HOUSTON, Aug. 18, 2018 After three rounds of funding over $100,000 in disaster assistance to local artists and arts, heritage and cultural organizations impacted by Hurricane Harvey, the Harvey Arts Recovery Fund (HARF) has released an Arts & Culture Hurricane Preparedness Toolkit designed to bolster the arts community against future storms. The Toolkit features actionable advice for before, during and after a hurricane, as well as specific steps artists can take to protect themselves against loss of income or property. Throughout the process of advocacy, gathering donations and awarding grants to support the recovery needs of our Greater Houston creative community, we began to recognize the unique challenges artists face when a hurricane strikes, said Dwayne Jones, Executive Director of the Galveston Historical Foundation. The HARF Arts & Culture Disaster Hurricane Toolkit provides key information to prevent or reduce the burden of common issues reported by applicants to HARF funding opportunities, including loss of necessary tools or equipment, loss of opportunities to perform or show work, loss of prepared inventory and physical damage to a studio. Thats why the Toolkit covers important topics such as flood insurance, protecting assets, emergency resources, mid-storm safety procedures, evacuation routes and disaster relief options. Multiple organizations collaborated in the creation of HARF to sustain and aid the Houston arts and cultural sector during Hurricane Harvey. Members of the leadership team include Shannon Buggs, Chief Commons Director of CultureWorks Greater Houston, Marci Dallas, Executive Director for Fresh Arts, John Abodeely, CEO of the Houston Arts Alliance, Mollie Miller, Executive Director of Dance Source Houston, Deborah McNulty, Director of the Mayors Office of Cultural Affairs and Dwayne Jones, Executive Director of the Galveston Historical Foundation. Jones said, If were to reduce the level of devastation wrought on our artistic community during disasters like Hurricane Harvey, we have to equip artists and organizations with information they can use for a healthier recovery in the future. As our final project, this toolkit offers insight and a tangible resource to prepare them for problems unique to their experiences during a disaster. Three rounds of funding raised with the help of local nonprofits, donations through the online advocacy platform www.harveyartsrecovery.org and seed money from the Houston Endowment went out to creatives within a 10-county region including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers, Austin and San Jacinto. A resource guide is now available at harveyartsrecovery.org and the Arts & Culture Disaster Preparedness Toolkit can be downloaded by clicking here. ..... .... Login with Google and support us