Disaster Relief and Recovery
Disaster Assistance for the Cultural Sector
The most important advice the arts council can offer in times of disaster: your experience is significant. Artists are small businesses and arts organizations are cultural assets, both critical to Kentucky’s economy and vibrancy. There are organizations and agencies ready and equipped to help you with your unique needs. Loss can be physical (damage to property, vehicles, tools, etc.) or loss of opportunities like canceled gigs, postponed shows, and lost wages. Even if your losses don’t seem as substantial as your neighbor’s or that of a previous disaster, please document them, report them, and apply for assistance.
Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network
Our partners at the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Resource Network (KHERN) offer a concise and extensive page of resources for artists and organizations in the commonwealth. They’re also available to help you navigate the agencies, their purposes, and their processes.
Resources for Artists
CERF+ – Emergency Relief Grants of $3,000 are available to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.
FEMA – FEMA’s Individual Assistance individual Assistance program was expanded to include quicker access to needed funds including simplifying assistance for self-employed individuals such as self-employed artists and entrepreneurs.
HENTF (Heritage Emergency National Task Force) – Fill out the Rapid Damage Assessment Forms hosted by the National Coalition of Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. Data from these forms is crucial in determining needs.
Conservation – Questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can be emailed to the National Heritage Responders at [email protected].
Resources for Organizations
NCAPER – Provides a step-by-step Field Guide for arts organizations that have experienced disaster.
FEMA – Public Assistance is currently available in Category B (emergency protective measures).
HENTF (Heritage Emergency National Task Force) – Fill out the relevant Rapid Damage Assessment Forms hosted by the National Coalition of Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. Data from these forms is crucial in determining needs.
Conservation – The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance. Cultural institutions, arts organizations, artists, and performing groups can call 202-661-8068.
Kentucky Arts in Disaster: An Impact Report
“This report is a collection of stories and data from Kentucky artists, craftspeople, artisans, arts managers, teaching artists, arts community leaders, arts board volunteers, arts funders, and governmental agency representatives — all affected by the compounding events of natural disasters in Kentucky in 2021 and 2022. Their experiences were collected between January 2023 through January 2024 and resulted in the findings and recommendations in this report.”