What if the secret to revitalizing today’s creative workforce lies in a forgotten 1970s government program?

In a time when society urgently seeks sustainable ways to support artists and strengthen communities, in this episode, the second of two, we revisit the CETA Arts Program—a bold experiment that transformed artists into public servants. You’ll hear how this unexpected initiative is influencing today’s creative policy landscape and how its legacy is being reimagined in pandemic-era artist relief efforts.

• Learn how CETA’s community-centered structure inspired programs like Creatives Rebuild New York, blending public service with creative employment.
• Discover the crucial real-world skills—like negotiation, humility, and adaptability—that artists must master but never learn in art school.
• Hear compelling personal stories of missteps, breakthroughs, and the often invisible work of artists who repair, reimagine, and rebuild community infrastructure.

Tune in to uncover timeless lessons and practical tools from an unsung chapter in U.S. history that’s helping shape the future of art and civic engagement today.

Notable Mentions:

Here’s alist of People, Events, Organizations, and Publications mentioned in the episode, each with a brief description and clickable links to learn more. P

1. People

• Virginia Maksymowicz – Sculptor, longtime CETA artist (1978–1979), and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project based in Philadelphia
• Blaise Tobia – Photographer, CETA participant documenting the NYC project, professor at Drexel, and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project
• Ted Berger – Arts advocate, former Executive Director of NYFA, and early leader in NYC’s CETA program
• John Kreidler – Architect of San Francisco’s first CETA Artists program in 1974, helped shape putting federal funds into art
• Ruth Asawa – Renowned sculptor and educator who helped launch the first CETA Arts experiment in San Francisco
• Sarah Calderón – Director of Creatives Rebuild New York who consulted with Virginia and Blaise on CETA models
• Molly Garfinkel – City Lore archivist who has supported the CETA Arts Legacy Project since 2017

2. Events / Programs

• CETA Artists Project (1978–1979) – Part of the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, this was the largest artist employment initiative since the WPA. Artists served in community centers, schools, prisons—and shaped public life through art
• CETA Arts Legacy Project – An initiative by former CETA artists (Virginia, Blaise, and others) to document and preserve the