Founding member of the American Artists Congress in New York City
Poet involved
What happened
Orrick Johns was a founding member of the American Artists Congress, an organization established in February 1936 in New York City as part of the Popular Front against fascism. The congress united artists in projects to combat the spread of fascism and promote social justice, and Johns's involvement reflected his deep commitment to political activism.
Literary impact
His involvement in the American Artists Congress solidified Johns's reputation as a politically engaged writer and connected him with a wider community of artists committed to antifascist activism. The congress's emphasis on collective action and cultural resistance reinforced his belief that poetry could serve as a tool for social change, a conviction that animated his work throughout the 1930s.
Source: University of Texas at Austin
