1. “I, too, have a dream – to show people in the out of the way
places, some of whom are not only in small villages but in
corners of New York City – something they cannot get from
between the covers of books – some real paintings and prints
and etchings and some real music.” – FDR 1938

2.  American Art on the World
Stage Post World War II
 Federal Emergency Relief
Act (1934)
 What people should be
helped?
 Do artists have “real jobs?”
 “Hell, they’ve got to eat
just like other people!” –
Harry Hopkins, head of
FERA

3.  Public Works of Art Project
(PWAP)
 December 1933 – June 1934
 Federal Art Project (FAP)
 August 1935 – June 1943
 Focused on the Visual Arts
 Section of Painting &
Sculpture (Section of Fine
Arts)
 1934-1943
 Select high quality art for
public buildings

7. Post Office
Murals
1934-1943
1% of the PWAP
budget directed at
the murals
In all 48 states
Highly competitive
commissions

12.  Focused on combating
rural poverty
 Photography program
1935-1944
 Beginning of photo
journalism
 Some of the most iconic
images

13. Dorothea Lange “Mississippi Delta
“Migrant Mother” Children”

14. Walker Evans “Allie Mae Walker Evans
Burroughs” “Sharecropper”

15.  Promoted the idea of art as a profession
 Intentionally beautifying public buildings
 Instigated conversations about the role of art in the
public
 Initiated a community for artists
 Promoted travel and experiences for American Artists
 Exposed Americans in rural areas to art and culture.