San Francisco Artists and Writers Union facts for kids

The San Francisco Artists and Writers Union was a group of artists and writers in San Francisco. They came together during the Great Depression, a time in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs and money. This union helped artists find work and speak up for their rights.

How the Union Started and What It Did

The San Francisco Artists and Writers Union first met in late 1933. Even though it was called a "union," it wasn't like a typical workers' union that bargains for pay. Instead, it helped artists and writers find jobs.

During the Great Depression, the United States government created programs to help people. Two important programs were the Public Works of Art Project and the Works Progress Administration. These programs hired artists to create public art, like murals. The Union helped San Francisco artists get these jobs. They made sure artists knew about the opportunities and could work together on big projects.

One of the most important things the Union did was protest when people tried to control what artists could create. In 1934, there were two big arguments about art. One was about a mural by Diego Rivera in New York City. The other was about the Coit Tower murals in San Francisco. Some people didn't like the ideas shown in these artworks. The Union members stood up for the artists' freedom to express themselves. They even picketed, or protested, for two weeks during the Coit Tower mural argument.

Who Were the Members?

The Union was started by two creative people: Kenneth Rexroth, who was a poet, and Bernard Zakheim, who was a muralist. Many other artists and writers joined them. Some well-known members included Frank Triest, Shirley Triest, and Victor Arnautoff. In total, about 350 artists and writers were part of the San Francisco Artists and Writers Union.