A New Deal for the Arts

Rediscovering America Part 2	PART 1 \| PART 2

	"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)

	"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 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 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, 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 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 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."
Back to Top \| PART 1
NARA Home\|Exhibit Hall\|Contact Us Privacy\|Site Map National Archives and Records Administration