Programs & Services

CERF+’s Survey of Gulf Coast Beneficiaries

In early 2007, CERF+ conducted a study of beneficiaries affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The goals of the study were the following:

Solicit information from Hurricane Katrina and Rita affected artists about their current status and issues impacting their recovery.
Establish a beneficiary knowledge base to which data from periodic follow-up surveys can be added.
Provide a pool of data from which CERF+ can evaluate trends regarding the effectiveness of its support efforts.

Eighteen months after America’s largest natural disaster 60% of CERF+ beneficiaries were at least halfway to recovering their businesses, but the remaining 40% were less than 25% of the way to recovery. Craft artists in the Gulf Coast region still face significant challenges to the recovery of their careers.

“This study underscores the fact that the recovery on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi is going to require our long-term commitment,” said CERF+ Executive Director, Cornelia Carey.

Executive Summary

Full Report