🎨American Art – 1865 to 1968 Unit 10 – New Deal & Federal Art Project

Historical Context

• Emerged during the Great Depression in the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs
• Aimed to provide relief and employment opportunities for artists and cultural workers affected by the economic downturn
• Operated under various federal agencies, including the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture
• Reflected the government's recognition of the importance of art and culture in society and the need to support artists during challenging times
• Coincided with the rise of social realism and regionalism in American art, which focused on depicting the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people
• Influenced by the Mexican muralist movement and the idea of art as a tool for social and political change
• Faced opposition from some conservative politicians and critics who viewed government support for the arts as a form of socialism or propaganda

Key Figures and Leaders

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a crucial role in establishing and supporting the New Deal art programs as part of his broader economic recovery efforts
• Harry Hopkins, head of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), oversaw the implementation of various art projects and initiatives
• Holger Cahill, national director of the Federal Art Project (FAP), was instrumental in shaping the program's goals and policies
  • Advocated for a decentralized approach that allowed regional diversity and experimentation
  • Emphasized the educational and social value of art beyond its aesthetic qualities
• Edward Bruce, head of the Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture, focused on commissioning public art for federal buildings and spaces
• Artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, and John Steuart Curry became prominent figures associated with the regionalist movement and received support from New Deal art programs

Goals and Objectives

• Provide employment and financial support for artists, writers, musicians, and other cultural workers affected by the Great Depression
• Create public art that was accessible and meaningful to a wide audience, reflecting the experiences and aspirations of the American people
• Promote cultural democracy and decentralization by supporting artists and projects in diverse regions and communities across the country
• Enhance public spaces and buildings through the commissioning and installation of murals, sculptures, and other artworks
• Preserve and document American cultural heritage, including folk art, indigenous art, and African American art
• Encourage experimentation and innovation in artistic styles and techniques, while also promoting social and political engagement through art
• Foster a sense of national unity and shared purpose during a time of economic and social upheaval

Major Programs and Initiatives

• Federal Art Project (FAP) employed artists to create murals, paintings, sculptures, and graphic art for public spaces and institutions
  • Established community art centers and galleries to provide education and exhibition opportunities
  • Supported the production of posters, prints, and other forms of mass-produced art
• Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture commissioned public art for federal buildings, such as post offices, courthouses, and libraries
• Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) provided short-term employment for artists to create works for public buildings and spaces
• Index of American Design documented and preserved examples of American folk, decorative, and indigenous art through illustrations and photographs
• Federal Writers' Project (FWP) employed writers to create guidebooks, oral histories, and other literary works that captured American culture and history
• Federal Music Project (FMP) supported the creation and performance of music, including orchestras, choirs, and folk music ensembles
• Federal Theatre Project (FTP) funded the production of plays, musicals, and other theatrical works, often with a focus on social and political issues

Artistic Styles and Movements

• Social Realism depicted the everyday lives and struggles of working-class and marginalized communities, often with a critical or reformist perspective
  • Artists such as Ben Shahn, Jacob Lawrence, and Dorothea Lange used their work to raise awareness of social issues and advocate for change
• Regionalism celebrated the unique landscapes, cultures, and traditions of different regions of the United States, particularly the Midwest and the South
  • Artists like Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, and John Steuart Curry became known for their depictions of rural life and folklore
• American Scene Painting encompassed both social realism and regionalism, emphasizing the importance of capturing the authentic experiences and character of the American people
• Modernist and abstract styles were also supported by New Deal art programs, although to a lesser extent than representational art
  • Artists such as Stuart Davis, Arshile Gorky, and Willem de Kooning experimented with new forms and techniques while still engaging with social and political themes

Notable Artworks and Projects

• "The Struggle of the Races" by Victor Arnautoff, a controversial mural at George Washington High School in San Francisco that depicted the history of racial oppression and resistance in the United States
• "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, an iconic painting that became a symbol of rural Midwestern life and values
• "The Hailstorm" by Thomas Hart Benton, a dynamic mural that captured the power and drama of a Midwestern thunderstorm
• "Migration Series" by Jacob Lawrence, a series of 60 paintings that chronicled the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North
• "America Today" by Thomas Hart Benton, a sprawling mural that depicted the social and economic life of the United States in the 1920s and 1930s
• "Post Office Mural" by Rockwell Kent, one of many murals commissioned for federal buildings that celebrated local history and culture
• "Constellations" by Stuart Davis, an abstract mural that used bold colors and geometric shapes to evoke the energy and dynamism of modern American life

Impact on American Culture

• Democratized art by making it more accessible and relevant to a wider audience, beyond the traditional elite and avant-garde circles
• Promoted a sense of national identity and shared experience during a time of crisis and uncertainty
• Encouraged public engagement with art and culture through community art centers, exhibitions, and educational programs
• Challenged traditional hierarchies and boundaries between high art and popular culture, fine art and folk art, and art and politics
• Contributed to the development of a distinctly American artistic voice and style, rooted in the social and cultural realities of the country
• Paved the way for later public art programs and initiatives, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the General Services Administration's Art in Architecture program
• Influenced the work of subsequent generations of American artists who continued to engage with social and political issues through their art

Legacy and Criticism

• Recognized as a significant moment in the history of American art and cultural policy, demonstrating the potential for government support and intervention in the arts
• Praised for providing much-needed relief and opportunities for artists and cultural workers during the Great Depression
• Celebrated for creating a vast body of public art that enriched communities and public spaces across the country
• Criticized by some conservatives and anti-communists as a form of government propaganda or a threat to free-market capitalism
• Accused of perpetuating racial and gender inequalities, as many women and artists of color faced discrimination and limited opportunities within the programs
• Debated for its emphasis on representational and regionalist styles over more experimental and avant-garde approaches
• Raised questions about the role and responsibilities of artists in society and the relationship between art and politics that continue to be relevant today