CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) was a federal employment law enacted
in 1973. The CETA program was created to help reduce unemployment and improve the
incomes and employability of participants. CETA funds were administered in a
decentralized manner by state and local governments, who could disperse the funds as
they saw fit. In 1982, CETA was replaced by the Job Training Partnership Act.
The exhibit of "The Spirit of Milwaukee" was a cooperative agreement between the
Common Council's Special Committee on Public Information and the students and
faculty of the Milwaukee Center for Photography. The photographs were taken between
February and May of 1976 in Milwaukee, documenting Milwaukee life during the 1976
Bicentennial. After the Bicentennial, the program continued and the City of
Milwaukee CETA Arts Program hired student photographers from the Milwaukee Center
for Photography to take pictures and document Milwaukee. CETA Artist for 1977 was
Susan Armour. CETA Artist from 1978-1979 was Lola Kennedy. CETA Artist from
1979-1981 was Beth Murray. The Department of City Development would then exhibit the
photographs, as well as other art created under the program.
