The Great Depression of the 1930's prompted government action on a massive scale, including an unprecedented role for the Federal Government as a patron of the arts. Between 1933 and 1943, a variety of federal programs funded the creation of thousands of sculptures, paintings, drawings, and murals. Most of the work was to be displayed in New Deal-created public buildings, and many survive to this day and stand as an important reminder of a critical era in American history.

New Deal Art legacies, particularly the many post office murals around the country which often represent important local, state, and national historical themes, can be effectively used by students and teachers to examine the past. In fact, many murals are so rich in content that they offer opportunities to develop inquiry-based projects that integrate technology and all the academic disciplines.

Thus, this website has two essential objectives: One, to foster an awareness of New Deal Art wherever the legacies remain, and Two, to promote the use of these works of art as resources for teaching and learning.