Step-by-Step Disaster Recovery for Artists
A year after a derecho ripped through Iowa and destroyed much of so many communities, a nod and reminder for artists to get our sh&t in order before something unexpected and horrible happens.
In the midst of any kind of crisis, we don’t have the emotional bandwidth to wax poetic about why artists matter and why we need support. We’re literally trying to get through the next minute or hour without losing our minds. Here’s checklist of what to do when you don’t know where to start.
Nine Action Steps, Pronto:
Assess any damage and list your immediate needs. Are you injured or sick? Are you safe? Do you have enough food and water for the next few days?
Check in with friends and family, if possible. Folks are worrying about you.
Check in with your neighbors. Are they in danger? How can you help them?
Document all obvious damage with your phone, either by photo or video. Upload to cloud immediately.
Begin to tell your story publicly. Go live, share your photos and video. Akwi Nji, my friend and fellow artist living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was an integral part in calling attention to the derecho devastation in her community. Akwi encouraged community members to be public about their stories – to share them on whatever platforms possible in order to draw media and resources to Cedar Rapids. She created and shared a community hashtag across social media to facilitate this.
Ask for what you need, repeatedly. Be frank and specific.
If possible, create a channel of accessible financial support so that folks can help, such as Paypal or Venmo.
Call/write your landlord (if you rent) and your insurance representative (if you have one). Send your photographic documentation of damage to your dwelling/studio and damage to your personal property. Your landlord will be responsible for structural damage, and your insurance will handle damage to your personal property.
Are you uninsured? Check out this form for resources. Check with your local community foundation to see if you qualify for any grants. If your county has been declared a national state of emergency, you may qualify for FEMA assistance, whether or not you have insurance. (If you do have insurance, you will have to file a claim with your insurance agency before applying for FEMA benefits)
Resources for When You’re Rested
Building an art studio and practice in normal times is hard work. Rebuilding amidst catastrophe is beyond exhausting. Fortunately, there are many resources out there to help you.
Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit tech company that provides tools for artists, has a template for fundraising in difficult times. They’ve put language in place so you don’t have to.
Cerf+, a nonprofit supporting artists’ careers that I mentioned last week, offers emergency grants for craft artists and resources for artists of all disciplines for every step of your recovery.
The Small Business Association has resources and loans available for small businesses.
The Alliance of Artist Communities has massive list of resources.
Pen America has a thorough list of emergency support for writers.
The Gottlieb Foundation has one-time $5000-$15,000 emergency grants for painters, printmakers, and sculptors.
Stephen King created the Haven Foundation to support freelance, professional artists who have survived an accident or emergency situation.
The Artist Fellowship “financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability or bereavement.”
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts provides $500-$2000 emergency grants for individual artists of all disciplines.
Women Arts gives a good list of emergency support for musicians.
P.S. - The sixteenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is this month. My brother, sister-in-law, and I went to college in New Orleans. There’s a ton of Drinkwater love for that city. I missed Katrina by about three years. My brother and sister-in-law were sophomores at Loyola when the storm hit. By any measure, they were lucky – having safe places to go during and after the storm, having families with the means to replace most anything lost or destroyed, and living in uptown New Orleans. For those of you unfamiliar with NOLA, uptown is a predominantly white area of the city built on higher ground than many of the historically Black neighborhoods, such as the Lower Ninth Ward, that were decimated by the levee breach. Last year, both the Root and Earther released terrific articles and a video about how bounce music helped to advocate for and revive New Orleans’ Black communities after Katrina, in spite of decades of redlining and environmental racism. Art and culture are essential ingredients in community recovery, resilience, and healing.
P.P.S - Read about easy and effective ways you can support artists in disaster recovery. And check out disaster preparation resources for artists.
Jennifer Drinkwater, NBD, acrylic on wood panel, 16” x 20”, 2013.