Works Progress Administration

1
Works Progress Administration

• Created in 1935
• Headed by Harry Hopkins
• Focused on public works such as bridges, roads,
  runways
• Also included arts projects
• Some projects famous (Camp David, Dealey Plaza)

Signs similar to this one alerted the public that
a site was a WPA works project
2
In addition to public works projects, the WPA
also provided adults with job training as well as
enrichment opportunities
3
WPA Supporting the Arts

• WPA also provided funding for various arts
  programs
• Writing, theater, photography, and painting
  programs

4
Federal Theater Project

• Part of the Federal One project
• Headed by Hallie Flanagan
• Living Newspapers
• Included Orson Welles, John Houseman, and Arthur
  Miller
• Ran into several controversies

5
Federal Art Project

• Specialized in visual arts
• Created more than 200,000 works
• Included art production, art instruction, and art
  research

6
Federal Writers Project

• Allowed writers to work directly for the
  government
• Writers paid a subsistence wage
• Several famous writers participated

7
National Industrial Recovery Act

• Centerpiece of New Deal recovery program
• Sought to promote fair competition, raise wages
  and prices, and institute collective bargaining
• Created codes of fair competition
• Enforced by the NRA