This year’s programming for RAP (Roosevelt Arts Project) is addressing not only budget cuts to arts funding but also asking the larger question of what is the value of art in this particular close -knit community. Initially a utopian cooperative for Jewish garment workers from New York during FDR’s New Deal — eventually Roosevelt became a artist community with the arrival of Ben Shahn and friends. Today the community holds on to their history ….
Roosevelt has a unique history
In March we held what will hopefully the first of many experimental workshops where the Roosevelt community reflects on the role of art in present day Roosevelt, NJ.
Eventually the idea is that former RPS art teacher Barbara Atwood and I will be crafting the community response into multi-media toy theater. Participation from this workshop and other community interactions will help shape a collective project.
