Co-presented with NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). Q&A with Producer Marc Levin moderated by Co-Director of City Lore Molly Garfinkel.
The largest federally funded job program for artists in the nation, New York City's CETA Artists project, is the subject of The Federal Artist - a portrait of the beginnings of an historic experiment in public service employment. Not since the Depression's WPA Federal Arts Project had so many artists (over 500) been put to work by the government. In addition to creating a composite portrait of the “Federal Artist," the film looks at government support of artists’ works at a time when the entire public service employment system was under scrutiny. Highlights include "Federal Artists” teaching or performing for whom art is usually inaccessible - the poor, the sick, and the institutionalized. Johan Sellenraad redesigns an aging subway station. Sandra Esteves performs her poetry in the South Bronx. Charles Cook and Jane Goldberg revive tap dancing on the streets of New York. The CETA Jazzmobile brings the sounds of Big Bands to Rikers Island. Bannerjee creates a mural with 5-year-olds. The Philharmonia Orchestra of New York presents a concert at a hospital in Brooklyn. Also profiled is Marguerite Munch’s painting class at the Sirovich Senior Citizens Center. When 86-year-old Sam Bernstein is asked whether such a project is worthwhile, he says, "If it weren't for art, I wouldn't be here."
The Federal Artist is an hour-long video documentary which originally aired on WNET/THIRTEEN. The program was produced by Media Works, a project administered by the Foundation for Independent Video and Film as part of the Cultural Council Foundation's Artists Project. It was produced and edited by Marc Levin and directed by Emilio Murillo. It features Charles Cook, Jane Goldberg, Sandra Esteves, and Johan Sellenraad. All those who worked on the video had their positions funded by the CETA program.