The Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) was a New Deal program initiated in 1933 during the Great Depression. Its primary goal was to provide employment for artists while enhancing public spaces with art. The project funded the creation of murals, sculptures, and other artworks in public buildings and parks across the United States. The PWAP was part of a broader effort by the federal government to stimulate the economy and support the arts. It employed thousands of artists, including notable figures like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, and left a lasting impact on American art and culture.