A Living for Us All: Artists and the WPA

This exhibition examines the profound impact of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) on American artists and the cultural landscape during the Great Depression. The WPA, a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, provided crucial employment and support for thousands of artists across the nation from 1935 to 1943. Through paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs from SFMOMA's collection, the show explores how this groundbreaking federal program enabled artists to sustain their practice, experiment with new forms, and contribute to public spaces and institutions. The exhibition highlights the diverse voices and artistic visions that emerged during this pivotal moment in American art history, demonstrating how government support fostered creativity and cultural resilience during economic hardship.