Community recovery in the aftermath of disasters—such as the major hurricanes, fires, and floods in August and September—is a crucial challenge, and the arts have a strong role to play. Americans for the Arts calls on local, state, and federal decisionmakers and government agencies—particularly FEMA and the Small Business Administration—to recognize the crucial role of arts and cultural organizations and workers, and to prioritize immediate and streamlined disaster relief assistance so that they may fulfill their role as healing nexus points for affected communities.

Arts projects created in reaction to the hardships of the Flint water crisis serve to assuage grief, raise political awareness, educate, and allow residents to try to resume normal life as much as possible.

On the 10th anniversary of one of our country's worst natural disasters, New Orleans makes room to process the events of Hurricane Katrina, celebrate what has been accomplished so far, and highlight the rebuilding that still needs to be done. 

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is one of many cultural institutions hosting a special interactive exhibit for visitors and city residents. The basement walls of the museum are covered with neatly printed cards of stories from survivors. 

The Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released data showing how Americans in different parts of the country have taken measures to prepare for natural disasters or other emergencies. Disaster preparedness questions were a new addition to the 2013 American Housing Survey, intended to assist policymakers and emergency responders with planning.

Americans for the Arts has announced the New Community Visions Initiative, part of the large-scale Transforming America’s Communities Through the Arts, a $10.5 million suite of programs set to generate national dialogue and engage key stakeholders over the next three years. The New Community Visions Initiative will explore the future of local arts in America and the role of community-based arts that enable organizations, funders, cultural institutions, and artists to shape healthier communities over time. 

"Forty-four disasters worldwide caused at least $1-billion in damage last year," said Bob Ottenhoff, Chief Executive of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. He was speaking at a recent conference about developing guidelines for effective disaster philanthropy. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is working with state regulators to develop guidelines for disaster philanthropy.

Last Wednesday, New York City officials showed their support of arts organizations by announcing a new initiative called "Culture Active In Disasters" (CultureAID).

The program will be a "response and recovery network to reduce redundant communications, pool available resources and share best practices about emergency preparedness."

In a new project by Family Service of Napa Valley called "Napa-Rocks," 9th grade students at the New Technology High School in Napa were given baskets with debris from the August 24 earthquake to create art from the rubble. “The goal is to preserve some historic buildings in Napa through art, and engage students in the healing process after the quake,” said Michele Farhat, Family Service’s Director of Development.

It's that time again: Americans for the Arts is seeking at least 200 partners to make this Arts and Economic Prosperity Study larger and more comprehensive than ever before--and we invite YOU to be a part of it!

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Sponsored by FEMA, National Preparedness Month works to "educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies."  Americans for the Arts offers several good resources available to you and your arts organization to help you prepare a plan and get you prepared.  Check out our resources section for a complete list!
 

On September 10th, New York City officials showed their support of arts organizations by announcing a new initiative called "Culture Active In Disasters" (CultureAID) . The program will be a "response and recovery network to reduce redundant communications, pool available resources and share best practices about emergency preparedness." Tom Finkelpearl, the New York Cultural Affairs Commissioner, and Joseph Esposito, the New York Office of Emergency Management Commissioner, jointly announced CultureAID.

In March 2014, the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) published its annual State of the Nonprofit Sector. Our VP of Research, Randy Cohen, breaks down the findings for us on ARTSBlog. 

Art is crucial to the economic well-being of a city, and Detroit is no exception – but where does the art bring in the most revenue? The Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) is considering selling its treasured paintings to help balance the bankrupt city’s ledgers. Columnist Nora Caplan-Bricker of the New Republic argues in favor of keeping the paintings in-museum, for both cultural and economic reasons.

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we continue to hear more news about the devastating tornado that passed through the town of Moore on the outskirts of Oklahoma City yesterday, we at Americans for the Arts send our thoughts and prayers to the artists, administrators, and all those affected.  When natural disasters strike, there is no way to fully comprehend or process the pain they inflict.