"The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building exemplifies New Deal art and architecture at their best. It's the 'Sistine Chapel of the New Deal,' in the words of the founder of the Living New Deal."
"In 1935, Roosevelt's Social Security Act changed the covenant between the American people and the state. Social Security enshrined a new right to be protected against economic vicissitudes."
"The office in charge of the most prestigious commissions, the U.S. Treasury's Section of Fine Arts, held competitions and published an essay that effectively provided the theme. Its title was 'The Meaning of Social Security.'"
The New Deal utilized art and architecture to convey political ideas and reshape the social contract in America. The Franklin D. Roosevelt administration funded numerous public buildings and employed thousands of artists to enhance them. The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building exemplifies this effort, representing a shift in the relationship between Americans and the state through the Social Security Act. This building serves as a significant symbol of the New Deal's mission and its commitment to protecting citizens from economic hardships.
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