Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) always seeks to connect the field to the resources. Please reach out to TCA staff if you or your organization sustained major impact from a natural disaster, accident, or emergency.
STATE ASSISTANCE
In addition to being a conduit for state and federal resources, TCA partners with other agencies to provide disaster relief grants to the arts and cultural industry during times of disaster. These grants are often dependent upon outside funding and are available on a disaster-by-disaster basis.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief was put together by the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) to help the arts industry navigate federal support systems.
- The Field Guide is designed to help arts organizations, businesses, artists, and cultural workers understand what is available and decide if pursuing federal aid makes sense for them.
- It gives a snapshot of federal disaster assistance programs that can go into effect after a presidentially declared disaster.
- The guide can also be found on the NCAPER website here.
- A Spanish language version will be published shortly.
FEMA General Guidelines for Applying for Aid:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Individual Assistance (i.e., artists): Generally 30 days after the presidential disaster declaration
- Public Assistance (i.e., organizations): Generally 60 days after the presidential disaster declaration
HELPFUL TIPS & RESOURCES
- Any impacted nonprofit hoping to receive federal emergency funding will be required to apply first to the Small Business Association for a loan.
- Texas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating the state response to this disaster and holds regular briefings.
Contact the cultural heritage emergency network TX-CERA (Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance) for assistance: tx.cera@gmail.com or 669.237.2243; OR - Call the National Heritage Responders hotline, 202.661.8068. NHR will connect with TX-CERA.
- Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit: Managing Transitions and Preserving Assets was put together by National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
- National Heritage Responders have developed brief Tip Sheets to help collecting institutions respond to and recover from events.
- Houston Arts Alliance has developed a collection of resources called Disaster Resilience for Artists & Non-Profits
- Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms
- After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures. This fact sheet is also available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Chinese, and Haitian Creole here.
