NCAPER's response information page is a vital lifeline for artists and arts organizations seeking disaster assistance. This comprehensive resource includes essential contact details for requesting help, assessment forms for carefully documenting damages, and a valuable directory of key contacts within FEMA and related agencies. Serving as a centralized hub, it becomes a crucial one-stop destination for obtaining necessary resources and guidance in times of emergency or disaster.

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Especially noteworthy is the fact that communication and information technology often become limited in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This can leave artists, cultural workers, and arts leaders displaced and struggling to support their colleagues and communities. In response to this challenge, NCAPER offers Response Calls/Zooms as a critical tool. These sessions provide a platform for affected individuals to connect, openly discuss their status and urgent needs, and engage in meaningful conversations with experienced NCAPER representatives who have faced similar situations. These knowledgeable representatives excel at identifying available resources and providing well-informed recommendations, making them invaluable assets for individuals and communities navigating the complex path of disaster recovery.

 

CURRENT DISASTERS
When FEMA makes a Major Disaster Declaration, it opens up federal assistance for those affected. This includes Individual Assistance for households, including simplified assistance for self-employed individuals such as self-employed artists and entrepreneurs to request funds for tools and equipment lost or damaged in the disaster LINK.  Find further guidance on accessing FEMA and related assistance, see “FEMA Assistance” below.

Kentucky
Kentucky regions recently experienced severe storms and flooding. FEMA has made a Major Disaster Declaration #4860 for multiple counties which makes federal assistance available to those affected.
​KHERN, the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network, and NCAPER will launch Response Facilitation Calls on Tuesday, March 4. These Zoom calls bring together those who were impacted and those who wish to help, to understand the current situation and offer resources and assistance. Email jnewcomb@ncaper.org to receive the schedule and Zoom login information.

West Virginia
West Virginia recently experienced severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. FEMA has made a Major Disaster Declaration #4861.

Los Angeles County
The January Los Angeles County straight-line winds and wildfires resulted in FEMA’s Major Disaster Declaration #4856. A number of new resources and funds have been created and can be found HERE. Reports on the impact of the disaster on the arts and culture sector are updated regularly and can be found HERE. Response Facilitation Calls are now being held biweekly as of February 18. Email jnewcomb@ncaper.org to receive the schedule and Zoom login information.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton (FL, GA, NC, SC and TN)
NCAPER Response Facilitation Calls for these events have ended. A number of resources are still available to artists and organizations impacted, including the Southern Arts Relief and Recovery Fund. You can find more information HERE.

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Resources for Artists

• NCAPER's two-page resource list

• NCAPER's Partner Resources

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FEMA Assistance
You should, as soon as you are able, determine if your location has received a
Presidential Disaster Declaration and, if so, register for public assistance. This federal
government site guides you to FEMA disaster assistance and other resources to help
you recover. Declarations are created and updated over time, so check this site for
updates.
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You and/or your organization may be eligible for FEMA assistance if you are in an area
designated under a presidentially declared disaster.

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Individual Assistance : Individuals and families should apply for Individual Assistance immediately. Artists and other self-employed individuals may now be eligible for Individual Assistance for equipment and tool replacement; connect HERE for more information. 

FEMA Public Assistance Guidance
Following a major disaster, federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA)
program is available to help cultural institutions and arts organizations recover. The PA
process may seem challenging for private nonprofits to navigate, especially if this is the
first time your organization has suffered damage following a major disaster. But it’s
important: don’t miss the chance to access funds that are meant specifically for
nonprofit arts and cultural organizations! Assistance may help with the cost of disaster-
related debris removal, emergency protective measures to protect life and property, and
permanent repair work to damaged or destroyed infrastructure, which can include the
repair or replacement of collections.

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This HENTF Public Assistance Webinar recording: “Navigating Public Assistance for the
Arts Culture Sector” on YouTube can help demystify the process and explain how you
can benefit from available federal funding to help your organization recover. This
webinar, presented by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) at the
request of the Vermont Arts Culture Disaster and Resilience Network (VACDaRN), will explain: The PA process as it applies specifically to the arts and culture sector and why
you need to apply for an SBA loan first. The assistance available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and why the word “loan” should not stop you in your tracks.
Measures that you may have taken or will take that may be eligible for reimbursement through Public Assistance.
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Also available: PDF of the webinar slides and expanded Question and Answer
document 

 

Because this webinar was directed to Vermont arts organizations and cultural
institutions, for an earlier disaster, the specific locations, dates, and contact
points are not relevant to current disasters. Here is an overview of the Public Assistance Program Delivery Process.

 

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Rapid Damage Assessment
Three online surveys – one for arts organizations, one for individual artists and
performing groups, and one for cultural institutions (libraries, archives, museums) – are
now available. Please complete the relevant survey so that the arts and culture
response community, with support from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force
(HENTF), can address the damage caused by the crisis you experienced by helping us
understand and share with FEMA where assistance is sought, the critical needs, and
inform how recovery efforts move forward. The survey should take approximately 10-12
minutes to complete.

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Arts Organizations: HERE
Artists and Performing Groups: HERE
Cultural Institutions: HERE

Please complete this NCAPER/HENTF survey just once. Please distribute it broadly to
others in the arts community. If you have completed a survey from another source, we
would appreciate you also submitting information to us.

If you are not able to complete the survey online, please email info@ncaper.org to
request a paper copy.

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Disaster and Policy Timeline
This timeline highlights significant and selected crises affecting the arts and how those have driven changes in arts funding and policy over the last 50 years. Link HERE

The Disaster Management Cycle
NCAPER works throughout the standard disaster management cycle, which has been developed by FEMA and other emergency management professionals. Link HERE

Resources One-Pager
Access 10 key arts/emergency resources via QR codes on this handy resource! Link HERE

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National Dislocated Worker Grant Information
This program provides funds to nonprofits and small businesses to hire workers to assist with recovery from the disaster. The objective is to employ those who have lost work or been dislocated due to the disaster while contributing to the physical and economic recovery of the area. Artists and arts/cultural nonprofits may be able to access this program to employ artists in recovery efforts. Download this NCAPER Briefing Paper.

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This resource can help demystify the process and explain how you can benefit from available federal funding to help your organization recover.​
 

​Fire Salvage Resources
Free webinars on Salvaging Fire-Damaged Items. Learn from conservation and preservation professionals from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation's National Heritage Responders program. By registering, you will be able to attend any of the live webinars in the series and view the recordings of each after the live event.

“Salvaging Smoke/Soot-Affected Materials: The Dirty Details” is a 13-minute video from the Smithsonian PRICE program, with a corresponding handout HERE 
FEMA After the Fire tip sheet

The Soot and Ash segment from the Field Guide to Emergency Response (7 minutes)

NCAPER’s free Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Response helps artists and arts organizations understand the various programs – FEMA, Small Business Administration, and more – you may be able to access. Available in English and Spanish.

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