WPA and artists
There has been so much about bailouts recently - so many people will be affected by the current economic situation. I am reminded of something i learned in Western Art History - the Works Progress Administration (WPA)- provided jobs and income to the unemployed during the Great Depression in the United States. Between 1935 and 1943 the WPA provided almost 8 million jobs. The program built many public buildings, projects and roads and operated large arts, drama, media and literacy projects. It fed children and redistributed food, clothing and housing. Almost every community in America has a park, bridge or school constructed by the agency. What struck me was that artists were gainfully employed such as Milton Avery, Stuart Davis, Mark Rothko, Willem deKooning and Jackson Pollock were just a few of the thousands of artists on the WPA Project who have achieved worldwide recognition.
The WPA Artists Project involved over 5,000 artists throughout the nation. An eligibility process was organized, whereby the artists interested in participating on the WPA would apply to a panel of their peers, They first had to prove they were in financial need unless they were in a supervisory job. There, the artists would submit their work with any publicity, resume or exhibition records that they had. On the basis of the artists training experience and ability, the artists then received assignments. The pay scale ranged from $23.00 a week to approximately $35.00 a week. The artists waited in line each week to receive their checks and this waiting line very often became an opportunity for the artists to socialize with and meet one another. I think we could use such a scheme today.
The WPA Artists Project involved over 5,000 artists throughout the nation. An eligibility process was organized, whereby the artists interested in participating on the WPA would apply to a panel of their peers, They first had to prove they were in financial need unless they were in a supervisory job. There, the artists would submit their work with any publicity, resume or exhibition records that they had. On the basis of the artists training experience and ability, the artists then received assignments. The pay scale ranged from $23.00 a week to approximately $35.00 a week. The artists waited in line each week to receive their checks and this waiting line very often became an opportunity for the artists to socialize with and meet one another. I think we could use such a scheme today.
Comments