U.S. History
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration(WPA) was a program established in 1935 under president Franklin.D.Roosevelt, to provide useful work for the many victims of the great depression and to help them maintain their skills. The program spent $11 million and put more than 8.5 million people into work. (Encyclopedia Britannica Online) Under Hary Hopkins, who called by Roosevelt to administer the program, WPA built a vast number of public works: hospitals, schools, airports, and playground. (William.E.Leuchtenburg) There were many projects supported by WPA, such as Federal Arts Project and Federal Theater Project. They exmployed many artists, writers and actors so that the culture could be preserved in this way. (Encyclopedia Britannica Online)
Citation:
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Works-Progress-Administration
The WPA
https://www.broward.org/library/bienes/lii10204.htm
North Carolian History Project
http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/commentary/130/entry
New Deal and Global War (volume II)
William.E.Leuchtenburg
Federal Arts Projects had Holger Cahill as its director. By 1936, regional offices were established throughout the country and employed 6000 people. 50 percent of the WAP worked with creation of art works, while 10 to 25 percent worked in art education. The rest worked in art research. By 1938, 42,000 easel paintings and 1,100 murals in public buildings were produced. Large numbers of sculptures, posters, and other graphic works were also made. Because of the establishment of hundreds of ommunity art centers that sponsored hundreds of individual and group exhibitions, the art education was increasing dramatically. Many of the art centers are still functioning today. (The WPA)
Federal Theater Projects had Hallie Flanagan as its director. Divided into different regions, there was conflict the commercial theaters and non-profit theaters. Disagreements caused difficulties and made the recruiting process really hard. There was an attempt at a national exchange of plays, directors, and idea in order to build national recognition for the project. At the same time, local authors were also encouraged to produce plays on local themes and social issues. The FTP was able to pump new life into the dying theaters of large cities. However, under very controversial circumstances, the Federal Theatre Project was ended on June 30, 1939 by an act of Congress. (The WPA)
Although the Works Progress Administration provided jobs for a large number of people, there were some critics about it. In 1936, senator Bailey blamed that the WPA had weakened the work ethic, competed with business for labor, and built a liberal political organization. He pointed out that the WPA favored urban areas in the north with higher industrial unemployment, so the more agricultural southern states did not receive their fair share of funds. (North Carolina History Project)