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Is your arts org at a crossroad?

New toolkit available for handling transitions

Intro webinar coming Thursday, Sept. 23

Over the last year, many arts and cultural organizations have found themselves at a crossroads of some sort.

Recognizing that arts leaders don’t always have the tools and information to weigh their options and make decisions in a proactive and thorough way, NCAPER has published The Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit: Managing Transitions and Preserving Assets, a free, online resource. The toolkit compiles guidance and material from highly regarded sources from across the country into a clear, easy-to-navigate web-based resource, now available at https://www.ncaper.org/general-4. Jan Newcomb, executive director of NCAPER, the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response, said “The Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit was created to guide arts leaders through three significant transitions they are likely to face during their organization’s life: structural shifts; the loss of key staff/leadership; and recognizing that the artistic and physical assets they’ve created are worthy of protection and preservation.” Each of these ‘crossroads’ is addressed in a section of the toolkit: “The Performing Arts Readiness project continues to present a wide array of free webinars, including an introduction to The Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit on September 23,” said Tom Clareson, project director. “For arts leaders in all disciplines, these professional development opportunities present feasible and timely ways to ensure their organizations are more resilient, more prepared, and more sustainable.” Registration for the free webinar is now open. The Crossroads toolkit is written and developed by Mollie Quinlan-Hayes and published and produced by NCAPER with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts to South Arts, the administrative home of NCAPER, and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The toolkit joins NCAPER’s expanding library of resources. Recently, NCAPER published An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief, for Arts Organizations and Businesses, Artists and Cultural Workers. The field guide was created to help demystify federal disaster relief for the arts and culture sector by helping artists and arts organizations see what’s available, understand clearly what isn’t available, and decide if pursuing federal aid is a good use of time. The top programs of use to artists and arts organizations have been selected for inclusion.

About NCAPER

The National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response/NCAPER, a voluntary task force of national, regional, state and local arts organizations, public agencies, and foundations the Coalition helps ensure that artists, arts/cultural organizations, cultural funders, and arts businesses have the capacity and ability to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies affecting the arts and culture sector. https://www.ncaper.org/

About Performing Arts Readiness

The Performing Arts Readiness project was formed in the recognition that performing arts organizations are especially vulnerable to disasters and emergencies which can halt performances, sometimes indefinitely, and can put an organization out of business overnight. The project includes outreach and community engagement efforts; information resources; “Circuit Rider” mentoring programs; and grants for emergency networks and emergency preparedness plans. https://performingartsreadiness.org/  

Jason Rapp

SCAC statement on Hurricane Dorian

Storm to affect S.C.'s eastern half


Official Statement from S.C. Arts Commission Executive Director David Platts

Our state’s governor, Henry McMaster, has declared a state of emergency for South Carolina as Hurricane Dorian’s bands are spreading up our coast. Many of you might feel the effects of this storm. First and foremost, we care about your safety. Please heed warnings and act according to the response recommendations presented by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. Secondly, your artistic well-being also matters to us, and we stand ready to assist you should your livelihood become threatened by the effects of the storm. Our website has emergency preparedness resources for artists and arts organizations. We will continue to provide updated information as necessary. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you feel there are things with which we can be of assistance. Stay safe.

Resources for disaster preparedness and recovery

Being prepared for any type of emergency, whether it's a storm, a fire, or a manmade disaster, means having a plan BEFORE a crisis strikes. With an active hurricane season upon us, it's possible to be in preparedness mode and recovery mode at the same time. Use these preparedness and recovery resources to create a disaster plan that will help you or your organization function during an emergency and recover afterwards.  

CERF+ offers “Get Ready” grants for craft artists

In 2017, CERF+ will award “Get Ready” Grants of up to $500 to individual artists and up to $1,500 to groups of artists in two grant cycles. The “Get Ready” Grant Program encourages awareness of and provides funding for artists working in craft disciplines to conduct activities that will help safeguard their studios, protect their careers and implement other safety measures to help artists build and sustain strong and resilient careers. Application deadline is November 30. Find out more.

Grants available for visual artists impacted by natural or man-made disasters

The Joan Mitchell Foundation provides emergency support to U.S.-based visual artists working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and/or drawing, who have suffered significant losses after natural or man-made disasters that have affected their community. The Foundation provides cash grants of up to $6,000 with a quick turn around and simple application process. Artists who have been negatively impacted due to catastrophic situations of this nature, such as Hurricane Matthew, can apply to the Foundation for funding. Visit the Foundation's Emergency Grant Program web page for additional information and application instructions. Via: The Joan Mitchell Foundation

We want to hear about your flood damage

Dear Friends, As our state takes stock of damage from the flood, we want to hear from artists, arts organizations and arts program administrators. Do you have damage and need assistance, or are you okay? Please check in by completing this brief survey to let us know whether you, as an individual, or your arts organization or school, were impacted by the flood and the extent of flood damage. Even if you did not suffer flood damage, please complete the applicable parts of the survey to help us understand the full impact of the flood. As you work through the process of recovery, please take advantage of the resources available on our website and let us know if we can provide additional information. It has been a difficult time for our state, but gratifying to see how the arts community is stepping up to aid in the recovery. Please continue to be safe and look out for one another. Thank you, Ken May Executive Director S.C. Arts Commission

Resources for flood recovery

Our thoughts continue to be with everyone who has been affected by the monumental weather and flooding in our state, especially those in South Carolina's arts community. Our office is open, and we are confirming and expanding recovery resources, including how to get help from FEMA and other major relief providers. We've compiled a list of specific resources to help with flood recovery and will continue to update it as we gather more information.

CERF+ increases amount of emergency financial assistance for artists

On October 1, CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund) increased the amount of its emergency financial assistance grants and loans for eligible craft artists. CERF+’s Emergency Grants now provide up to $5,000 in immediate help to eligible craft artists after career-threatening emergencies. CERF+’s no-interest Emergency Recovery Loans now provide up to $8,500 to help craft artists re-establish, improve, or possibly expand the artist’s business after an emergency. CERF+ regards a career-threatening emergency as a recent, unforeseen or triggering event that has significantly and adversely affected your ability to produce your work. Financial distress that results from the normal uncertainties of doing business is not considered an emergency for CERF+ eligibility purposes. “Thanks to the fantastic response of our generous donors to The Campaign for CERF+’s Future, we are very pleased to be able to increase the amounts of both our grants and no-interest loans. These funds provide such critical support to artists recovering and rebuilding after disasters,” notes CERF+ Executive Director Cornelia Carey. More information about eligibility and how to apply can be found on the CERF+ website. The website also has numerous other resources for artists. Via: CERF+