Both Steven Jaffe and Nicholas Lampert describe how despite all the challenges that came with the Great Depression, there was also enthusiasm for the arts that came along with it. Artists, whether it be musicians, actors, dancers, etc. were left with the question that faced millions of Americans nationwide, “What now?”
Steven Jaffe explains that during times when workers were not allowed to form unions, racism was rising, and people were being laid off left and right, artists began using all types of performances to spread joy, and awareness, during a time of chaos. People were being exposed to the real and honest events that were taking place at the time, in a way that made it all the more enjoyable and much less scary. Americans wanted these performances to be funded similar to the Soviet Union, however, the resistance sparked even more controversy and created a great divide between those who felt passionately about the arts in America and those who did not.
Nicholas Lampert on the other hand, describes the many ups and downs that artists went through both prior to, and during the Depression. He argued that artists had always been looking to be funded by the Government in America, though they were very often not so lucky, and therefore this was nothing they had not seen before. They were constantly fighting to be similar to countries like Russia and Mexico, where the arts were welcomed and desired with open arms, and clearly given the right to Government funds. However, American politicians, especially those in favor of the New Deal, grew hostile to this and would simply label those in favor as “Communists.” This alone could often be enough to quiet any opposition. As a result, organizations such as the WPA-FAP were created in order for artists to be provided with the opportunity to do what they loved.
Eventually, artists took matters into their own hands and began lobbying for Federal and State jobs. Temporary relief funds would also be granted, however they could not be relied on to last for an extended period of time. Additionally, the Artists’ Unions was formed where, again, artists would take action in order to obtain work and make sure that administrators were treating their employees fairly. Unionists proved that they were willing to do just about anything in order to have the arts be embraced in 20th century America the way they felt it deserved to be. They would participate in all different campaigns and solidarity actions in order to really take a stance and be heard. Despite the many ups and downs they would endure, the Union displayed artists as laborers and workers, and successfully brought together a great amount of artists all invested in the economic issues that faced the country.
During the 20th century the arts were an extremely controversial and debated topic in America. Whether they should be funded by the Government or how to take a stance on economic issues, artists proved that they were up to the challenge and would continue moving forward no matter how many times they were knocked down.
N.O
