At one time our government supported
artists by providing jobs through the Federal Art Project - and
enhancing quality of life for a society in the throes of the
depression. Through the project, theater, music, dance and the visual
arts were all commissioned.
From 1936-1943, the WPA Poster
Division was responsible for designing, printing and distributing
millions of posters to raise awareness about public issues.
Unfortunately, the government did not keep a central record of these
posters.
The WPA Living Archive searches through private and
public collections to create the most comprehensive database of posters
known to exist. We preserve our American graphic design heritage
through research, outreach, site visits, photography and archiving.
Look for the online archive later this year - where you'll see more
than double the largest collection housed at the Library of Congress!
In 2008, the New Deal Turns 75…And We're Celebrating!
This year, the
WPA Living Archive and The Social Arts will be part of a national effort to commemorate the
75th Anniversary of the New Deal. In fact, we are hosting the East Coast celebration right here in Philadelphia, with several things already underway:
Founder and co-director Ennis Carter has teamed up with The Nation magazine for their Special Anniversary Issue The New Deal (Re)Turns 75. Her design and illustration appears on the cover, alongside contributions by Michael J. Copps, Francis Moore Lappé, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bill McKibben, Howard Zinn, and more. Issues hit the newsstands April 7; get a sneak peek of the cover today at The Nationonline.
Ennis also joined other New Deal experts to talk with Laura Flanders on RadioNation – a program aired on Air America, NPR affiliates nationwide, and on The Nation.com. You can listen to her segment about political propaganda and the Posters of the WPA here!
Ennis is also the author of a new book called Posters for the People: Art of the WPA, coming out this October. Posters for the People is a lavishly illustrated volume of nearly 500 of the best and most striking posters designed by artists working as part of the WPA's Federal Art Project. Roughly 125 posters in this publication were never cataloged by the federal government and represent exciting new additions to the WPA Living Archive; this fall, we will bring back into print posters that haven't been seen by the public in more than 70 years.
All royalties from the sale of this book support the WPA Living Archive and our ongoing effort to preserve the legacy of the WPA posters by putting this national treasure back into the hands of the American people. Learn more at postersforthepeople.com
Mark Your Calendar for October 24!
Join us October 24-26 for the weekend-long Posters for the People expo and festival. This will be the official launch of the WPA Living Archive and home to a series of participatory, entertaining and truly public events. We'll highlight workshops, tours, panels, exhibitions, local artists, speakers, murals and more.
The Posters for the People festival will focus specifically on the New Deal through the lens of the Posters that promoted its initiatives and, along with other local and regional organizations and individuals, we'll showcase efforts to keep the legacy and spirit of the New Deal and Works Progress Administration alive today.
made with Artistry & Activism 525 South 4th Street, Studio 589, Philadelphia PA 19147 | 215.922.7303 | info@thesocialarts.org
