The State Department defended its Art in Embassies program on Wednesday following a report that it plans to purchase a $ 400,000 sculpture for the embassy compound under construction in Islamabad . BuzzFeed first reported the planned purchase of the sculpture `` Camel Contemplating Needle . '' The 500-pound work alludes in both name and appearance to a well-known allegory that appears in both the bible and the Quran . `` Our embassies are the face of the United States overseas , '' spokeswoman Marie Harf said Wednesday , acknowledging the report but adding that art purchases for the embassy in Pakistan have not been finalized . `` Right now , we 're still making decisions about what the art will look like specifically in our embassy in Islamabad , '' said Harf . `` We have n't made any final decision about that piece or any other piece . '' She emphasized the total spent on art at new embassies amounts to just 0.5 % of the embassy 's total construction budget . The Art in Embassies program was started in the 1960s to showcase American art around the world , and also features pieces from local host-country artists . According to the State Department , over 58 permanent collections have been displayed at embassies and ambassadors ' residences , and dozens of temporary exhibitions are shipped every year under the program . Over $ 300 million worth of art is also on loan to diplomatic facilities by the artists themselves , according to Harf . `` Obviously , we believe very strongly in the Art in Embassies program , '' she said . `` We think it fosters cultural connections . '' The contract to build the embassy compound in Islamabad totaled $ 699 million when it was announced in October 2010 .
Report says State Department plans $ 400,000 art purchase for embassy in Pakistan . State Department spokeswoman says no decisions have been made on any art purchases . But she defends program that displays art at U.S. embassies around the world .