NASA_Art_Program
The NASA Art Program was established in 1962. NASA administrator, James Webb, jump-started the program by recommending artists to become involved in the agency.[1] Artists, including Norman Rockwell, Robert Rauschenberg, Malcolm H. Smith and Andy Warhol were commissioned to record the history of space exploration through the eyes of artists. The first director of the Art Program was James Dean (NASA).[2] Using artists of different mediums and genres serves the purpose of educating different audiences about NASA and space exploration.[3] To give the artists the best experience possible, NASA allowed them unprecedented access to sites and materials. Participants were present at suit-up, launch sites, and press releases.[2] All works, from sketches to finished products, were given to NASA for use in museums and exhibitions.[4] The collection now includes 2,500 works by more than 350 artists. The program still exists today but is much smaller.[5]