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Documenting and Presenting the Posters of the WPA
(U.S. Works Progress Administration 1936 -1943) |
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BEHIND THE PROJECT
Posters for the People is a "People's Initiative" started in 2002 and dedicated to building the most comprehensive record of the posters created under the New Deal's Federal Art Project.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the government-supported Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed thousands of citizens, including hundreds of out-of-work artists. From 1935 to 1943, the WPA Poster Division was responsible for designing, printing, and distributing millions of posters to raise awareness about public issues and civic life. Unfortunately, the government did not keep a central record of these graphic artworks.
The largest public collection is housed at the Library of Congress, which has cataloged slightly more than 900 posters, a number the U.S. government deems is satisfactory for their records. With more than 35,000 designs created and two million posters printed, the majority of the WPA posters are scattered in other collections across the country or lost. Since there is no central historical steward of these artifacts, it’s hard to know exactly how many may still exist.
Posters for the People searches private and public holdings to create the most comprehensive Web-based database of known posters - a living archive. We preserve our American graphic design heritage through research, outreach, site visits, photography, and archiving.
A growing virtual collection, the archive has already doubled the number of posters documented federally and it has brought many to light that have not been seen by the public in more than seventy years.
Posters for the People was created by Ennis Carter & Alex Peltz
ENNIS CARTER is the founder and director of Social Impact Studios. Ennis studied Philosophy at New York University and worked as a community and student organizer in the late 1980s. Carter was named one of the 50 Best Women in Business by PA by Governor Rendell’s administration in 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter in Philadelphia.
ALEX PELTZ is the principal at Peltz Creative. Alex studied Art and Anthropology at Hamilton College.
Posters for the People is presented by Social Impact Studios
Since 1996, the people at Social Impact Studios have combined artistry & activism to promote important social issues. We believe good causes should get more attention than anything else. And we believe thoughtful, beautiful and meaningful communication is still the best way to engage and motivate people. Social Impact Studios is a creative hub where groups and creative activists collaborate, learn and do the work. From concept to creation, we design action plans, visuals, messages and moving grassroots experiences that make a social impact - together.
SPECIAL THANKS
Henry Vizcarra, 30Sixty
Poster data and images; silkscreen poster reproductions
Tom DuRant & Wade Dyers from the National Parks Services
Poster data and images
Art Institute of Chicago, department of Prints and Drawings
Poster data and images
Boston Public Library
Poster data and images
Northwestern University
Poster data
George Mason University Libraries
Poster data and images
Jim Findlay from Broward County Library
Poster data and images
Pennsylvania Historical Society
Poster data and images
Free Library of Philadelphia
Poster data and images
Roger Van Oosten
Poster data and images
Sid Brion
Poster data and images
Christopher DeNoon
Author, Posters of the WPA; Foreword author, Posters for the People (the book)
Ann Koivunen
Project Manager 2008
Cara Cox
Designer, Posters for the People (the book)
JJ Tiziou
Event photography
Works Progress Administration – the Band
Free music download and promotion. Check them out when they roll into your town!
During the 1930s and 1940s, the government-supported Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed thousands of citizens, including hundreds of out-of-work artists. From 1935 to 1943, the WPA Poster Division was responsible for designing, printing, and distributing millions of posters to raise awareness about public issues and civic life. Unfortunately, the government did not keep a central record of these graphic artworks.
The largest public collection is housed at the Library of Congress, which has cataloged slightly more than 900 posters, a number the U.S. government deems is satisfactory for their records. With more than 35,000 designs created and two million posters printed, the majority of the WPA posters are scattered in other collections across the country or lost. Since there is no central historical steward of these artifacts, it’s hard to know exactly how many may still exist.
Posters for the People searches private and public holdings to create the most comprehensive Web-based database of known posters - a living archive. We preserve our American graphic design heritage through research, outreach, site visits, photography, and archiving.
A growing virtual collection, the archive has already doubled the number of posters documented federally and it has brought many to light that have not been seen by the public in more than seventy years.
Posters for the People was created by Ennis Carter & Alex Peltz
ENNIS CARTER is the founder and director of Social Impact Studios. Ennis studied Philosophy at New York University and worked as a community and student organizer in the late 1980s. Carter was named one of the 50 Best Women in Business by PA by Governor Rendell’s administration in 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter in Philadelphia.
ALEX PELTZ is the principal at Peltz Creative. Alex studied Art and Anthropology at Hamilton College.
Posters for the People is presented by Social Impact Studios
Since 1996, the people at Social Impact Studios have combined artistry & activism to promote important social issues. We believe good causes should get more attention than anything else. And we believe thoughtful, beautiful and meaningful communication is still the best way to engage and motivate people. Social Impact Studios is a creative hub where groups and creative activists collaborate, learn and do the work. From concept to creation, we design action plans, visuals, messages and moving grassroots experiences that make a social impact - together.
SPECIAL THANKS
Henry Vizcarra, 30Sixty
Poster data and images; silkscreen poster reproductions
Tom DuRant & Wade Dyers from the National Parks Services
Poster data and images
Art Institute of Chicago, department of Prints and Drawings
Poster data and images
Boston Public Library
Poster data and images
Northwestern University
Poster data
George Mason University Libraries
Poster data and images
Jim Findlay from Broward County Library
Poster data and images
Pennsylvania Historical Society
Poster data and images
Free Library of Philadelphia
Poster data and images
Roger Van Oosten
Poster data and images
Sid Brion
Poster data and images
Christopher DeNoon
Author, Posters of the WPA; Foreword author, Posters for the People (the book)
Ann Koivunen
Project Manager 2008
Cara Cox
Designer, Posters for the People (the book)
JJ Tiziou
Event photography
Works Progress Administration – the Band
Free music download and promotion. Check them out when they roll into your town!
