Emergency Resources
NYFA’s Emergency Resources Directory is a centralized source of information for artists in the United States and its territories.
FOR ARTISTS Affected by 2024 WEATHER DISASTERs
You and/or your organization may be eligible for FEMA assistance if you are located in an area designated under a presidentially-declared disaster. You should, as soon as you are able, determine if your location has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration and, if so, register for public assistance. This federal government site guides you to FEMA disaster assistance and other resources to help you recover. Declarations are created and updated over time, so check this site for updates.
NEW: Individual artists may be eligible to receive FEMA Individual Assistance funding to replace lost or damaged tools and equipment, under new opportunities for self-employed individuals. Learn more here.
NEW: NYFA has extended the deadlines for its current Rauschenberg Medical and Dancer Emergency Grants for eligible artists impacted by Hurricane Helene. Learn more here.
NCAPER has published An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief, available free online (and by mail) in English and Spanish. 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.
Additional emergency resources for artists can be found at www.ncaper.org; in particular, if you are in an area affected by a widespread emergency, Response Information is available here.
Artists who’ve been affected may find assistance through a number of discipline-specific organizations, including the Entertainment Community Fund, MusiCares, and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund.
If you are able, please consider completing this survey so that the arts and culture response community, with support from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), can address the damage to ARTISTS caused by the crisis you experienced. The information gathered will help us identify where assistance is sought, provide assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and inform how recovery efforts move forward.
Artists who experience personal hardship or who are impacted by a large-scale disaster, or who need funding for a last-minute opportunity, can find critical resources in this NYFA Emergency Resources Directory.
CURRENT DISASTER RESOURCES
This page includes information about national and state-specific general emergency resources. We recommend Current Disaster Resources to find information after a major disaster or a severe personal hardship.
EMERGENCY GRANTS
Many arts service organizations across the United States and its territories offer emergency financial assistance to artists. Find Emergency Grants for which you may be eligible.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Artists seeking emergency financial relief and advice can utilize Financial Resources to work towards financial stability.
HEALTH AND INSURANCE RESOURCES
Many organizations recognize that artists and creative freelancers have unique needs for health coverage, and so these organizations offer services especially for artists. Find these services, as well as general health resources, in Health and Insurance Resources.
HOUSING RESOURCES
As with health and insurance, artists often face unique challenges around affordable housing and workspace. These artist-specific and general Housing Resources can help.
LEGAL RESOURCES
A creative person may find times when they will need to research legal matters or seek advice. In Legal Resources, find organizations that offer assistance and information.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Artists, like the general population, should feel able to avail themselves of the support network that consists of various government benefits and non-profits. Visit Public Assistance to learn what is available.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Artists can take a range of steps to lessen the impact of any disaster that may occur, and that can ensure a quick recovery. Learn about these best practices for artists and arts organizations in Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity, and in this September 2023 blog, Emergency Preparedness: A 4-Step Action Plan.
Image: Swoon (Fellow in Architecture/Environmental Structures/Design ’13)
