Wheatpaste action in Richmond, VA by Free Bangura
U.S. Department of Arts and Culture launches “A People’s WPA” calling for a publicly funded artist works program
This Labor Day, a new, vividly Illustrated book launches with a public “wheatpasting” poster campaign across 4 U.S. Cities, as US Congressional Representatives propose a new WPA style program.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM; CHICAGO, IL; DETROIT, MI; and RICHMOND, VA, September 6, 2021— On Labor Day, The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture (USDAC) will unveil 4 large-scale public “wheatpasting” poster campaigns in several US cities to coincide with the launch of A People’s WPA, a bold proposal (and book!) that aims to uplift essential forms of cultural work, and offer guidance on how to build an inspiring vision of our shared future. The USDAC is a national people-powered network (not a federal agency) composed of artists, activists, and allies inciting creativity and social imagination to shape a culture of equity, empathy, and belonging.
The richly illustrated publication, A People’s WPA, calls upon policy makers to institute a publicly-funded artist works program – reenvisioning the WPA of the past – that recognizes the ways that artists contribute to society along 7 themes: DEEPENING DEMOCRACY, HEALING, LIBERATION, NOURISHMENT, REGENERATION, REMEMBERING, and TRUTH TELLING. Over the course of a year, USDAC collaborated with 25 projects across the US that embody these ideas in action, and commissioned 25 poster artists to illustrate the power of their work. USDAC is excited to release a publication featuring these works, along with essays, toolkits and policy ideas that can help pave the way forward.
Four artists/artist collectives in four different cities will deploy public wheatpasting campaigns of the WPA-style posters included in the book to promote the work. They are: fronteristxs (Albuquerque, NM), William Estrada (Chicago, IL), Sacramento Knoxx (Detroit, MI), and Free Bangura (Richmond, VA). In addition to coinciding with A People’s WPA launch, the wheatpastes also coincide with the introduction of HB #5019 Creative Economy Revitalization Act (CERA) by Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and Representative Jay Obernolte (D-CA), along with Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ted Lieu (D-CA).
“A recovery from the pandemic must include culture at its core.” said Raquel de Anda, The USDAC’s Minister of Bridge Building. “A People’s WPA builds upon existing pieces of legislation and public works programs to affirm the role that artists play in repairing society and moving us all towards a more just, sustainable and enriching future,”
For a complete list of posters and collaborators, visit usdac.us/peopleswpa
Schedule of Events:
Twitter townhall lead-up event - Wednesday, September 1st
Poster campaign - Labor Day Weekend
Book launch - Labor Day
About the US Department of Arts and Culture
The USDAC is a network of artists, activists, and allies inciting creativity and social imagination to shape a culture of equity, empathy, and belonging.
The USDAC affirms the right to culture and pursuing cultural democracy that:
Welcomes each individual as a whole person
Values each community’s heritage, contributions, and aspirations
Promotes caring, reciprocity, and open communication across all lines of difference
Dismantles all barriers to love and justice
