A NEW DEAL FOR THE ARTS A NEW DEAL FOR THE ARTS A NEW DEAL FOR THE ARTS
Introduction
About this Exhibit
Rediscovering America
Celebrating The People
Work Pays America
Activist Arts
Useful Arts

Rediscovering America
Part 2

PART 1 | PART 2
Grocery Store by Russell Lee

"Grocery store and filling station in the High Plains. Dawson County, Texas, March 1940"
By Russell Lee, Farm Security

Administration Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (LC-USF 34-35806-D)

Omaha Newstand by John Vachon

"Newsstand, Omaha, Nebraska, November 1938"
By John Vachon, Farm Security

Administration Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (LC 8939-D)

American Heroes

In a time of change and adversity, Americans looked to their history for examples of individuals who had triumphed over hardship or who had promoted social reform against great odds. Their stories became the subject of several federal theater and dance productions as well as paintings and murals.

Poster: Battle Hymn

Poster for production of Battle Hymn
Production by the Northern California Federal Theatre Project, WPA, 1937
Silkscreen

National Archives, Records of the Work Projects Administration
(69-TP-32)

"John Brown" costume design by Zoray Andrus

"John Brown" costume design for Battle Hymn
By Zoray Andrus, Northern California Federal Theatre Project, WPA, 1937
Watercolor and pencil

National Archives, Records of the Work Projects Administration
(69-TSR-100)

Jane Addams Memorial by  Mitchell Siporin

Jane Addams Memorial
By Mitchell Siporin, Illinois Federal Art Project, WPA, 1936
Tempera on paper

Fine Arts Collection, General Services Administration
(FA 216)

In this painting, WPA artist Mitchell Siporin chose to memorialize a more contemporary heroine, humanitarian and social reformer Jane Addams. Addams is shown in the midst of the poor women and children to whom she dedicated much of her life. Her support of labor is indicated by a worker and farmer shaking hands. A soldier breaking a sword signifies her leadership as the head of the Women's Peace Party and notes her achievement as the first American female Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Poster: Festival of American Dance

Poster for Festival of American Dance
By an unknown artist, Los Angeles Federal Theatre Project, WPA, 1937
Silkscreen

National Archives, Records of the Work Projects Administration
(619-TP-145)

Myra Kinch, Clay Dalton in American Exodus

Myra Kinch and Clay Dalton in the Los Angeles production of American Exodus
By an unknown photographer, 1937

National Archives, Records of the Work Projects Administration
(69-N-13159)

According to its choreographer, Myra Kinch, American Exodus, a modern ballet celebrating America's 19th-century westward migration, was "a dance impression of a pioneer seeking a new land, its cultivation, the building of new homes, the harvest, the burden and nostalgia of women, love, and finally the joyous festival celebrating a full existence."

National Archives and Records Administration