Setting the Stage: Federal Support of Architecture & Art 

The prosperity of the 1920s was highlighted in a political ad from October,1928, which argued that growth in wages and dividends, as well as progress in general, all made a “Vote for Hoover” the right thing to do. The economic success of the two previous administrations in which Hoover was appointed Secretary of Commerce and his nickname as the “Great Humanitarian” served him well. In the end, he carried the 1928 election with over 58% of the vote, including a winning margin in his opponent's home state.  

Early in his term, on April 25, 1929, Hoover addressed the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He spoke of Washington, DC and the need to move 25,000 government employees from rented spaces to new buildings. He stated: 

“The founders of the Republic also gave us a great tradition in architecture. In after years we have held to it in some periods and in others we have fallen sadly away from it. Although it is perhaps too early to envisage such a glorious future, I do hope to live to see the day when we shall remove from Washington the evidences of those falls from the high standards which would have been deplored by the founders of our Republic and have been deplored by the citizens of good taste ever since these transgressions.” 

This speech and Hoover’s entry into the discussion of architecture, with its implicit impact on the decorative arts, became a debate impacting the government, the art establishment, and those with more modern concepts up through the Unites States’ entry into World War II. 

But greater, more immediate political concerns struck the presidency within months and overshadowed conversations about art and architecture, most notably the stock market crash in September. Hoover's administration attempted relief efforts to address employment, farming, and other financial measures. However, Hoover, lacking legislative support after the 1930 midterm elections, lost support for his approach, which highlighted local relief.  

In contrast, Hoover’s opponent in the 1932 election, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), promised “A New Deal” for the country. He sought a broader federal approach for the entire nation, one that he first attempted on the state level as New York Governor from 1929-1932. FDR was the first state leader in the US to implement a broad relief effort. His program included aid for struggling artists in New York City. The Temporary Emergency Relief Administration funding (TERA), worked through the College Art Association (CAA) to implement an experimental art program in New York City from December 1932 until August 1933 when funds ran dry. The purpose of this program was to employ artists to decorate public buildings with murals and teach children in settlement houses. Through this effort,100 artists received a weekly stipend of $15 each. 

This wide-reaching approach to aid helped Roosevelt carry the presidential election by a wide margin. He took office on March 4, 1933. A nation struggling with a 25% unemployment rate had to meet the needs of many, including artists. Audrey McMahon, CAA Director, emphasized this reality when she pled to extend the City artist relief effort, “...shall our walls remain blank, and blank the minds of our people to art, and blank of hope the lives of our artist?”

Next panel... Architecture & Grandeur