Art for the People: Art in Michigan Sponsored By the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, 1934 to 1943. (Volumes I and II) (Murals, Depression).

Abstract

The State of Michigan was the site of extensive federally-sponsored art activity during the Depression and post-Depression years from 1934 to 1943. Although government-sponsored art from this period in several states has received careful scholarly attention, this thesis is the first in-depth study of any aspect of that art in Michigan. The study focuses on the series of works produced for post office walls throughout the State under the sponsorship of the Treasury Section of Fine Arts (commonly known simply as "Section"). This art is particularly revealing of government ideas about art during the years of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency because, more than the art created under any other government arm during this period, Section art exhibited many aspects of a common esthetic that clearly was the result of the Section's commissioning process. The thesis presents a summary of government sponsorship of art in the United States during the period and a general analysis of the Section esthetic before centering on the study of the commissioning of themes, style, and reception of Section-sponsored art in Michigan. This thesis is a product of extensive research in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., personal interviews with surviving artists, study of the actual artwork, and consideration of all available pertinent secondary information. A catalogue of representative post office works throughout Michigan is included for specific illustration of the ideas set forth.