NASA administrator, James Webb, jump-started the program by recommending artists to become involved in the agency.
[2] Using artists of different mediums and genres serves the purpose of educating different audiences about NASA and space exploration.
[3] To give the artists the best experience possible, NASA allowed them unprecedented access to sites and materials.
[5] James Dean (an artist and NASA employee) became the head of the program with the help of Hereward Lester Cooke, a curator of National Galleys.
[6] Artists first time observing a mission was the last Mercury launch, with Gordon Cooper's Faith 7.