New York promotes the art scene

Elke Buhr in conversation with Massimo Maio

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The artist Georgette Seabrooke, who is working here on a mural in Harlem, New York, was also promoted as part of the New Deal. (picture-alliance / dpa / akg-images)

In the 1930s, artists such as Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner were promoted in the USA as part of the New Deal. This approach is now being taken up again in New York – a good idea, according to journalist Elke Buhr.

Artists need money, and urgently – after more than a year of pandemic. In New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced that he would spend $ 25 million to hire artists to create art in and for public spaces. This is reminiscent of the 1930s in the USA.

As part of the New Deal under US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, millions were also spent on artists after the economic crisis in order to promote them and to create good new art. We talked to the editor-in-chief of the art magazine “Monopol” Elke Buhr about it.

New York kills “several birds with one stone”

This is a “super concept” for the city, says Elke Buhr, because New York “kills several birds with one stone”. After the pandemic, in which many shops also had to close, this would revitalize the city and make it more attractive again. Not only should sculptures be shown, but pop-up actions and performances are also planned.

Two thirds of the people who have worked in the arts lost their jobs last year because of the pandemic, says Buhr, and they are now sure to be happy when they have a job again. However, only 1500 people would have a chance to participate in the program. That is only a small percentage of the artists living in New York, says Elke Buhr, but “at least”.

At that time also scholarships for Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner

The “Federal Art Project” (FAP) of the 1930s is still a “mythical idea”, says Buhr. Before and after that, the US state had never invested so much money in art again. Tens of thousands of people were supported with a small salary every week for years.

Abstract painting artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Leonore “Lee” Krasner received a grant and could have made a living from it when their art had not yet been bought, explains Buhr.

At that time, however, it was not just about promoting art, but also wanted to do something for society. In art centers, artists also had teaching positions and they would have done something for the city districts. “That is still a myth to this day.”

A role model for Germany?

Compared to the USA, art is already being promoted in many places in Germany, said Buhr. Galleries are supported and there are scholarship programs. In the USA the program had such “impact” at that time because the program was very visible as part of the nationwide New Deal.

(goes)

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