When the United States economy reaches its breaking point, it historically turns to socialist policy to right the damage capitalism has wrought. In December 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) into federal law, enacting a nationwide service to train workers and provide them with jobs in public service.
.
In New York City, over 500 artists found work through the Cultural Council Foundation’s CETA Artists Project – the largest federal arts employment effort since the Works Progress Administration of 1933-42. Among the were photographers Meryl Meisler and Brooklyn native Larry Racioppo. On January 1, 1978, Racioppo started a job that paid him $10,000 a year – more than enough to live in New York City before it was gentrified.
.
“Being chosen for the CETA program was a big break emotionally and financially. I had taught photography at an alternative high school the year before but did not return in the Fall of 1977. I was scraping by with a little freelance work but was considering renewing my NYC taxi license,” Racioppo says.
.
.
