In times of crisis, artists and cultural organizations are often among those most affected. The arts are also one of the first things regions, communities and neighborhoods turn to in times of need. This resource provides tools that artists, arts agencies and cultural organizations can use to prepare and recover from natural disasters and unexpected emergencies.
RESOURCES
CERF+ Emergency Assistance
Artists who have suffered from a recent, career-threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire, or natural disaster, can apply for grants and/or brokered assistance through CERF+
National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness & Emergency Response
The National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Resources (NCAPER) is a taskforce of national, regional, state, and local arts organizations, public agencies, and foundations. The coalition provides preparedness tips and other helpful resources for arts organizations.
Heritage Emergency National Task Force
TheHeritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), co-sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Smithsonian Institution, is a partnership of 42 national service organizations and federal agencies that offers resources and training to protect cultural heritage in our nation’s states, tribes, territories and local communities from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Fill out the Rapid Damage Assessment Form for Cultural Institutions.
Call the National Heritage Responders hotline at 202-661-8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance includes the downloadable FEMA fact sheets After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures and Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms, available in multiple languages.
National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
NCAPER helps to build the stability and resilience of the art sector by coordinating with other arts preparedness programs - including Performing Arts Readiness and ArtsReady and CERF+ the Studio Protector: The Artists’ Guide to Emergencies - to provide a coordinated system of communication and information sharing for arts responders.
Organizations and individuals impacted by natural disasters and emergencies are encouraged to fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:The information gathered will help us identify where assistance is sought, provide assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and inform how recovery efforts move forward. This survey should take approximately 8-10 minutes to complete.
If you are not able to complete this survey online, please email info@ncaper.org to request a paper copy.
Americans for the Arts Disaster Preparedness
Americans for the Arts provides a checklist for arts organizations to help guide their emergency and disaster planning.
Performing Arts Readiness
Performing Arts Readiness seeks to increase knowledge and ability of performing arts organizations to create and execute emergency recovery plans. They offer free webinars and onsite training, conference presentations, grants, and tools to help build disaster preparedness.
ArtsReady
ArtsReady is an online emergency preparedness service by and for arts/cultural nonprofits. They provide arts organizations with customized business continuity plans for post-crisis sustainability. ArtsReady and dPlan also released the Pocket Response Resource for Arts & Cultural Organizations and a curated and annotated Resource Library of free emergency-planning resources.
Get Ready + Resilient
The “ArtUp: Get Ready + Resilient” webinar, by Jenifer Simon of CERF+ and Brett Beasley of Ceramicist, helps artists better protect their career, prepare for emergencies and get back on their feet after challenges through resources available from CERF+ The Artists Safety Net.
State Historical Society of Iowa
The State Historical Society of Iowa provides resources for the basics of disaster planning, disaster planning and management, and specifics for protecting official, historical records.
Online Platforms for the Arts
The following are platforms for sharing, meeting, and broadcasting about the arts, which may help expand your reach in times of crisis: Twitch, Loom, Zoom, Discord, Connect the Arts, Google Hangouts and Google Meet.
The Facebook Watch Party feature allows artists, arts agencies and organizations to view and share videos with members of Facebook groups.
Vimeo Virtual Events allow users to engage in a live streaming experience. This resource helps artists, arts agencies and organizations avoid cancellation costs and to expand the reach and impact of their events.