projects was establishing guidelines for war memorials which proliferated following World Wars I and II. FAF criteria included using professionally trained sculptors, designers and architects. Several-hundred chapters grew across the country. The Federation sponsored a circulating exhibition, a lecture series, and had a monthly publication, "American Magazine of Art". It also published once a year "The Art Annual", a directory of artists across the country, and the predecessor of "Who's Who in American Art". Source: Donald Martin Reynolds, "Masters of American Sculpture"