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I disagree with the statement made as our prompt. Although I understand the sentiment behind it, I find it short-sighted.

The statement suggests that the money funding these artists would've been better off funding other programs, but the $1,184,000 (according to the Smithsonian article) used for this program was quite a small amount, compared to other relief funds. The money designated for artists by the PWAP did not suck vast amounts of money from other relief organizations - the CCC, FERA, and TVC all were established to provide work and aid for citizens in need. Like Harry Hopkins (Roosevelt's chief of work relief) said, "Hell, they've [artists] got to eat just like other people!" (Adler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2009).

Art, music, and other cultural pursuits will always hold an important place in society. Since there wasn't much call for luxury items (like art pieces) in the Depression, if the government hadn't provided an opportunity for these artists to create, there wouldn't be much in the way of a cultural "footprint" from this time. The art from a time period tells future generations a lot about what was happening then. Just looking at the paintings from the 1934-themed Smithsonian display really gives us a vivid idea of what life was like during the Great Depression. Art, music, and literature from different eras comprise our cultural heritage.

Furthermore, art and music can do a LOT for morale. Imagine the last time you sat in an office or a classroom with bare walls and no sound - did it improve your mood or productivity? Likely, seeing art and hearing music gave people hope.

I think the arts will always have an important place in society.

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Claire Canfield: Mass Unemployment During the Great Depression

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Claire Canfield: Mass Unemployment During the Great Depression

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In this painting by Pino Janni, titled "Waterfront Scene," we see two men staring at a cargo ship, hoping to get some work on the docks loading or unloading it.

The Great Depression's stock market collapse and subsequent economic spiral downward meant hard times for everyone. According to Chapter 23, Section V. of the American Yawp, some high- and middle-class families got by by sacrificing vacations and other luxuries. They also were spared harder circumstances if they were able to double up with relatives or friends in houses, lowering their rent.

However, for Americans who had already been living near the poverty line, the Great Depression was a nightmare. According to the Smithsonian's website, Janni's painting below was inspired by the downcast scenes at the docks during the Great Depression. Men would crowd together, pushing and shoving, and even breaking into fistfights to try and be the ones to get work every time a new ship came into the docks. This was how desperate they were for even a few hours' meager wages. The artist evokes these bleak times with his use of muted colors and liberal use of black and grey. The men are painted with hunched backs and deeply-shadowed eyes, further enhancing the hopelessness of the scene.

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I disagree with the statement given. I do believe that food relief, infrastructure, economic stimulus, etc is important for a country, but I also believe that art and music is important for a country as well. The art and music would give people jobs that would not have them; this would also give them money to spend and put back into the economy. The arts and music would help add to the culture of America at the time. Since the economy wasn't doing too well, not many people would make pieces of art because there is not market for it at the time. This would force the artist to take different jobs and leave a gap in the art and music of our country, I do see why people believe that it would be a waste of money, but you have to look more in depth to see how it would benefit the county as a whole.

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Leo Breslau, Plowing.

I chose to use the picture of someone working in the field because the most hard hit people during the Great Depression were farmers. Not only was the economy crashing, but their previously fertile land was all dry now. The Dust Bowl made the land impossible to grow crops so the farmers would career was at a standstill. Many left to go out farther west where there was farm-able land, but others tried to stick it out. This picture does not fully represent what the farmers experienced, but it reminded me of what there was before the Dust Bowl, and then made me think about how bad the farmers had it during the Dust Bowl.

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I agree that this was the Ultimate American Crisis and that we should have been spending money elsewhere, people were homeless and without jobs. People who couldn't afford houses and that were homeless lived in "Hoovervilles". With many people living in "Hoovervilles"(little make shift towns where people lived in tents and shanti's)  without food and good health money should have went to helping these people survive not towards art and music. Sure art and music are fun and important but not more important than peoples well being.

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For my picture I chose a picture by Joe Jones. This picture of St. Louis is dark with no life in the picture. Symbolizing the dark and horrible times of the great depression. There were many people without jobs leaving them homeless,  there were no kids that were out in the streets playing or hanging around. It shows that houses that these people used to live in were now being torn down while there were still big buildings that were standing up in the distance.

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In regards to the Great Depression, we as a country should have been spending the funds we had on reliable aspects for American citizens, such as food, water, shelter, etc. The last thing we should have been spending our tax payer money on are paintings and music. Even though they can bring a source of happiness during this dark period for many, it was not the smartest way to go about handling money during this rough time period for most Americans.
But the whole system snarled itself up because while the puritan work ethic had provided a highly productive and efficient work force, the idea of buying lots of 'stuff' was considered a bad thing. There had to be a shift in ideas and beliefs, that made people realize they were entitled to nice things, and that they would want them.

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Great Depression- Mackenzie Graff (post #1)

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Great Depression- Mackenzie Graff (post #1)

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*Baseball at Night- Morris Kantor

*I chose this piece because I love to watch baseball. After doing some research on the topic of baseball during this time period, the major leagues didn't start up until 1953. This was a source of cheap entertainment for people back then. Catering to the Depression-era thirst for varied, affordable entertainment

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Place your post about New Deal spending on arts projects here.

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Place your artwork post below

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Make TWO posts:

ONE:
- Choose one of the pieces of art on the Smithsonian Gallery (http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/online/1934/index.html) that you think represents some facet of American life during the Great Depression or the New Deal well.
Post:
- A screen shot of the image
- The name of the piece and the artist
- A description of why you chose it, including how you think it connects with the experience of American life during this time (tied to some kind of evidence)
- Include the topic and your name in the heading of your post (example: The 3 Rs - Wade Merrill)

TWO:
- Make a new post responding to the following:
The Great Depression was the ultimate American crisis. If government funds had to be spent on New Deal relief efforts, all of that money should have gone towards things that solved immediate emergencies or made a lasting difference: food relief, infrastructure, economic stimulus, etc. There is no reason tax payer money should have been spent on things like art and music. Tie your opnion to evidence from course materials.
- Place your post near the bottom prompt and include whether you agree or disagree in the title (example: Agree - Wade Merrill)