New Deal and the arts in New Mexico

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program created funding for art projects which would inspire confidence in American life and history.

George Biddle generated the idea of American artists painting murals in selected public buildings in New Mexico.

Various public libraries, courthouses, post offices and state and county buildings received original works of art in the form of easel painting, murals or decorative objects.

The regional committee which helped organize and select local administrators consisted of Senator Bronson Cutting, architect John Gaw Meem and social activist writer Mary Austin.

Baumann and other team members traveled throughout New Mexico, selecting towns and potential sites to be considered for artwork.

He received a salary and transportation to travel New Mexico, asking local people and artists to recommend buildings for the artwork.

When the PWAP project ended in June 1934 Region 13 had employed 3,600 artists and produced more than 16,000 works of art, created for public display.

Donald Baer was the regional director of District 5, which included New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

The Hispanic population benefited most from the FAP program, since they were the largest ethnic group in New Mexico and required considerable assistance during the Depression years.

Olin Dows (a professional painter) agreed to be the unsalaried national director, Jesse Nusbaum was the regional advisor and artist Emil Bisttram was the local supervisor in New Mexico.