Programs & Services
Programs & Services
A hurricane, a flood, a studio fire, or a health crisis; any of these can strike without warning and threaten the career of a craft artist. CERF responds to career-threatening emergencies with assistance focused on helping the artist get back to work as soon as possible.
Because emergency assistance alone is often not enough to ensure recovery of a business, CERF is committed to helping artists build more resilient businesses and to prepare for unexpected threats to their careers.
CERF Program and Services Overview
Emergency Relief & Recovery
CERF’s emergency relief programs provide assistance to help sustain a craft artist’s career when an emergency occurs. Emergency relief assistance includes:
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Financial Support
CERF provides grants and no-interest loans.
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Booth Fee Waivers at Participating Craft Shows
Show promoters offer qualifying applicants booth fee reductions or waivers for select shows.
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Discounts on and/or Donations of Craft Supplies & Equipment
CERF offers qualifying applicants discounts on and/or donations of craft-related supplies and equipment.
Emergency Readiness
CERF provides training, information, and resources to help craft artists prevent emergencies and to protect themselves and their businesses when emergencies occur.
Professional Development
While CERF’s primary focus is on emergency relief, recovery, and readiness services, CERF also works to advance craft artists’ careers.
Advocacy, Research & Policy
CERF promotes and advances issues related to emergency relief response, preparedness, and prevention for craft artists within the cultural, business, insurance, and human services sectors. Beyond its direct services to craft artists, CERF actively engages in documentation, analysis, and information dissemination about the status and needs of craft artists to public and private decision-makers at the state, regional, and national levels.