CERF+ Responds to California Wildfires
Safety Information, Emergency Resources + Emergency Relief for Artists
As we continue to hear about the impact of the wildfires in California, CERF+ is reaching out to artists and arts organizations in affected communities to provide emergency relief and useful recovery resources.
Emergency Relief for Artists
Are You an Artist Working in a Craft Discipline?
CERF+’s emergency financial relief program, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, provides $3,000 grant and other assistance to artists working in craft disciplines who are facing a career threatening emergency. CERF+ staff is available during the week from 8:30am-5:00pm EST at 802.229.2306 and [email protected] to provide counseling and referrals to artists searching for emergency resources.
Other Emergency Relief Programs for Artists
- New York Foundation for the Arts’ (NYFA) National List of Emergency Grants for Artists in NYFA Source
- Vermont Studio Center: Residency Fellowships for Visual Artists Affected by Natural Disaster
- Additional resources will be added as arts organizations in the affected regions are able to respond
Disaster Recovery Resources for Artists
We hope you didn’t suffer personal or business property damage from the wildfires, but if you or an artist you know did, CERF+’s Studio Protector has tips to help make the recovery go more smoothly.
Relief Agencies
- Government + Volunteer Relief Agencies
- Tips for Working with FEMA + SBA
- Relief + Resources from Arts Organizations
- Emergency Management Agency Links for California Wildfires
- FEMA Disaster Declaration
- DisasterAssistance.gov
- Small Business Administration (SBA) – Disaster loans for individuals, businesses and nonprofits
- American Red Cross
- California Emergency Services – Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources
- Butte County Recovers – The official website for Camp Fire response and recovery
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance – For the self-employed as well as employees. Application deadline 12/14/18
Disaster Clean Up
Disaster Salvage
- Salvage Basics
- Books + Papers
- e-Salvage
- After the Fire – FEMA’s Heritage Emergency National Task Force’s advice for salvaging damaged family treasures.
Self Support
- Creating Again
- Emotional Help
- Emotional Help Resources
- California Crisis Counseling – Short-term counseling may be available for emotional or mental health problems caused by the impacts of the disaster. For more information, contact your county mental health department.
- Rebuilding Your Business
- Insurance Claim Resource: United Policyholders
- California Department of Insurance – Wildfire resources and insurance information. If you are experiencing difficulty with the processing of your claim or wish to have an underinsurance issue investigated, contact the officers at the CDI’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357(HELP).
Networking
- Crowdfunding
- Social Media
- Working with Volunteers
- Facebook’s Camp Fire Crisis Response Page
- Facebook’s Woolsey Fire Crisis Response Page
- Recovers.org’s Camp Fire Community Response Page
Be Aware
- Avoid Scams
- California Contractors State License Board (CSBL) – The CSLB verifies contractor licenses, investigates complaints, and provides helpful information about hiring a licensed contractor. For information on hiring or filing a complaint regarding a contractor, disaster victims may call CSLB’s Disaster Hotline M-F from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-800-962-1125, or the 24-hour automated telephone response system, 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). Licenses can also be checked online.
- Legal Issues
- Disaster Legal Aid Hotlines (American Bar Association in conjunction with FEMA and the State Bar of California)
- Butte County – 800-345-9491
- Ventura County – 877-301-4448
- Los Angeles County – 800-870-0732
- Other Disaster Legal Aid Services
- Legal services for individuals and families impacted by Northern California wildfires