The New Deal policies put in place by Franklin Roosevelt sought to alleviate the suffering of millions of unemployed Americans by putting them back to work. These included jobs for tens of thousands of artists, including musicians, actors, dancers, writers, photographers, painters, and sculptors. Asked why the government should provide jobs for unemployed artists, New Deal administrator Harry Hopkins replied, "Hell, they've got to eat just like other people." The Federal Arts Project rescued artists from poverty and despair. But they also served a larger purpose - to give all Americans access to art and culture. About 400,000 works of art were created, including murals in Post Offices, paintings, prints, and posters.

Local woodcut print artist Fred Dylla joins Fireside Chat organizer and host Paul Sparrow to explore the remarkable legacy of the Federal Arts Project, and present work by some of the artists who participated including Jackson Pollack, muralist Edith Hamlin, and Mark Rothko.

Fred Dylla is Executive Director Emeritus of the American Institute of Physics and author of Scientific Journeys: a physicist explores the culture, history and personalities of science. He also is one of the organizers and moderators of the library's “Science and Society - Making Sense of the World Around Us” lecture series.

Paul M. Sparrow is a writer, historical consultant, and the former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Before moving to the FDR Library, he was the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President at the Newseum in Washington, DC. He is the author of the book, Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy.

Each individual attending must register to reserve a seat. Do NOT sign up two people under one reservation.

President Franklin Roosevelt broadcast his first Fireside Chat on March 12th, 1933, just eight days after his inauguration. During his 12 years in office he delivered dozens of Fireside Chats, guiding America through the Great Depression, and guiding a global audience through the horrors of World War Two. FDR’s Fireside Chats were a new form of political communication, using radio to connect with Americans in an intimate setting – right in their living rooms. His compelling and persuasive broadcasts encouraged Americans to believe in democracy and its future. Paul Sparrow hosts this series of programs that build on the foundation laid by FDR’s Fireside Chats, and find their relevance to our world today.

NOTE: this session is available to attend in-person or through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER and indicate which you prefer. Each in-person attendee must register separately.

If you need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email us.

Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here. Closed captioning is available for all our sessions. Information on enabling closed captioning in Zoom may be found here.