Description
This poster, which shows two deer running in front of a vehicle, urges the public not to "kill our wildlife." Created by the Federal Arts Project, under the Works Progress Administration, posters such as these helped raise awareness about important issues, including environmental protection. Thousands of artists across the United States found employment through this program.
"Established in 1935, as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the Works Progress Administration was created as a relief measure. Through a variety of programs, such as construction and reforestation, it offered work to the unemployed. By the time the project was terminated in 1943, it had provided work for more than 8,500,000 people on 1,410,000 projects. Over 650,000 miles of roads were built, and thousands of bridges, parks, and public buildings were repaired.
The Federal Arts Project was a special program under the WPA, which allowed thousands of otherwise unemployed artists to decorate businesses with their work. They created more than 2,500 murals and 17,500 pieces of sculpture all over the United States. Over 2,000 posters were also created, which addressed issues such as education and public health, reflecting the state of the nation during World War II. This program paved the way for both the National Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Creator
Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project, Department of the Interior, National Park Service (Design attributed to John Wagner)
Identifier
Environment, Campaign, WPA, Federal Arts Project, Murals, Scultptures, Wildlife, National Foundation for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities