Artist Safe Storage Tips

In your studio or workshop, store documents in fireproof, waterproof, portable storage containers. 

• One large container for archival materials that you would like to keep but are not necessarily vital to the continuity of your career/business
• One smaller “quick grab” container that you can easily pick up and take with you in an emergency that contains all the career and business related documents you would need to restart your livelihood after a disaster.

Schedule a monthly inventory of the items you’re storing and determine their relevance. Keep your most up-to-date information in this “quick-grab recovery archive,” rotating items out as they become obsolete to your recovery strategy.

Keep the backups at a Safe Off-site Location (SOL)

A SOL is a place to store copies of your documents and records that is far enough away from your studio (50-100 miles) that it is unlikely to be affected by the same disaster. This might be with a family member, trusted friend, contracted service, or your “Disaster Buddy.”

A Disaster Buddy is a fellow artist or friend living in another region of the country or your state with whom you exchange lists of contacts and people to notify in case of an emergency. You and your Disaster Buddy may consider other mutual assistance arrangements, such as providing one another temporary access to studio space after a disaster.