Echoing Federal Theater Project, 18 Towns Plan Simultaneous Events

The article titled “Echoing Federal Theater Project, 18 Towns Plan Simultaneous Events” published by The New York Times on September 12, 2023 discusses a contemporary art endeavor that is a modern take on the 1936 mass staging of the dystopian play “It Can’t Happen Here” under the Federal Theater Project. This historical event occurred at a time when Fascism was on the rise in Europe, and the play was performed simultaneously in 18 U.S. cities and towns to provide work for artists during the Depression era.

Taking inspiration from this past project, the current initiative, led by Lear deBessonet and titled “Arts for EveryBody,” aims to foster community engagement and address cultural and health issues through art on July 27, 2024. The project is not limited to theater but includes a variety of participatory arts projects that respond to the theme “No Place Like Home,” inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” Unlike the unified approach of the original 1936 productions, each of the 18 participating communities across the United States will develop unique projects that reflect their local culture and concerns.

For instance, in Chicago, there will be artist apprenticeships at mental health clinics, while Tucson's Borderlands Theater will present a theatrical showcase focusing on mental health and healing. Other communities will tackle issues like water supply, housing costs, and food insecurity through their local projects.

The program directors, including deBessonet, Nataki Garrett, and Clyde Valentin, emphasize the necessity of adapting art to local contexts to truly resonate with and impact communities. This initiative, unlike its 1936 counterpart, is not government-sponsored but relies on funding from foundations, individuals, and the nonprofit Tides Center.

The overarching belief driving the initiative is that engaging with the arts can significantly improve health outcomes. This has led to a collaboration with the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida and the commissioning of studies to explore this link further. The chosen locations for these projects are diverse, ranging from urban areas like New York to smaller, rural areas like Utica, Mississippi, reflecting a deliberate attempt to include a broad geographic and demographic spectrum.

In summary, “Arts for EveryBody” seeks to use the arts as a vehicle for community engagement, health improvement, and social change, fostering connections and addressing local issues through culturally resonant projects.