Final answer:
Ruth Crawford worked on government-sponsored projects as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. She likely contributed to the Federal Music Project and the Federal Art Project, supporting the preservation of American music and art.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ruth Crawford, after she stopped composing in the 1930s, worked on government-sponsored projects as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was an initiative implemented during the Great Depression to provide employment opportunities for various groups, including artists and musicians.
Within the WPA, Crawford would have likely been involved in the Federal Music Project, which provided performances and documented American music, and the Federal Art Project, which commissioned paintings, murals, and sculptures. These projects aimed to support artists financially and contribute to the preservation of American culture.
For example, the Federal Art Project funded community art centers and subsidized art classes in public schools, while the Federal Music Project created archives of uniquely American music and organized performances throughout the country. Overall, Crawford's work on government-sponsored projects helped maintain the arts industry during a difficult economic period.