A featured event of this ongoing exhibit, "Twelve Maine Women: Portraits of Change," will take place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State Street.

Reserve your space for this free event here

Art as the New Deal: How the vision of Frances Perkins and the WPA extended relief to the human spirit, supporting the creative arts.

In the depths of the Great Depression, the New Deal did more than rebuild America’s infrastructure—it rescued its soul. Under the visionary leadership of Labor Secretary Frances Perkins and the architects of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the federal government made an unprecedented investment in the creative economy. By treating artists, writers, musicians, and actors as vital workers worthy of relief, Federal Project Number One proved that art is not a luxury, but a public good essential to the human spirit.

This Presentation explores the legacy of Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member, and the WPA arts initiatives and their profound impact on American culture.

Art as the New Deal

Art as the New Deal: How the WPA extended relief to the human spirit by employing artists.