Four Steps to Prepare for Disasters in the Arts Community
By Elizabeth Snell
Disasters, both natural and human-made, are becoming a consistent reality across the US, and arts organizations are not immune.
Arts organizations are also uniquely positioned to lead preparedness efforts along with emergency management services because they are trusted community resources and social connectors. They know about important local heritage and culture.
The National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER), Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), dPlan ArtsReady, Air Collaborative, and many other state and local organizations have developed resources to support preparation and resiliency in the arts.
If your organization doesn’t have an emergency plan—or it’s so old it has been gathering dust—it can be hard to know where to begin. To avoid information overload, we’ve developed a short guide.
Here are four simple steps to help your arts organization get started.
Step 1: Know Your Local and State Emergency Services
Begin by connecting with your local emergency services. Building relationships now ensures your organization is on their radar when disaster strikes. Mutual awareness can align resources and make a collaborative response smoother.
Step 2: Know Your Risks
Research the specific disasters likely to impact your area. FEMA’s location-based tools, such as fema.gov/location, can provide insights into regional risks. This knowledge allows your organization to focus on the most relevant preparedness measures.
Step 3: Develop Your Emergency Readiness Plan
Every organization should maintain a “living” document that outlines how to respond to disasters. Your plan should include:
- What resources to protect.
- Communication protocols.
- Collaboration opportunities with local leaders or emergency responders.
This plan should evolve as new threats and solutions emerge. Share your emergency readiness plan with your local and state emergency services. Utilize tools for templates and frameworks to kickstart or refine your plan. See Essential Resources for Disaster Preparedness in the Arts.
Step 4: Share Your Plan
Disaster readiness isn’t just about having a plan—it’s about ensuring everyone involved knows it. Share it with staff, colleagues, emergency services, and key stakeholders. Make updates an annual practice.
Preparedness isn’t about preventing every loss; it’s about minimizing damage and recovering faster. These steps offer a starting point, but remember, preparedness is an ongoing effort.
Related:
- Read How the Arts Community Can Lead in Disaster Preparedness
- Read Essential Resources for Disaster Preparedness in the Arts