The WPA- Federal Art Project Why would the government fund a federal art project?

In the visual arts, the creation of the federal arts projects coincided with the popularity of the movement known as the "American Scene." Fishermen's Village By Edmund Lewandowski, Wisconsin Federal Art Project, WPA, 1937

By Paul Kelpe, Illinois Federal Art Project, WPA, ca Gouache

Though much of Paul Kelpe's art tended toward the abstract, his mural for the Southern Illinois University Library followed the prevailing American Scene style. This work describing the history of industry, agriculture, and commerce in southern Illinois is typical of many New Deal murals. The mural looks back to a supposedly simpler time when pioneers triumphed over adversity and built the nation through hard work, community, and strength of character. The results of all this industry--the growing fields, the commerce on the river, the school, even the children--are offered as proof that progress and community were achieved despite frontier conditions.

Always the heart and soul of our country will be the heart and soul of the common man. --Franklin Roosevelt, campaign address, Cleveland, Ohio, November 2, 1940 The economic crisis of the 1930s focused the attention of Americans on the lives and struggles of ordinary folk.

The Annual Move by Otis Dozier, 1936

Waiting for the Mail By Grant Wright Christian, Treasury Relief Art Project,

Artists of the WPA

Construction of the Dam by William Gropper

Women of Flint, MI by Joseph Varak

We, as artists, must take our place in this crisis on the side of growth and civilization against barbarism and reaction, and help to create a better social order. -- Peter Blume, "The Artist Must Choose," 1936 Many politically active artists worked for the New Deal projects. United by a desire to use art to promote social change, these artists sympathized with the labor movement and exhibited an affinity for left-wing politics ranging from New Deal liberalism to socialism to communism.

Lest We Forget By Ben Shahn, Resettlement Administration, 1937

Another goal of the Federal Arts Project was to support the creation of Community Arts Centers where classes would be offered and local works would be displayed.

Other non-WPA works American Gothic

What kinds of entertainment would you expect during the Depression? Movies:

Radio Programs: Music: