in

A Day in the Life: Exploring 1935 New York Through the Lens of the Federal Art Project

1935 was a challenging year for New York City, as the Great Depression continued to cast a long shadow over the city. The economic downturn had led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. However, amidst the hardship, the city’s resilient spirit endured.

The Federal Art Project (FAP), established as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, played a crucial role in supporting artists during this difficult time. By providing employment opportunities, the FAP helped to preserve artistic talent and document the social and economic realities of the era.

A City in Crisis

New York City in 1935 was a city marked by stark contrasts. The opulent mansions of the wealthy coexisted with the squalid tenements of the poor. The bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan, filled with shoppers and tourists, contrasted with the desolate neighborhoods of the Bronx and Harlem, where poverty and unemployment were rampant.

Read more

The Great Depression had hit New York City hard. Many people were struggling to make ends meet, and homelessness was a growing problem. Soup kitchens and breadlines became common sights, as people lined up for basic necessities.

The Role of the Federal Art Project

The Federal Art Project (FAP) provided a lifeline for many artists during the Great Depression. By commissioning works of art and providing employment opportunities, the FAP helped to preserve the cultural heritage of the United States.

In New York City, the FAP supported a wide range of artistic endeavors, including painting, sculpture, and photography. Photographers employed by the FAP documented the city’s changing landscape, capturing the impact of the Depression on its people and its neighborhoods. These photographs offer a valuable historical record of a city in crisis.

Despite the economic hardship, life in New York City continued. People went about their daily routines, working, shopping, and seeking entertainment. The city’s theaters, cinemas, and music halls provided much-needed escapism.

However, the Depression had a significant impact on the city’s cultural life. Many theaters and concert halls closed their doors, and cultural institutions struggled to survive. Nevertheless, a vibrant underground arts scene emerged, offering hope and inspiration to a city in need.

#39 Wood houses and roadway under construction, 1935.

#56 Children on a sidewalk; man sitting on a step, 1935.

#87 Two houses separated by the beams of a ragged house, 1935

#90 Depression in suburban or small-town setting, 1935

#94 Kitchen interior: Father, baby, and mother ironing, 1935.

#115 Woman sitting on a garbage can next to a vacant lot, 1935.

#160 Pretzels on First Avenue and 14th Street, circa 1935.

#168 Children at the top of a shabby staircase, 1935.

#188 Schoolboy and old doors against wire fence, 1935.

#196 Kitchen interior: woman ironing, man with child, 1935.

#210 Bananas on First Avenue and 8th Street, circa 1935.

Written by Henry Parker

Content writer, SEO analyst and Marketer. You cannot find me playing any outdoor sports, but I waste my precious time playing Video Games..

Leave a Reply

Comment using name and email. Or Register an account

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings