The New Deal and the Arts Many artists and writers received support from the New Deal Social and political changes were reflected in art Art became widely accessible in both cities and in smaller towns Some artists presented uplifting messages to raise people’s spirits Products of the New Deal’s art programs still exist today While the New Deal frequently focused on “make work” programs to provide jobs for mainstream laborers, it also tried to ensure that artists and writers were gainfully employed in their areas of expertise. Programs such as the Federal Arts Project, a division of the Works Progress Administration, provided a living wage to artists and writers and also tried to expose more Americans to art in general. Artists painted murals, taught art, and created posters for other New Deal programs. The Federal Theater Project allowed actors, producers, directors, set designers, and other theater professionals an opportunity to present Broadway-caliber plays in both big cities and small towns. Even today, remnants of these projects exist in the form of murals on the walls of public buildings—such as post offices and schools—and in the form of public sculptures. Artists, mindful of the conditions of the Depression as well as their own vision, frequently sought to present an uplifting message in their work. However, they were also very aware of the social and political changes occurring during the decade. Musician Woody Guthrie sang about Depression-era hard times. Dorothea Lange photographed the heartbreak of the migrant community in her famous work “Migrant Mother.” Authors and playwrights also sought to highlight the essence of the 1930s with works such as Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and James Agee’s Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. However, the author who probably best captured the heartbreak and despair of the 1930s was John Steinbeck, whose The Grapes of Wrath brought the plight of the Okies to life through the eyes of the Joad family.

The New Deal and the Arts Give students approximately one minute to view this image, then proceed to the following slides. The New Deal and the Arts

Activities visible in the foreground of the painting include typing, sewing, scientific research, surveying, building/construction, and weaving. Describe the different activities taking place in the foreground of the painting.

Why might the artist have included these figures? The shadowy figures in the background appear to depict human frailties such as gambling, idleness, drinking, and stealing. The artist would have included these figures—of people not using their full potential—in order to show that organizations like the NYA were assisting those affected by the Depression by helping them reach their potential, gain a measure of self-esteem, and contribute in a positive way to society. What do you think the figures in the background of the painting represent? Why might the artist have included these figures?

What is notable about the use of color in the painting? The artist used brighter colors in the foreground of the picture—reds, yellows, greens, flesh tones—and included more light. The background seems to be darker and foreboding; possibly in an attempt to have the viewer conclude that New Deal programs such as the NYA sought to bring the youth of America from “the darkness into the light.” What is notable about the use of color in the painting?

Why might the artist have done this? What is the difference between the activities shown on the left of the painting and those shown on the right? Why might the artist have done this? The activities on the left involve skilled or manual labor, while those on the right involve white-collar or intellectual labor. The artist may have done this to imply that both manual skills and intellectual skills taught by the NYA were of equal importance and that both needed to be celebrated.

Read the quote found at the top of the painting. Roosevelt spoke these words while establishing the National Youth Administration. The artist, Alden Krider, who worked for the National Youth Administration, may have felt that adding the quote by FDR reinforced the theme and idea of the painting. Since the painting does not specifically mention the National Youth Administration, Krider may have thought that it was necessary to include clues to signal to the viewer that the theme involved the work of young men and women. Why do you think the artist included this quote in the painting?

Answers should include some sort of insight that the NYA and New Deal provided means for young people to overcome the problems and hardships of the Depression, as well as to better themselves and become more successful in society. Based on your analysis of the painting, create an alternative title that fits with the theme the artist tried to convey.