#emergencyresources

Program provides grants of up to $2,500 for women artists over the age of 40, administered in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts.

Anonymous Was A Woman (AWAW) has introduced an emergency relief grant program to support artists impacted by the COVID-19 crisis that will be administered by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). The program will distribute $250,000 in grants, up to $2,500 apiece, to artists who have experienced financial hardship from loss of income or opportunity as a direct result of the crisis. As with AWAW’s annual award, the program is open to women-identifying visual artists over the age of 40 in the United States and territories, and aims to address the unique challenges faced by artists in middle age or older, particularly at this critical time.

This emergency relief grant has no strings attached, and the recipient may use the funds however they see fit. While the annual AWAW award is nomination-only and chosen by a panel in recognition of artistic accomplishments and potential, artists may apply directly for the emergency relief grant, which is an award based solely on documented loss. The application is open from Monday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 8, with funds awarded to eligible applicants in the order in which applications are received. Please visit NYFA’s website for the application and detailed information on the Anonymous Was A Woman Emergency Relief Grant.

The $250,000 emergency relief grant program represents the equivalent of AWAW’s entire annual award, an unrestricted grant of $25,000 given to 10 artists each year. AWAW will present its 2020 award as previously planned in the fall.

While the AWAW award has historically been funded solely by founder Susan Unterberg, motivated donors may contribute funds to expand the AWAW Emergency Relief Grant via the AWAW website.  

“At this moment of unprecedented uncertainty, I am acutely aware that artists — many of whom are self-employed or rely on multiple sources of income — face significant challenges. In many cases, women over the age of 40 carry additional stress as caregivers for both children and parents. I am pleased to partner with NYFA to launch this program, and to expand the parameters of Anonymous Was A Woman’s philanthropic mission to respond to this difficult moment and provide immediate aid to fellow artists,” said Susan Unterberg, founder of Anonymous Was A Woman.

On the Anonymous Was A Woman Emergency Relief Grant, Michael L. Royce, Executive Director, NYFA said: “Susan is an inspiration as both an artist and a philanthropist. This fund will not only provide much-needed financial support for artists, but, just as importantly, it will be an incredible source of hope. NYFA is honored to be administering this fund on behalf of Anonymous Was A Woman.”

If you need resources, please check our Emergency Grants page on NYFA’s website. We are updating it regularly as new funding comes in. You can find more articles on arts career topics by visiting the Business of Art section of NYFA.org. Sign up for NYFA News and receive artist resources and upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Artists of all disciplines, find the support you need.

Have you or someone you know been impacted by the California Wildfires of 2017 and 2018? Artists can be especially vulnerable members of the economy, and, for that reason, many arts organizations offer ongoing or disaster-specific emergency assistance. Below, we’ve highlighted these programs in the hopes that each artist who has been affected will find the right support on their paths to recovery and resilience.

Want to help Californians impacted by these devastating wildfires? The New York Times suggests ways you can pitch in. 

Multiple Sources of Support

Additional information on Current Disaster Resources, Emergency Grants, Legal Resources, Public Assistance, and more can be found on NYFA Source, an online arts database with over 12,000 resources and opportunities for artists in all disciplines. Artists can also call the NYFA Source Hotline at (800) 232-2789, from Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST or email [email protected].

For displaced residents and emergency workers who are in need of free shelter, local Airbnb hosts are offering free housing until December 14, 2018. Additionally, you can find multiple open shelters through the Red Cross.

Government Assistance

For assistance with finances, housing, and more, visit the Wildfire Recovery portal from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES). For help with unemployment, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of services to individuals and businesses affected by disasters in the state. FEMA is also an essential source of information; the agency provides updates on which areas are officially declared disaster areas, which impacts the amount of federal assistance available for residents. Learn about the declared areas here.

Find information on filing a state claim for Unemployment Insurance (UI), as well as a federal claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in areas declared a disaster by the President of the United States. Assistance from representatives is available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. Finally, businesses and homeowners in eligible disaster areas can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Arts and Culture Specific Resources

See below for a variety of emergency grants and other services for artists of all disciplines.

Actors Fund of America Emergency Assistance: For all performing artists and those working in entertainment. Eligible individuals can apply online for assistance in English or in Spanish, and can also contact the Los Angeles office, at (323) 933-9244, ext. 455 or [email protected].

Alliance of Artists Communities Emergency Funds for Individual Artists: The fund disburses mini-grants of up to $1,000 to painters and sculptors who have already been accepted and scheduled for a residency, but who would not otherwise be able to participate due to a sudden change in circumstances. 

Artists’ Charitable Fund: Artists who need financial assistance because of medical, fire, or other disaster should email Fund Coordinator Judy Archibald at [email protected] or call (970) 577-0509.

Artists’ Fellowship, Inc. Financial Assistance: Provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or unexpected extreme hardship.

Authors League Fund: Provides assistance to professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune.

Book Industry Charitable Foundation Financial Assistance Program: Assists with specific unforeseen emergency financial needs of a bookstore employee and their immediate family members living in the same household.

Carnegie Fund for Authors: Awards grants to published authors who are in need of emergency financial assistance.

CERF+ Emergency Financial Relief: Provides financial assistance for eligible artists who work in craft disciplines, and tips for safety and studio protection for artists of all disciplines. Application guidelines are available in Spanish. CERF+ has also gathered a wide range of resources to help artists recover after the Wildfires.

Dramatists Guild Fund (DGF) Emergency Grants: DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness. After submitting the Grant application form, additional information will need to be emailed or mailed to DGF for the application to be considered complete.

Hero Initiative Grants: Provides assistance for eligible comic book writers, pencilers, inkers, colorists, or letterers on a work-for-hire basis. 

Jazz Foundation of America Jazz Musicians’ Emergency Fund: Provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, and financial support for musicians who have made a living playing blues, jazz, and roots music. Eligible artists can call (212) 245-3999 to inquire about services.

Joan Mitchell Foundation Emergency Grant: Emergency support to artists working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and/or drawing after natural or manmade disasters. 

Motion Picture and Television Fund: Provides temporary emergency financial assistance to qualified industry members experiencing financial hardship due to illness, disability, unemployment, or other reasons.

MusiCares® Emergency Financial Assistance: This program is available to music people who have experienced an unavoidable emergency. Eligibility consists of documented employment in the music industry for at least five years or credited contribution to six commercially released recordings or videos. Contact the MusiCares West Region Office at 1- 800-687-4227.

Musicians Foundation Support: Gives grants for medical and allied living expenses in emergencies. All professional musicians, regardless of their genre or instrument, are eligible to apply. 

Pioneers Assistance Fund (PAF): Serves members of the motion picture entertainment industry (exhibition, distribution, and trade services) who are encountering an illness, injury, or life-changing event. All assistance is intended to provide support during a recovery or adjustment period and lay the foundation for a lifetime of ongoing success. 

Rhythm & Blues Foundation Financial Assistance: Provides financial and medical assistance to Rhythm & Blues artists of the 1940s through the 1970s, as well as a support system to help identify other sources of assistance. 

The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Grant: Provides interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. 

The Haven Foundation: Gives financial assistance to provide temporary support needed to safeguard and sustain the careers of established freelance artists, writers, and other members of the arts and art production communities who have suffered disabilities or experienced a career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster, or personal catastrophe. 

To find more resources and opportunities, use NYFA Source, a free searchable database of 12,000+ awards, residencies, and services.

- Mirielle Clifford, Program Officer, Online Resources, 

Artists and members of the creative community have raised $175,000 to help artists on Long Island’s East End.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has partnered with the Hamptons Arts Network (HAN), a consortium of 19 arts and cultural nonprofits located on the East End of Long Island, to launch a new artist relief effort to support visual artists, choreographers, musicians, and writers living and working in the region who are being adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort builds on the legacy of artists helping artists in the East End, and was galvanized by artists Clifford Ross and Eric Fischl, who took the lead role in fundraising and donating matching gifts to jump-start the initiative.

The resulting Hamptons Arts Network Artist Relief Fund will award unrestricted $1,000 grants to regional artists facing financial emergencies, including loss of wages and medical expenses due to the pandemic. To be eligible for a grant, artists must be living in New York State zip codes beginning with 119 and demonstrate dire financial circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. Applications are now available and will remain open until Wednesday, August 5 at 11:59 PM EDT (extended from July 22, 2020). Qualified recipients will be selected through a randomized lottery system, and additional award cycles will open as funding allows. 

Conceived by HAN and administered by NYFA, the fund has raised $175,000 to date thanks to philanthropic donations from a range of supporters from within the creative community, including Ross, Fischl, and Robert Longo; artist-endowed foundations Dedalus Foundation, William de Kooning Foundation, and Helen Frankenthaler Foundation; and gallerists Larry Gagosian and Per Skarstedt, among others. Click here to donate to the fund and expand its impact.

“The East End has long fostered artist communities that have congregated and flourished here since the late 19th century. As residents of this community, HAN leaders witnessed firsthand the devastating impact the pandemic is having on artists who live and work here. The perception of wealth was overshadowing the real need we saw in our neighborhoods for working artists, as the pandemic compounded food and job insecurity tied to seasonal incomes,” said Andrea Grover, Director of Guild Hall, who led efforts to launch the HAN Artist Relief Fund initiative. “Across the board, our institutions felt it was important for us to continue to be a point of connection for artists during this time of distress and to lead the charge in supporting our community.”

Added Clifford Ross and Eric Fischl, “What we are doing is an extension of a tradition on the East End that existed since the 19th century—a creative community that comes together and supports each other, especially in times of need. Today, the arts scene is a vibrant element of the culture and economy in the region. We immediately saw the impact that the pandemic was having, and it was self-evident that we had to do something to catalyze support for those in the creative world who are in need. We’re all in this together."

Michael L. Royce, Executive Director, NYFA, highlighted the ongoing need for emergency funding as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and noted: “Emergency grant programs like the HAN Artist Relief Fund are critical to artists, as much of their work has been cancelled or put on an indefinite hold due to the pandemic. We are grateful to the Hamptons Arts Network for establishing this fund in recognition of the need for continued support of artists and creatives, and are proud to administer the fund on their behalf.”

If you need resources, please check our Emergency Grants page on NYFA’s website. We are updating it regularly as new funding comes in. You can find more articles on arts career topics by visiting the Business of Art section of NYFA.org. Sign up for NYFA News and receive artist resources and upcoming events straight to your inbox.

The Sendak Foundation has seeded a program that will provide one-time grants of up to $2,500 to children’s picture book artists and writers.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has partnered with The Maurice Sendak Foundation (MSF), which has seeded a new emergency relief grant program for children’s picture book artists and writers who have experienced financial hardship from loss of income as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. 

The Maurice Sendak Emergency Relief Fund, administered by NYFA, will distribute unrestricted grants of up to $2,500 apiece until the total amount of the fund has been distributed. MSF has granted $100,000 to NYFA to begin the program. The initial goal for the fund is $250,000 with hopes that it will expand. Those interested in donating to the fund may do so here.

The application will open on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 PM EDT, and will close once 600 applications are received. The program is open to children’s picture book artists and writers over the age of 21 who live in the United States and territories. Applicants must show that they have published at least one picture book in the last five years (2015-2020), or that they currently have a book under contract. A full list of eligibility and application requirements can be viewed here, and please click here to apply via Submittable.

MSF is a not-for-profit charitable organization that is devoted to promoting greater public interest in and understanding of the literary, visual, and performing arts. The Foundation supports the artistic legacy of Maurice Sendak and nurtures emerging as well as established artists in the fields of children’s literature and theater design.

"The Maurice Sendak Foundation is delighted to partner with NYFA by seeding The Maurice Sendak Emergency Relief Fund. As picture book makers (writers and illustrators) so generously offer up their works online to the public for free, we feel it's important to recognize not only their selfless gesture but their needs in these unprecedented times," said Lynn Caponera, President of The Maurice Sendak Foundation. "We hope the publishing community and individuals in the field will join in, donate and support the fund.”

On The Maurice Sendak Emergency Relief Grant, Michael L. Royce, Executive Director of NYFA, said: “We are proud to administer this emergency relief fund, which is so generously supported by The Maurice Sendak Foundation. It honors Sendak’s legacy by helping writers and artists to regain their financial footing in this incredibly challenging time, and in turn, continue his tradition of educating and delighting children.”

If you need resources, please check our Emergency Grants page on NYFA’s website. We are updating it regularly as new funding comes in. You can find more articles on arts career topics by visiting the Business of Art section of NYFA.org. Sign up for NYFA News and receive artist resources and upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Musicians Alexa Tarantino and Steven Feifke are livestreaming their music from their living room and raising funds for artists while doing it.

In this time of great uncertainty, artists of all disciplines are connecting with audiences in digital spaces like never before. Visual artists are giving virtual tours of their gallery shows and more are turning to selling work online (tips on how to do so via artnet News). Authors are reading chapters or poems from their books to online audiences; this example from The New York Times tells how children’s book authors Mo Willems, Gene Luen Yang, Amie Kaufman, and others are giving interactive presentations to kids who are now learning from home. Last week, Jessica Chen, founder and artistic director of J Chen Project, led 20-30 minute movement sessions via Zoom. The sessions opened up a new way of connecting and moving with others, and were designed for movers and non-movers alike. 

Musicians, like jazz saxophonist Alexa Tarantino and pianist and composer Steven Feifke, have taken matters into their own hands by livestreaming shows from their living room. Tarantino and Feifke have held two concerts so far with two more upcoming on Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5, with 25% of all proceeds going to NYFA. We spoke with Tarantino and Feifke to learn more about how they got started, and why these concerts matter now.

Click here for a link to all past and future concerts. All concerts take place at 8:00 PM EST.

NYFA: Can you tell us more about what inspired your first concert on Sunday, March 15, and why you chose to donate 25% of the proceeds to NYFA?

Alexa Tarantino: When all of this discussion of quarantine and lockdown started, we heard that some larger organizations in Europe were using livestream as a way to continue presenting their programs without bringing large groups of people together. After I returned from a tour, we self-quarantined for safety reasons. In an effort to still play and perform for people as much as possible, we decided to put on a livestreamed duo concert from our apartment. We knew about New York Foundation for the Arts because of various opportunities and grants that the organization offers for artists and wanted to help others in our situation.

Steven Feifke: As soon as the outbreak of COV-ID 19 started to go from bad to worse in the U.S. and many of my performance-based engagements were cancelled, I thought to myself that there had to be a way to continue to perform and reach people. Alexa and I talked about it and agreed that as a part of our series, we wanted to have a way to give back to the community and support other artists whose livelihood has been affected by the COV-ID 19 outbreak. We knew that any donations we made to NYFA would get to the people who needed it most.

NYFA: Can you speak to the losses that you and those in your community are currently experiencing as a result of COVID-19 (in terms of gigs, income, recording sessions, etc)? 

AT: COVID-19 has definitely turned my work schedule upside down. All but a few of my events (domestic and international) through May have been cancelled. Some will be rescheduled at a later time, but many won’t. This is a large loss of income and also presents a challenge for bookings later in the spring and early summer, because we don’t know where things will go from here. However, this down time has been an opportunity to rest and recharge, and work on new music and projects. There is a silver lining!

SF: My professional career is mainly based around composing, arranging, and orchestrating. Although I have had several exciting performances and recordings get cancelled as a result of the outbreak of the virus, the majority of my work has not changed. I count myself lucky that I am still able to write music for upcoming albums and recording sessions, as well as teach masterclasses and private lessons out of my home studio. In fact, I am about to produce a project for Splice, and will be able to hire several musicians to record out of their home studios. 

NYFA: How easy or difficult is it logistically to put on these concerts? Would you recommend the platform you used and do you know of others (beyond Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) that musicians and performers might be using?

AT: Presenting these concerts has been seamless thanks to Crowdcast. My assistant Maura discovered it and we will certainly be using it in the future! This is a platform that we decided to pay for, but we have loved the user experience so far. Concert attendees can “save their spot” for the event so we have an idea of how many will be viewing, and the program also sends a reminder email to the attendees, has a great chat/Q&A feature, donation feature, and more. We would recommend this but also have seen people present great programs on social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

SF: Crowdcast also archives each of our performances, so viewers are able to watch past concerts at their leisure. 

NYFA: You mentioned it was your first time livestreaming a show. What was it like for you as performers, and can you describe how the experience differed from other live performances you've done?

AT: Yes this was our first time live-streaming and it was very interesting! While we can't see or hear the audience, we could definitely feel their presence through their comments and "virtual applause." Since we are performing from the comfort of our home, it does feel a little more free and like we can take our time with the presentation. There's certainly less stress since there's no soundcheck, stage lighting, equipment, contract, pack-up process, etc!

SF: Well—this was the first concert I have ever given while wearing slippers! All joking aside, there was a certain amount of comfort that I derived from playing on the piano I practice with, but I definitely missed the excitement of feeling a direct audience interaction. Our audience members did the next best thing and sent us "applause emojis" after every song, which was really nice.

NYFA: Do you think that presentations like these provide some element of comfort during such challenging times? What are your thoughts on the potential in this sort of presentation for reaching new audiences? 

AT: Yes, we received great feedback from people who appreciated being able to listen to our music in their living rooms or during dinner. While it’s not the same as a live performance, I think it makes people feel less alone and reminds them of the beauty and purpose of art. We know that this idea of livestreaming performances has already spread across the world. We hope this encourages people to seek out other livestream events and we hope to be able to reach as many people as possible with our music.

SF: Personally, I am comforted by the fact that Alexa and I still have an outlet with which we can share our music and perform. I think that our friends, family, fans, and people we have become connected with through our performance careers are also glad to be able to tune in and hear us perform in this new setting. It's not the same as an in-person concert, but everyone is doing their best to adapt to life under quarantine, and I think that this sort of presentation of the music brings us all closer together. We are going to continue this series next Sunday, March 29 by celebrating Charlie Parker's centennial, and the following Sunday, April 5 with a concert featuring the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. We hope that with each concert, we are able to reach new audiences—and hopefully see everyone at a live in-person concert soon!

-Amy Aronoff, Senior Communications Officer

If you need resources, please check our Emergency Grants page on NYFA’s website. We are updating it regularly as new funding comes in. You can find more articles on arts career topics by visiting the Business of Art section of NYFA.org. Sign up for NYFA News and receive artist resources and upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Artistas afectados por los terremotos de Puerto Rico, encuentren apoyo y una comunidad de ayuda.

Click here to read this post in English.

Recuperarse de un desastre nunca es fácil, pero no tiene (y no debería) ser un proceso solitario. Varias organizaciones pueden ayudarlo, ya sea a través del acceso a la información correcta sobre cómo solicitar asistencia federal o mediante subvenciones de emergencia y donaciones. Si usted se encuentra en Puerto Rico, conoce a alguien en la isla o está dispuesto a ofrecer una mano amiga, eche un vistazo a los recursos disponibles en el resumen a continuación.

Encuentre ayuda atreves de NYFA.

NYFA.org ofrece información relevante sobre los actuales recursos por desastre, subvenciones de emergencia, recursos legales, asistencia pública y más. También puede buscar más subvenciones y recursos utilizando NYFA Source, una base de datos en línea sobre arte con más de 12,000 recursos y oportunidades para artistas en todas las disciplinas. Si el acceso a Internet es un problema o si se siente más cómodo hablando por teléfono, puede llamar directamente a la línea de la fuente de NYFA al (800) 232-2789, de lunes a viernes, de 3:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. EST. Las consultas también pueden enviarse por correo electrónico a: [email protected]. Tenga en cuenta que la asistencia por teléfono será en inglés, pero se pueden acomodar si es necesario los correos electrónicos en español.

Si es posible, esté atento a las redes sociales.

La información suele ser escasa en las primeras etapas de la recuperación. Seguir las fuentes apropiadas de las redes sociales es una de las mejores maneras de recibir actualizaciones inmediatas de organizaciones, medios locales y agencias federales. Aquí hay algunos feeds relevantes de Twitter:

Hispanic Federation

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture / Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico

Cámara de Representantes PR

Red Sísmica de Puerto Rico

Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica

Departamento de Estado de Puerto Rico

Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico

Negociado de Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres

Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico

FEMA Region 2

Busque asistencia federal.

Las personas que se encuentran en los municipios de Adjuntas, Cabo Rojo, Corozal, Guánica, Guayanilla, Jayuya, Lajas, Lares, Maricao, Penuelas, Ponce, San Germán, San Sebastián, Utuado, Villalba y Yauco pueden solicitar asistencia individual a través de FEMA. Las solicitudes de asistencia federal también están disponibles en español.

Para obtener más información, llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA, de 7:00 a.m. a 11:00 p.m. EST, los siete días de la semana al 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) o TTY 1-800-462- 7585. 

Para obtener más información, incluyendo qué hacer al volver a casa, evitar fraudes de caridad y rumores falsos, y más, consulte USA.gov.

No descuides tu salud mental.

Sentirse ansioso y estresado después de un desastre natural no es un signo de debilidad. Si se siente abrumado y no puede buscar asistencia médica inmediata, llame a la línea PAS al 1-800-981-0023 o a la Línea Nacional de Desastres al 1-800-985-5990 y presione "2" para conectarse con un consejero bilingüe. La ayuda en ambas líneas está disponible 24/7.

Como ayudar.

Antes de hacer una donación o ser voluntario, lea estas Pautas sobre Donaciones del Centro de Información Internacional para Desastres (CIDI). Páginas como Charity Navigator también son un buen lugar para investigar organizaciones benéficas acreditadas, desde bancos de alimentos hasta cuidado de animales. Colorlines y Bustle también han publicado un resumen de organizaciones que aceptan donaciones y otros tipos de apoyo. Hyperallergic enumera varias organizaciones artísticas en la isla que están recolectando y distribuyendo donaciones y abriendo sus puertas a la comunidad a través de la terapia de arte y otros eventos. Si eres un artista que desea ofrecer talleres al público afectado, complete este formulario de El Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico.

Si tiene alguna otra información relevante o recursos para agregar, envía un correo electrónico a [email protected]. Actualizaremos esta publicación tan pronto como haya más información disponible. Para obtener más información sobre la preparación para emergencias, consulte nuestro "Business of Art | Proteja su trabajo de los desastres naturales” blog.

- Translated by Alicia Ehni, Program Officer

Artists impacted by the Puerto Rico Earthquakes, find the support and community you need.

Para leer este articulo en Español presione aquí.

Recovering from a disaster is never easy, but it does not (and should not) have to be a lonely process. Several organizations out there can help you either through access to the right information on how to request federal assistance or via emergency grants and donations in kind. Whether you're in Puerto Rico yourself, knows someone on the island, or are willing to offer a helping hand, take a look at the resources at your disposal in the round-up below.

Find help through NYFA. 

NYFA.org offers relevant information about Current Disaster Resources, Emergency Grants, Legal Resources, Public Assistance, and more. You can also search for more grants and resources using NYFA Source, an online arts database with over 12,000 resources and opportunities for artists in all disciplines. If access to the internet is an issue or if you feel more comfortable speaking over the phone, you can call the NYFA Source Hotline at (800) 232-2789, from Monday - Friday, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST. Inquiries may also be submitted via email to [email protected]. Please note that assistance over the phone will be in English, but emails in Spanish can be accommodated if needed. 

If possible, keep an eye on social media.

Information is usually scarce in the early stages of recovery. Following the appropriate social media feeds is one of the best ways to receive immediate updates from organizations, local news outlets, and federal agencies. Here are a few relevant Twitter feeds: 

Hispanic Federation

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture / Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico

Cámara de Representantes PR

Red Sísmica de Puerto Rico

Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica

Departamento de Estado de Puerto Rico 

Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico

Negociado de Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres

Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico

FEMA Region 2

Seek federal assistance.

Individuals in the municipalities of Adjuntas, Cabo Rojo, Corozal, Guanica, Guayanilla, Jayuya, Lajas, Lares, Maricao, Penuelas, Ponce, San German, San Sebastian, Utuado, Villalba, and Yauco may apply for individual assistance through FEMA. Applications for federal assistance are also available in Spanish.

For more information, please call the FEMA Helpline, 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM EST, seven days a week at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. 

For other information, including what to do when returning home, avoiding charity fraud and false rumors, and more, check USA.gov. 

Don’t neglect your mental health.

Feeling anxious and stressed after a natural disaster is not a sign of weakness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and is unable to seek immediate medical assistance, please call the PAS line at 1-800-981-0023 or the National Disaster Line at 1-800-985-5990 and press "2" to be connected to a bilingual counselor. Help on both lines is available 24/7. 

How to help. 

Before making a donation or volunteering, please read these Guidelines for Giving from the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI). Pages like Charity Navigator are also a good place to research reputable charities, from food banks to animal care. Colorlines and Bustle have also published a round-up of organizations accepting donations and other kinds of support. Hyperallergic lists several arts organizations on the island that are collecting and distributing donations and opening their doors to the community via art therapy and other events. If you are an artist wishing to offer workshops to the impacted public, please complete this form from El Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico.

If you have any other relevant information or resources to add, please email [email protected]. We’ll update this post as soon as more information is available. To learn more about emergency preparedness, check our “Business of Art | Protect Your Work from Natural Disasters” blog post.

- Luiza Teixeira-Vesey, Designer/Marketing Officer

A disaster plan is essential for a safe and sustainable creative practice.

At New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), we strive to empower artists to apply business principles to their creative careers with the goal of supporting their work and growing resources for their projects over the long haul. As winter weather impacts several areas in the country, and natural disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes, remain a threat for many communities, businesses are updating their disaster plans, and we believe strongly that artists should, too. A disaster plan is essential for any artist looking to build and maintain a safe and sustainable creative practice.

This post is part of an ongoing series on how artists can both prepare for and recover from emergencies of all kinds. We recently wrote about how to protect your work from flooding. While the focus of this post is natural disasters, we’ll introduce general principles that can be applied to other types of emergencies. Please check our blog for future posts and visit the many resources included at the bottom of this article.

Best practices for creating an artist-centered disaster plan include the following: (1) know your risks, (2) document your work and safeguard your records, and (3) get appropriately insured.

Know Your Risks

Learn the weather-related risks to the geographic region in which you live and/or work, have an evacuation plan and/or safe space for yourself and others, and sign up to receive emergency alerts and notifications with your township or county. FEMA has an interactive map to identify flood zones, this resource from the EPA shows historical hurricane tracks and strike frequency, and you can also contact your local authorities to understand potential hazards and resources that are in place.

Once you are aware of the weather-related risks to the region, check your building, your materials, and storage spaces for possible problem areas. The CERF+ Studio Safety Guide is an excellent resource to understand the risks associated with your surroundings, and can be adapted for non-visual artists. If you work in an area that is prone to snowstorms or extreme cold, make sure your space is properly insulated and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. For artists working in areas with a moderate-to-high risk of earthquakes, store your work, along with heavy or breakable items, on low shelves and use anchors to secure bookcases and other storage to the walls. If you are worried about hurricane damage, install permanent storm shutters if possible, and declutter drains and gutters.

Document Your Work and Safeguard Your Records

Depending on the potential risks associated with your workspace and/or geographic location, you’ll want to store your most important records and/or work appropriately: not in a basement or directly on the floor, in waterproof containers when possible and away from light, and maintain a digital documentation of them. Visual artists should get in the habit of taking photographs of completed work. Performance artists and/or writers should maintain electronic copies of work, not just on a hard drive, but also in a removable flash or external hard drive in a fireproof and waterproof box. We also suggest potentially using a cloud-based service like Google Drive for extra security. Make regular back-ups.

As part of your digital inventory of work, all artists should scan and save important documents directly related to your creative practice, such as original drafts of writing with marginalia or promotional materials for shows, as well as documents related to the business side of your practice, including receipts, grant award letters, and/or other tax and legal information. An inventory is important both for your artistic legacy as well as it is often necessary when applying for post-disaster emergency funding or when submitting an insurance claim.

If you don’t have a scanner, you can download a free scanner app on your phone, such as Adobe Scan, which enables you to take photos and turn them into PDFs. Dance/USA and CERF+ both offer template artist inventories that you can download for free.

Get Appropriately Insured

Most homeowners or renters insurance does not cover losses related to your creative practice even if you work from home because these items are considered “business property.” You’ll need either an in-home business owner’s policy, a business rider to your existing insurance plan, or a separate business insurance policy. Your creative career is a business and while you’ll want to avoid unnecessary coverage, you do want to protect it and not take the risk of being uninsured.

Talk to your insurance agent and make sure that your insurance covers risks associated with your geographic location. Losses due to floods and earthquakes, for example, are not included in standard homeowners, renters, or business insurance and require additional policies. Be wary of exclusions, and don’t be shy about asking your insurance agent about them.

Additional Resources

There are several ways to approach disaster planning: you could set aside a full day over the weekend to review risks to your workspace, repair problem areas, document your work, and get insurance. Alternatively, you could check off one step at a time over several weeks. Below are additional resources to aid you in your planning. As a general rule, disaster planning usually requires an initial time commitment when starting from scratch, but once you have the structures in place and abide by them, you can focus on making art and building your creative career.

Ready.gov Disaster Plan site with disaster-specific information for before, during, and after an emergency

FEMA Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables checklist

CERF+ Studio Protector portal and Insurance Hub

Dance/USA Artist’s Legacy Toolkit

Joan Mitchell Foundation’s Archive Planning Workbook for Visual Artists

NYFA.org Emergency Resources section

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works: Wiki for Preservation of Time-Based and Electronic Media

Preparedness resources for a variety of emergencies compiled by the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER) 

- Maria Villafranca, NYFA Consultant and NYFA Coach

Image: Teressa Valla; Embrace the Reality; 2012; collage, twig sandpaper, and watercolor

Visit NYFA’s full list of emergency resources and visit NYFA Source, a free directory of over 12,000 opportunities, grants, and services for individual artists nationwide. This post is the second in a series of articles, Protect Your Work, and will be supplemented with a How to Recover from an Emergency series.