Resources for Disaster Relief

If you or an arts/cultural organization you care about has been impacted by a severe weather or a disaster-related event, please fill out the rapid damage assessment forms below. These forms help local, state, and national arts agencies connect with emergency management resources to quickly identify your urgent needs and deliver assistance quickly and efficiently.

Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:

• Cultural Institutions Form
• Arts Organizations Form
• Individual Artists and Performing Groups Form

Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN)

Do you live in Kentucky and need assistance filling out the form? Contact the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN). KHERN is a state-wide initiative that connects Kentucky artists, cultural organizations, and institutions with emergency relief assistance. We work in collaboration with local and state agencies to provide rapid support during disasters.

• Phone: +1 859-428-7810
• Email: help@khern.org

The National Heritage Responders

The National Heritage Responders is a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation that are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.

Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline anytime at: 202.661.8068.

Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.

Save Your Family Treasures

FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), a partnership of 62 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage. 

For guidance on salvaging water-damaged documents and cherished belongings, visit Save Your Family Treasures.

The following fact sheets are available in English and other languages at Heritage Emergency National Task Force | FEMA.gov:

• Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Treasures (fema.gov)
• After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures (fema.gov)
• After the Fire: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures (fema.gov)

Other Resources 

Salvage/DIY recovery tips from CERF+ for artists/studios

Art Triage and Salvage

Public Assistance 

If your area receives a major disaster declaration, it opens up possibilities for recovery funding for eligible private, nonprofit organizations in eligible counties, including arts organizations and cultural institutions. Monitor your state’s emergency management website, e.g., Kentucky's Office of Emergency Management website, for information about Public Assistance, which has deadlines associated with the various steps of the program.

This helpful guide, An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief, breaks down federal disaster relief for the arts and culture sector for artists and arts organizations. The guide, published by NCAPER, will help you decide what’s possible and not possible in terms of assistance, and if pursuing federal aid is a good use of your time.

Emergency Grants for Craft Artists: CERF+

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) provides $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to eligible craft artists recovering from a recent disaster. Visit cerfplus.org for full guidelines and the online application. Contact: programs@cerfplus.org | (802) 229-2306

Entertainment Community Fund

The Entertainment Community Fund fosters stability and resiliency and provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals.

MusiCares

Anyone working in the music industry is encouraged to contact MusiCares for help.  This includes musicians, songwriters, engineers, producers, live crew, tour bus drivers, managers, agents, A&R, makeup artists, costume designers, music video creatives & technicians, and anyone whose livelihood depends on music or makes music happen.

University of Kentucky Disaster Preparedness Publications

Developed in collaboration with Community Arts Extension, these resources offer practical guidance for preparedness and recovery:

• Artifact/Collections Response
• Damage Assessment, Claims, and Relief Aid
• Arts Preparedness - Emergency Response Planning
• Arts in Health: Disaster Recovery

For Tribal Communities

Emergency Planning Toolkit for Tribal Cultural Institutions

National/Regional Resources

• Alliance for Response
• Heritage Emergency National Task Force
• National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Response (NCAPER)
• Northeast Document Conservation Center
• Performing Arts Readiness Project

For Researchers

University of Kentucky Libraries Open Access Arts Emergency Management Research Guide