Performing Arts Readiness

23/12/2025

As the Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project transitions at the end of 2025, this will be our final post on this feed. PAR’s work will continue as a flagship program of the National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER). To stay connected and receive ongoing updates and resources, please follow NCAPER here: https://www.facebook.com/ncaper

Thank you for being part of the PAR community and for your commitment to preparedness in the arts! https://www.ncaper.org/

A coalition formed in response to the significant losses artists and creative economies suffer.

23/12/2025

"Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual hit shelves—and the music business’ consciousness—in 2023. This year, the much-needed audiobook for the 600+ page book was released. Edited by award-winning psychotherapist and music industry health consultant Tamsin Embleton, who founded the nonprofit Music Industry Therapist Collective in 2018, the longtime music professional contributed the introduction and seven of the book’s 30 chapters. She brought in specialist mental health experts for the others from her extensive network cultivated over years of working as a talent booker, promoter, tour manager, and manager, and of course, therapist."

Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual hit shelves—and the music business’ consciousness—in 2023. This year, the much-needed audiobook for t

22/12/2025

As the Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project enters a new chapter, we want to share an important update and say thank you.

On December 31, 2025, PAR will transition into a flagship program of the National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER): https://www.ncaper.org

Since 2017, with support from the Mellon Foundation and a national network of partners, PAR has worked to strengthen emergency preparedness and disaster resilience for performing arts organizations across the United States. Together, this community delivered more than 300 free trainings, awarded grants to support emergency planning and regional networks, and developed widely used tools such as dPlan|ArtsReady, and peer created sample emergency plans.

What this means going forward: PAR tools and case studies will continue to be available through NCAPER, webinar recordings will remain accessible via the Lyrasis Learning Library (https://www.lyrasis.org), and dPlan|ArtsReady and the Pocket Response Resource will be maintained by the Northeast Document Conservation Center at https://www.dplan.org. Under NCAPER, this work will continue and expand to serve artists and organizations across disciplines, including visual arts, film and media, literary arts, libraries, archives, and museums.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, collaborators, and the many organizations and individuals who shared their time, expertise, and experiences. Thank you for being part of the PAR community and for your ongoing commitment to preparedness and resilience in the arts.

National Coalition For Arts' Preparedness - Assisting Artists and Organizations in the Aftermath of Disaster. Disaster Preparedness Training and Tools.

22/12/2025

NCAPER offers resources, guidance, and connections to help artists and cultural organizations navigate relief and recovery during disasters. As emergency funds, Disaster Case Management, and potential FEMA assistance come online across Washington State, NCAPER provides resources to help you understand options, protect your work, and plan next steps.

👉 Learn more and find support: NCAPER.org

22/12/2025

📣 If you are an artist or arts organization impacted by a disaster, help is available.

Immediate Salvage & Collections Help
• Salvage help for objects, paper, media & textiles: National Heritage Responders
📧 [email protected] | ☎️ 24/7: 202-661-8068
• Museums with damaged collections may qualify for FAIC assessment funding:
https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/collection-care/cap/cap-emergency
• FEMA’s Save Your Family Treasures guide for water, fire & smoke damage:
https://www.fema.gov/assistance/save-family-treasures

Direct Assistance for Artists
Support available from:
• Entertainment Community Fund – https://entertainmentcommunity.org/
• MusiCares – https://www.musicares.org/
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund – https://cerfplus.org/
• NYFA emergency resources – https://www.nyfa.org/online-resources/emergency-resources/

Local Support & Damage Reporting
• Contact City & County Emergency Management to report impacts and access resources
• Complete the Rapid Damage Assessment Form when able:
https://www.ncaper.org/rapidimpactassessment

Learning & Preparedness
• Create or update your Readiness Plan: www.artsready.org | www.performingartsreadiness.org
• Funders & service orgs: Essential Guidelines for Arts Responders:
https://www.ncaper.org/post/essential-guidelines-for-arts-responders-organizing-in-the-aftermath-of-disaster

ID: Red background with dark blue raindrops. Emergency Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations.

22/12/2025

ATTN: Craft Artists! CERF+ shares opportunities relevant to craft artists to support their artistic practices. This week's artist opportunities include:

Bobby Anspach Studios Foundation Grants - $50,000 and $8,000 - Apply by 12/30
Anderson Center Early Career Artist Residency Program for early-career artists in Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City - Apply by 1/13.
​UCROSS Fellowship for Native American Artists. Apply by 1/15.
VCCA Fully Funded Fellowships - Apply by January 15.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Residencies - Apply by 2/1
Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists $10,000 - Apply by March 1.
South Arts Artist Creative Practice Grants - rolling deadline.
Appalachian Community Capital Western North Carolina Grant for businesses in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene

Click on our link to learn more about these and other artist opportunities.

https://linktr.ee/cerfplus

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18/12/2025

A recording of the "Community Recovery Through Arts and Culture (10.23.25)" webinar is available from PAR: Arts and culture, through the artists and organizations that bring them to life in communities, have a vital role to play in recovery from disasters. Whether by connecting people through music, dance, theater, or other shared experiences; providing moments of respite, joy, and humor; enabling individuals to tell their personal disaster stories through visual, verbal, or other means; or simply offering a place to gather, exchange information, or share a cup of coffee, arts and culture help communities move from victimhood to personhood, even if only for a moment. In doing so, they contribute to rebuilding the social infrastructure of individual and community life.

In this recorded webinar, we explored how artists and arts organizations can engage meaningfully in this work. The session provided an overview of basic disaster management principles, shared good practices, offered guiding principles and practical how-tos, highlighted resources for further study, and addressed participant questions. Rebuilding social infrastructure strengthens a community’s ability to move forward after disasters. This recording offers insight into how arts and culture practitioners can be part of that process and secure a seat at the table in their community’s recovery.

16/12/2025

While families fill theaters for holiday concerts and couples stroll through festive art walks, something powerful is happening in communities across America.

The ripple effect is real:
→ 30% of arts attendees travel from other counties
→ Visitors spend $60.57 on average in the community
→ 77% came specifically for the arts event

That holiday concert at your local theater isn’t just entertainment—it’s economic development in action. Every show creates bustling restaurants, busy retail shops, and the kind of vibrant downtown energy that makes towns worth the drive.

Think every Christmas movie’s perfect small town - that’s the arts at work.

What events are lighting up your community this season?

With sustained federal arts funding under threat, these community heartbeats need our support now more than ever. Add your voice to our growing chorus and share what the arts mean to you.

🔗 https://bit.ly/48EpriT

12/12/2025

🚨 FY 27 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available! 🚨

Application deadlines are February 12, 2026, and July 9, 2026 for projects taking place beginning in 2027. Learn more: https://bit.ly/44oYwGG

12/12/2025

December Preparedness Tip: Protect your Legacy

Draft or revisit a legacy or estate plan and maintain organized documentation to protect your creative legacy. Learn more by visiting CERF+'s free online Studio Protector.

https://cerfplus.org/resources/

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12/12/2025

A recording of the "When to Cancel or Stop an Event (12/9/25)" webinar is available from PAR: "This webinar provides a practical framework for deciding when to pause, delay, or cancel performances in response to medical incidents, sudden severe weather, wildfire smoke or poor air quality, or nearby emergencies. The session clarifies decision authority among venue owners, renters or producers, artists, and public safety officials, and explains how to document this authority in rental agreements and permits, including clear thresholds and cancellation clauses. The webinar also covers coordination with the National Weather Service and local officials, along with special considerations for outdoor and remote or pop-up venues, such as retaining transportation for evacuation and meeting time-to-clear requirements. Short, interactive scenarios help participants apply the framework and leave with adaptable checklists."

11/12/2025

We are accepting applications through Tuesday, January 6 for the current cycle of our Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program.

It provides...

-Visual Artists
-Film/Video/Digital/Electronic Artists, and
-Choreographers
..residing in the U.S., District of Columbia, Tribal Nations, or U.S. Territories with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies experienced in the past six months.

Full details on the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation-supported program here: https://ow.ly/C7j350XGyeP