Emergency Response
Once you see yourself as part of a community, and that the recovering process is also on a community-wide basis... the easier it will be for you.
Russell Karkowski, Iowa City, Iowa furniture maker (studio flooded in 2009)Superstorm Sandy Emergency Response Information
As you know, the east coast is just beginning to take count of the devastation resulting from Superstorm Sandy. CERF+ along with its partners in the National Coalition of Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response are just beginning to connect with the artists and arts organizations in the affected areas but it will be a long time before we understand the full toll on the cultural community. We do know that overall the damage is severe and widespread, as news reports show.
We have set up this page as a quick reference guide to resources on this site, our Studio Protector web site, and other more regional and local resources. We are asking everyone to utilize our Facebook page to post information about yourself, other artists, resources, and offers of assistance. If you would like to support our efforts, please consider donating to CERF+.
CERF+ Resources for Artists Affected by Superstorm Sandy:
-
Emergency Relief for Craft Artists
- Grants and Loans - grants up to $3,000 and no interest loans up to $8,000 for craft artists who have had career-threatening emergencies
- Brokered Assistance - CERF+ works with manufacturers, suppliers, and show promoters to secure donations and discounts for artists
- Eligibility and Guidelines
- Applications
- Emergency Assistance Inquiry Form - If you have questions about CERF+ emergency relief, please complete this form and we will contact you.
- CERF+ Artists' Relief Exchange - a new online tool to connect artists' needs with offers of free assistance. If you have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and need things for your recovery, or if you have not been affected but have something to offer, please post them here!
- NYFA Source Listing of Sandy-specific Emergency Resources - New York Foundation on the Arts maintains an up-to-date listing of resources for all artists. In addition to their regular listing of emergency resources, they have added resources specific to this disaster.
-
Selected Links to Recovery Information on StudioProtector.org - useful information for artists who are coping with emergencies
- Disaster Relief - information on getting assistance from major relief providers, arts sector resources for assistance, and other related information
- Local assistance, if your area has this service, dialing 2-1-1 will put you in touch with a trained operator and a listing of local recovery resources
- Arts Sector Relief Resources including a comprehensive listings by NYFASource and the Actors Fund (click on your state).
- Clean-up - information on how to SAFELY get started with cleaning-up
- Salvage - information on preventing further damage and saving what you can
- First Aid for Your Art - Get started on salvaging damaged artworks. See other pages in the section for dealing with specific issues such as mold, and for resources for information and help.
- e-Salvage - information on salvaging data and electronic devices
- Post-Disaster Legal Issues - information on dealing with legal issues particular to disaster recovery
- Insurance Resources - a list of resources for insurance information including how to get in touch with your state insurance department and claims tips from United Policyholders
-
Selected links to Studio Protector Artist-to-Artist Videos - artists talking about how they navigated emergencies.
- We Had to Make Choices: New Hampshire furniture maker talks about making decisions about how to use precious time in salvaging items from a flood.
- Russell Karkowski talks about various aspects of his flood recovery including toxicity of flood waters, managing volunteer helpers, and coping with psychological stress
- Creating in the Midst of Disaster - stories about how artists have utilized their unique gifts and perspective to remain creative after disasters and setbacks.
-
Key Government Resources:
- US Government Sandy Resources
- State of New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Information Center
- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's site - resources for New York state residents-also links to a page of Storm Resources.
- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy Storm Sandy Response and Recovery page
- Rhode Island Department of Emergency Management
- Fact sheet:Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Self-employed Workers from the NY State Dept. of Labor
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Fact Sheets
- Community Service Society has good listings of Disaster Assistance Resources for NY residents
If you are going out to help others, please be sure you wear the proper safety equipment. Take some extra respirators and gloves for other volunteers who may not have them. Remember, a flood is a toxic substance!
Superstorm Sandy Widget
To place the Superstorm Sandy widget on your site paste this code into your site:
CERF+ Artists' Relief Exchange
A new online tool to connect artists' needs with offers of free assistance. If you have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and need things for your recovery, or if you have not been affected but have something to offer, please post them here!
Needed - Most Recent Posts
Paint brushes and Acrylic paints (ocean blue, turqouise and white)
The School by the Sea in Far Rockaway, NY is currently recovering from severe damages from Hurricane Sandy. Many of the students were with out power or heat for over two months and the school is still being run on a generator. The school is a block away from the beach and although the ocean created challenges, the students are resilient and ready to bounce back.
There is a 20 year old ocean mural in the audiotrium and was never finished. The walls have now been primed white and a brand new mural is ready for the kids to paint.
The objective of the ocean mural is to create a symbol of hope and resilience to the Rockaway community. The 6th and 7th grade art students are learning about realism to follow this lesson plan for the ocean themed mural. Ocean Lifeline is bringing in a world renowned guest muralist/artist to work with the kids on this project.
Here is a video of the talented kids and Art teacher: https://vimeo.com/60934057
Thank you so much for helping this mural turn into a dream project for the community and us all.
Giving - Most Recent Posts
I have beads, mostly earthy stone, let me know what kind you use and I will send a selection.
I have a lot of stone beads that are in the earthy range - jasper, amber. I have some to spare so give me an idea of what you use and I can send a selection.
Please post your disaster-related messages on our Facebook page and help us get the word out by sharing our posts with your Friends.
Twitter
