Federal Art Project, Photographic Division collection, circa 1920-1965, bulk 1935-1942

Collection Information

Size: 12.4 Linear feet

Summary: The Federal Art Project, Photographic Division collection dates from circa 1920-1965, with the bulk of the records spanning the active years of the Federal Art Project (FAP), 1935-1942. The collection comprises 12.4 linear feet of mostly photographic prints and negatives that document primarily artwork produced by artists employed by the FAP. A smaller number of photographs also document other programs of the FAP, such as art classes and community centers, exhibitions by children and adults, artwork installed in public buildings, project divisions, and demonstrations of art processes by FAP artists.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Federal Art Project (FAP) was one of the Depression-era work-relief programs of the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). The program was founded in August 1935 to provide employment for artists and to implement visual arts programs in local communities across the country. Read More

Provenance

The collection was anonymously donated to the Archives of American Art in the late 1950s.

Related Materials

Among the holdings of the Archives of American Art are related collections, including the Federal Art Project of the Work Projects Administration records, 1935-1948. Additional FAP records are held by the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C.

Language Note

English .

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of Federal Art Project. Photographic Division in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2017, and total 18,430 images.

Funding Note

Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art and The Walton Family Foundation