Press Room
CERF+news
Name Change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: April 29, 2010
Craft Emergency Relief Fund Becomes CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund+ Artists’ Emergency Resources)
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) has changed its name to CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund+ Artists’ Emergency Resources) to reflect the organization’s expanded and more proactive role in helping artists prepare for and respond to devastating emergencies such as natural disasters and fires.
As it has for the past 25 years, CERF+ will continue its core emergency relief programs that provide grants, loans and brokered assistance to craft artists suffering career-threatening emergencies. "CERF grew organically from the craft field, and it is still craft artists and enthusiasts who loyally support our emergency relief programs," said CERF+ Executive Director, Cornelia Carey. "Our efforts to create awareness and resources about emergency preparedness are relevant to artists working in any medium and, therefore, we are now able to serve more artists.”
Annually hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires and other disasters threaten the livelihoods of thousands of artists across the United States. “Time and again, we’ve seen artists suffer losses that could be prevented or impacts lessened," notes Cornelia Carey, "That’s why CERF+ is redoubling its emphasis on helping artists prepare before losses occur.”
To accomplish its preparedness agenda, CERF+ has joined forces with other arts organizations to form a national coalition aimed at improving the overall safety-net for artists in the U.S. In addition to spearheading this coalition, CERF++ has created the Studio Protector: The Artist’s Guide to Emergencies–a tangible expression of the "+" in CERF++’s new name. This artist-designed and artist-tested comprehensive guide and companion web site gives artists the tools artists need to safeguard their careers and lessen the impact of disasters.
The name change coincides with CERF+’s 25th anniversary, a year which is being marked at various events, reunions, arts conferences, and shows around the country. A new video about CERF+, produced by Carol Sauvion of Craft in America, traces the history of the organization, introduces some of the artists it has helped and provides a glimpse into the future of CERF+.
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