A panel discussion was held on the historical impact of the Works Progress Administration’s culture and history programs. The programs included federal funding for art, writers, theatre and music projects. After presentations were made, the panelists responded to questions from members of the audience in the room and on the Internet. Joe Donahue moderated.
The panel included: Nick Taylor, author of American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the WPA" When FDR Put the Nation to Work; David A. Taylor, author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers' Project Uncovers Depression America; Susan Quinn, author of Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art out of Desperate Times; and Cynthia Koch, who had directed several cultural insitutions.
“Arts and History Programs” was part of the series of public forums, “1935 and the Enduring New Deal,” held in honor of the 75th anniversary of the enactment of programs such as the Works Progress Administration at the FDR Presidential Library, co-sponsored by the Roosevelt Institute.