Emergency Preparedness & Risk Planning
Protecting Your Work, Your Income, and Your Creative Practice
PRESENTED BY
Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director
In the chat:
What is one thing in your creative practice you would be devastated to lose?
WELCOME
A creative practice is more than artwork.
What Are We Protecting?
Disaster can be
A disaster/emergency is any event that disrupts your ability to create, earn, or live safely.
Disaster Isn't Always Dramatic
Common challenges after a disaster
What Artists Lose
Instead of disaster - Think events
Natural: wildfire; flood; hurricane
Operational: computer failure; theft; utility outage
Financial: loss of income; canceled contract; funding changes
Personal: illness; caregiving; injury
Community: civil unrest; public health; displacement
Risk Is More Than Natural Disaster
Readiness
What we do before something happens
Response
What we do in the hours and days afterward
Recovery
What we do in the weeks, months, and years that follow
Readiness, Response & Recovery
Recovery is a team effort
YOU
Family & Community
Insurance
Local Resources
State & Federal Resources
Arts-Sector Resources
The Disaster Response Network
Who Shows Up When Something Happens?
Resource | What They Do |
Family & Friends | Immediate support |
Insurance | Property recovery |
Local Government | Emergency services |
FEMA | Federal disaster assistance |
SBA | Disaster loans |
State Arts Agencies | Information and referrals |
Arts Service Organizations | Connection and support |
Craft Emergency Relief Fund | Emergency relief for eligible craft artists |
Artists often fall between traditional assistance systems.
The arts sector built networks to:
Why Arts Disaster Networks Exist
If you can't prove it existed,
recovery becomes harder.
Readiness Starts With Documentation
Walk through your work area/studio.
Photograph:
You can begin today.
The 15-Minute Inventory Challenge
Protect:
Back up regularly.
Your Digital Studio Matters Too
Ask:
Let's Talk About Insurance
Who would help you:
Preparedness is not a solo activity.
Build Your Emergency Team
Emergency Savings = Creative Flexibility
Start where you are.
Goal 1: $100
Goal 2: One week of expenses
Goal 3: One month of expenses
Build over time.
When Something Happens
Safety First
Protect people.
Take Photos
Before cleanup.
Organize Records
Create a folder immediately.
Pursue Resources
Insurance, FEMA, SBA, arts-sector support.
Document Before You Clean Up
Take photos.
Take video.
Make lists.
Save receipts.
Track conversations.
Document everything.
Recovery Is Not Linear
Recovery often includes:
Progress is rarely a straight line.
Caring for Ourselves and One Another
Recovery often includes:
Progress is rarely a straight line.
□ Photograph your work
□ Back up your files
□ Review your insurance
□ Create an emergency contact list
□ Start or add to a “rainy day” fund
Five Things To Do This Week
What is one action you will take in the next seven days?
One Thing You'll Do
If you’re watching the recording, jot something down for yourself
Preparedness is not about expecting disaster.
It is about protecting the life and work
you have spent years building.
Preparedness is an
Act of Care
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)
Performing Arts Readiness
State Arts Agencies
Local Arts Service Organizations
Emergency Management Agencies
Insurance Providers
Community, family and friends - near and far
Resources
THANK YOU!!
PRESENTED BY
Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director