21st Century Federal Writers’ Project Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new version of the 1930s Federal Writers' Project. It would give grants to nonprofits and state arts agencies to hire writers, photographers, and artists. These professionals would record the history, culture, and daily lives of people in every state and territory.
• The project aims to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. By capturing stories from all regions, including rural and Tribal communities, the program hopes to help Americans understand each other better and build a sense of national unity.
• The National Endowment for the Arts would manage the program. They would hire an editor-in-chief to make sure the work is accurate and covers a wide range of topics. All finished stories, photos, and recordings would be kept in a public archive at the Library of Congress for everyone to see.
• The program would give a hiring preference to people with experience in writing, journalism, and library work. It also removes the usual requirement for organizations to provide their own matching funds, making it easier for smaller groups to participate.

Impact Analysis

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