The Federal Art Project of the United States (1935-1943) as an Example of State Support for Art in Crisis Periods

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the Federal Art Project (FAP) of the United States (1935–1943) as an example of state support for the arts during an economic crisis. The study examines the functioning of the FAP within the context of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policy, focusing on its impact on reducing unemployment among artists, developing cultural infrastructure, and promoting art among the public.

Based on an analysis of archival sources and project reports, the study outlines the main areas of FAP activity and the methods of their implementation. The role of community art centers as platforms for art education, exhibitions, and the integration of art into the sociocultural space is explored. The study examines major FAP exhibitions, including «New Horizons in American Art»  (1936) and «Indian Art of the United States» (1941), which contributed to the preservation and dissemination of U.S. cultural heritage. Special attention is given to the development of monumental painting, the process of creating murals in public spaces, and their significance in historical retrospect.

The article also reviews earlier New Deal art initiatives, highlighting their characteristics and influence on the formation of the FAP. The reasons for the closure of previous programs and their contribution to shaping the structural organization of the Project are identified. The study analyzes the financial model of the FAP, mechanisms of interaction with local communities and cultural institutions, which ensured the broad impact of this initiative. The role of Holger Cahill as the project’s director, who viewed art as a tool for social transformation, is emphasized.

The scientific significance of the article is proved by the fact that it analyzes the social significance and impact of the Federal Art Project, which has previously remained insufficiently covered in the existing historiography. The article emphasizes the role of the FAP not only as an artistic initiative but also as a tool for socio-economic transformation, exploring its impact on the integration of art into public space, support for unemployed artists, and the formation of US cultural policy.

The article concludes that the Federal Art Project of the United States functioned not only as an anti-crisis measure but also played an important role in shaping long-term state cultural policy. The results of the study can be used to develop modern strategies of state support for the arts in times of economic crisis. The highlighted mechanisms of interaction between government structures and artists and cultural institutions can serve as a guide for the development of social protection programs for artists. The analysis of the FAP financial model makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of public investment in the cultural sphere and its long-term impact on social development. The findings can be useful for historians, cultural critics, economists, and developers of government programs in the field of culture and art.