Federal Review and Advisory Bodies

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA)

CFA was established in 1910 to give expert advice to the President on the design, aesthetics, and architectural development of Washington, DC. The President appoints its seven commissioners.
CFA reviews federal and public sector projects within the District of Columbia, cases submitted under the Commemorative Works Act, and private development within Old Georgetown and the Shipstead-Luce Act areas. CFA has two levels of review, conceptual and final.

When CFA and NCPC both review a project, they try to coordinate consultation and review to the extent possible. CFA has been a key partner in the development of the Monumental Core Framework Plan and the Memorials and Museums Master Plan.

National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC)

NCMAC advises Congress and memorial sponsors on commemorative works policy within the National Capital Region. NCMAC is composed of the director of the National Park Service; the Architect of the Capitol; the Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission; the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts; the Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission; the Mayor of the District of Columbia; the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration; and the Secretary of Defense.

NCPC and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts are responsible for approving the design of all memorials on federal land in the National Capital Region. They also approve the sites for memorials on Department of Interior and General Services Administration land.