This poster was created for the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), which was in existence from 1935 until 1939. Harry Hopkins, director of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), advocated a "free, adult, uncensored theatre" and announced the founding of the Federal Theatre Project.

The FTP was designed to re-employ theater workers on public relief; to conserve and develop the skills of administrators, clerical workers, writers, set and costume designers, directors, actors and actresses, technicians, and photographers; and to bring a theater which would be national in scope and regional in emphasis to thousands in the United States who had never before seen live theatrical performances.

During its four-year existence, the FTP mounted over 8,000 performances in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

The Library of Congress received its collection of the records of the Federal Theatre Project by transfer and gift over the years 1939-46. The FTP Collection contains documentation for stage productions mounted by the Federal Theatre Project in the period 1935-39, and there are approximately 5,000 playscripts and 2,500 titles ranging from vaudeville to classic theater.

George Biddle, the founder of the Federal Art Project (FAP), which created the poster art for this production and for many of the creative federal projects, said that because of the FAP, 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 : Federal Art Project, 1938

Creator : Not attributed

Part of the Work Projects Administration Collection housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: cph3f05459