The Federal Art Project ran from 1935 to 1943. This project was run through the New Deal Works Progress Administration Federal One, to encourage fine artists to create art during the Depression.
Many fine works of art were created during this time, by such top artists as Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton. You can see some of them here.
This program provided jobs for out-of-work artists and art was created for libraries, schools, and hospitals.
See more of them at The Library of Congress.
Here are some vintage library posters from the WPA Art Project in Chicago.
The posters included in this post were created by Arlington Gregg.