Sources of Emergency Assistance for Artists
May
7
Written by:
5/7/2011 1:30 PM
It seems like the country is consumed by disasters. If you haven't been blown away, chances are pretty good that you are under water or on fire. I think everyone in a declared disaster zone is aware of assistance available through the Red Cross, FEMA, and the SBA. There are some tips for getting help from the major national relief providers here on the Studio Protector site.
But, you may not know that a number of arts organizations and funders have been working together as the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response for several years to try to build a better safety net for artists. This effort is in its infancy, but great strides have been made, including the Studio Protector, The Artist's Guide to Emergencies. Among the immediate benefits has been better channels of communications among organizations. We have been in touch with a number of our Coalition partners, and they want you to know that help is available.
I will start with my own organization:
(802) 229-2306
Provides assistance to professional craft artists who have suffered a career-threatening emergency. Available are grants up to $2,500, interest-free loans up to $8,000, and brokering of donations of tools, equipment, supplies and services from manufacturers, suppliers, and show promoters. Link to information on emergency relief assistance.
In addition CERF+ provides emergency preparedness and recovery information to all artists. The Studio Protector online guide has a wealth of information that is useful whether you are recovering from an emergency, helping someone else recover, or to be better prepared to act effectively if you are affected by an emergency. The following sections are particularly relevant, now:
Disaster Relief: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/DisasterRelief.aspx
Clean-up: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/Cleanup.aspx
Salvage: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/Salvage.aspx
e-Salvage: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/eSalvage.aspx
Emotional Recovery: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/Rebounding/EmotionalRecovery.aspx
Toll-free Help Line: 1.877.626.2748
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.
(212) 221-7300
The site includes a database of services and organizations that meet the unique and essential needs of the arts and entertainment professional. Select emergency related items in the Program menu under the map to search for emergency resources.
NYFASource is the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory of resources available to artists. The directory can be searched by discipline and type of information you are seeking.
www.artsready.org
South Arts, the regional arts organization for the southern U.S. is the resource for preparedness and recovery information for arts organizations. They are in the process of creating a comprehensive emergency planning tool for arts organizations. The ArtsReady web site contains useful information for both organizations and individual artists.
State-specific resources for the recent storms in the Southeast:
Alabama
Alabama Emergency Management Agency (Alabama EMA) - www.ema.alabama.gov
The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives - www.servealabama.gov
The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives works to increase an ethic of service and volunteerism in the state, strengthen the capacity of Alabama’s faith and community-based organizations, and promote collaboration among individuals and organizations striving to meet some of the greatest needs in the state.
Alabama Possible – www.alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/
Alabama Possible is a campaign of the Alabama Poverty Project, whose mission is to provide leadership in poverty education that results in the elimination of poverty.
Alabama State Council on the Arts - www.arts.state.al.us/news/index-news.html
Georgia
Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) - www.gema.state.ga.us/
Georgia Council for the Arts - www.gaarts.org/
Mississippi
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) - www.msema.org
Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund – www.mississippirelief.com
The Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund has been set up by Governor Haley Barbour to serve as the state’s central clearinghouse for corporations, organizations, and individuals to make financial donations to the thousands of Mississippians who are recovering from the devastating natural disasters, including the storms of April 15 and April 27 and the expected May flooding of the Mississippi River.
Mississippi Arts Commission - www.arts.state.ms.us
Tennessee
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) - www.tnema.org/
Tennessee Arts Commission - www.arts.state.tn.us/
Virginia
Virginia Department of Emergency Management - www.vaemergency.com
Virginia Commission for the Arts - www.arts.virginia.gov/