Richard Halls, who created this Montana travel poster, was one of thousands of artists who participated in the Federal Art Project (FAP). Part of the Works Progress Administration, the project started in 1935, it survived until 1943.

Even though the main objective of FAP was the employment of out-of-work artists, it was not the goal. Many New Deal administrators believed that art could be a part of the daily lives of all Americans, not just the elite, and could enrich the lives of all who came in contact with it. In its peak years, 1936 to 1938, the FAP employed 5,000 artists across the country, at a salary of $95 a month. They created murals, sculptures and paintings, taught community art classes to millions, and produced 2 million posters from 35,000 designs at a cost of about a dime each. The FAP artists also held exhibitions and organized community arts centers through which many Americans were first introduced to the arts.

George Biddle, the founder of the project, said that because of the Federal Art Project, the Depression exerted, "a more invigorating effect on American art than any past event in the country's history." While times were hard, the mood of the posters was typically upbeat and the designs were bold and original and many of the artists felt free to experiment with a wide range of concepts. For American art, it was a vital period that invigorated the entire country"s perception of what art could be and brought American art into the international forefront.

The Library of Congress is the largest single holder of WPA posters, having over 900 in its collection.

Created/Published : NYC : Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project, between 1936 and 1938

Creator : Richard Halls, artist.

Part of the Work Projects Administration Poster Collection in the Prints & Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: seeamwetomo2