Disaster Relief Summary from the New York City Arts Coalition
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Disaster Relief Summary from the New York City Arts Coalition
The events of the past few days have left many in our City and surrounding areas with losses that are indescribable. There are personal losses, loved ones and friends, as well as the need to cope with the physical destruction. Words are always inadequate, but I hope some solace can be found for all who have suffered so much along with the courage to deal with what many now face.
After 9/11, the NYC Arts Coalition gathered data for the area impacted and organized a coordinated way of looking at the resources available to both arts groups and artists. There were some hard learned lessons, one of which is that there is almost too much information at first and no way to figure out what is worth one’s time and effort.
This memo is an effort to provide some structure to the options and choices people face at this time. It is by no means complete, and I’m sure that some will find options I have not seen over the past two days. Please circulate to anyone, including small galleries, self-employed artists (or anyone self employed) for whom you feel the information is valuable.
First, self-employed people are eligible for unemployment insurance in areas where are federal declaration of a disaster has been declared. If in any doubt, apply.
Second, federal disaster resources will be dependent on your (or your arts group/business) being registered at FEMA. Go to www.disasterassistance.gov. This includes money, so do not neglect this.NOTE: for performing arts groups, if you register and are later told you are not eligible,let me know ASAP. The federal legislation that controls eligibility had some limitations after 9/11, which the Chair of NYSCA, Richard Schwartz, was able to work with the Pataki administration to have lifted. I’m sure it can be done for this disaster if needed.NOTE: for individuals, you may want to also go to register at
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6245/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=6487.
This is the site of NYC Communities for Change and they are assisting with followup on FEMA, which might be helpful in speeding up the process. Consider this a back up, just in case. They have also offered to help with the process if you need it.
Third, take pictures and keep records of what you spend on anything.
Fourth, while a complete assessment of the losses in the community will be necessary, it will be most useful if done comprehensively citywide and I am hopeful that DCA will be able to undertake this for everyone once they are completely functioning in their temporary space.
The rest of this memo is divided into a section for arts groups and a section for individuals,although there are some overlaps. I will also continue to try to sort out the range of resources and provide a follow up email with additional information, especially with regard to financial resources.
Organizations: (There is no information as yet on emergency grants. Will continue to check.)
ArsReady.org -- list of resources, visual arts focused, but worth a quick look https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links.
Loans:
Federal: Small Business Administration; (DisasterLoanSBA.gov) Loans up to $2 million/ 3%interest rates for non-profits; 4% for commercial businesses. (My memory from 9/11 is that you must have registered with FEMA.)
City: The city's Department of Small Business Services, which just set up a Sandy recovery website, has $5 million available to loan to small businesses. Amounts per business are capped at$10,000. For more information, call 311 and ask for NYC Business Solutions, or send in a contact request online. To get a loan, you can also locate one of the NYC Business Solutions Centers listed here:
400 E. Fordham Rd., 7th floor, Bronx, N.Y., 10458. Phone: 718-960-7910
9 Bond St., 5th floor, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201. Phone: 347-296-8021
79 John St., New York, N.Y., 10038. Phone: 212-618-8914
168-25 Jamaica Ave., 2nd floor, Jamaica, N.Y., 11432. Phone: 718-577-2148
120 Stuyvesant Place, 3rd floor, Staten Island, N.Y., 10301. Phone: 718-285-8400
215 W. 125th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y., 10027. Phone: 917-493-7243
560 W. 181st St., 2nd floor, New York, N.Y., 10033. Phone: 212-928-3400
NOTE: This does not mention non-profits. I could not get a person on the phone, but will be following up to ascertain that it does. If not, please assume that it will shortly.
Dance: Dance/NYC Help them tell your story and help you by writing Lacey Althouse at lalthouse@dancenyc.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @DanceNYC #sandydance.
Theatre: ART/NY (www.art-newyork.org) are collecting information re immediate losses and expect to provide further assistance so stay in touch with them.
Salvage guides and/or information for visual arts, but anyone with damaged props, costumes might find help:
AIC: www.conservation-us.org/disaster
NCPTT, Wet Recovery resources: http://ncptt.nps.gov/wet-recovery/
Heritage Preservation: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TASKFER.HTM
Galleries:
Sara Friedlander, Associate Vice President, Head of First Open at Christie’s in New York, is arranging space at Christie’s for artists to use their laptops and charge their phones, and may be able to assist galleries with storage space for their art. Those interested, please call (212) 468-7177.
Individuals:
Space needs for shows: Check www.NYCPASpaces.org.
Emergency Financial assistance: The Actors Fund (NOT limited to actors) Call: 917-281-5936 or Twitter @TheActorsFund or private message via Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheActorsFund). Communications are confidential. Also, free Health Clinic; call 212-489-1039 to check on hours and eligibility for clinic.
CERF+ a range of resources; http://craftemergency.org (NOT limited to crafts.) 802-229-2306
ArtsReady.org list of resources for funding for emergency relief https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links
New York Foundation for the Arts, www.nyfa.org (currently not open and not entirely clear what they will be able to do as yet).
Visual artists: Sara Friedlander, Associate Vice President, Head of First Open at Christie’s in New York, is arranging space at Christie’s for artists to use their laptops and charge their phones,and may be able to assist galleries with storage space for their art. Those interested, please call(212) 468-7177.
Dancers: Dance/NYC Let them know your situation by writing to Lacey Althouse at lalthouse@dancenyc.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @DanceNYC#sandydance.
Norma P. Munn
New York City Arts Coalition 212-246-3788
After 9/11, the NYC Arts Coalition gathered data for the area impacted and organized a coordinated way of looking at the resources available to both arts groups and artists. There were some hard learned lessons, one of which is that there is almost too much information at first and no way to figure out what is worth one’s time and effort.
This memo is an effort to provide some structure to the options and choices people face at this time. It is by no means complete, and I’m sure that some will find options I have not seen over the past two days. Please circulate to anyone, including small galleries, self-employed artists (or anyone self employed) for whom you feel the information is valuable.
First, self-employed people are eligible for unemployment insurance in areas where are federal declaration of a disaster has been declared. If in any doubt, apply.
Second, federal disaster resources will be dependent on your (or your arts group/business) being registered at FEMA. Go to www.disasterassistance.gov. This includes money, so do not neglect this.NOTE: for performing arts groups, if you register and are later told you are not eligible,let me know ASAP. The federal legislation that controls eligibility had some limitations after 9/11, which the Chair of NYSCA, Richard Schwartz, was able to work with the Pataki administration to have lifted. I’m sure it can be done for this disaster if needed.NOTE: for individuals, you may want to also go to register at
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6245/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=6487.
This is the site of NYC Communities for Change and they are assisting with followup on FEMA, which might be helpful in speeding up the process. Consider this a back up, just in case. They have also offered to help with the process if you need it.
Third, take pictures and keep records of what you spend on anything.
Fourth, while a complete assessment of the losses in the community will be necessary, it will be most useful if done comprehensively citywide and I am hopeful that DCA will be able to undertake this for everyone once they are completely functioning in their temporary space.
The rest of this memo is divided into a section for arts groups and a section for individuals,although there are some overlaps. I will also continue to try to sort out the range of resources and provide a follow up email with additional information, especially with regard to financial resources.
Organizations: (There is no information as yet on emergency grants. Will continue to check.)
ArsReady.org -- list of resources, visual arts focused, but worth a quick look https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links.
Loans:
Federal: Small Business Administration; (DisasterLoanSBA.gov) Loans up to $2 million/ 3%interest rates for non-profits; 4% for commercial businesses. (My memory from 9/11 is that you must have registered with FEMA.)
City: The city's Department of Small Business Services, which just set up a Sandy recovery website, has $5 million available to loan to small businesses. Amounts per business are capped at$10,000. For more information, call 311 and ask for NYC Business Solutions, or send in a contact request online. To get a loan, you can also locate one of the NYC Business Solutions Centers listed here:
400 E. Fordham Rd., 7th floor, Bronx, N.Y., 10458. Phone: 718-960-7910
9 Bond St., 5th floor, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201. Phone: 347-296-8021
79 John St., New York, N.Y., 10038. Phone: 212-618-8914
168-25 Jamaica Ave., 2nd floor, Jamaica, N.Y., 11432. Phone: 718-577-2148
120 Stuyvesant Place, 3rd floor, Staten Island, N.Y., 10301. Phone: 718-285-8400
215 W. 125th St., 6th floor, New York, N.Y., 10027. Phone: 917-493-7243
560 W. 181st St., 2nd floor, New York, N.Y., 10033. Phone: 212-928-3400
NOTE: This does not mention non-profits. I could not get a person on the phone, but will be following up to ascertain that it does. If not, please assume that it will shortly.
Dance: Dance/NYC Help them tell your story and help you by writing Lacey Althouse at lalthouse@dancenyc.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @DanceNYC #sandydance.
Theatre: ART/NY (www.art-newyork.org) are collecting information re immediate losses and expect to provide further assistance so stay in touch with them.
Salvage guides and/or information for visual arts, but anyone with damaged props, costumes might find help:
AIC: www.conservation-us.org/disaster
NCPTT, Wet Recovery resources: http://ncptt.nps.gov/wet-recovery/
Heritage Preservation: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TASKFER.HTM
Galleries:
Sara Friedlander, Associate Vice President, Head of First Open at Christie’s in New York, is arranging space at Christie’s for artists to use their laptops and charge their phones, and may be able to assist galleries with storage space for their art. Those interested, please call (212) 468-7177.
Individuals:
Space needs for shows: Check www.NYCPASpaces.org.
Emergency Financial assistance: The Actors Fund (NOT limited to actors) Call: 917-281-5936 or Twitter @TheActorsFund or private message via Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheActorsFund). Communications are confidential. Also, free Health Clinic; call 212-489-1039 to check on hours and eligibility for clinic.
CERF+ a range of resources; http://craftemergency.org (NOT limited to crafts.) 802-229-2306
ArtsReady.org list of resources for funding for emergency relief https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links
New York Foundation for the Arts, www.nyfa.org (currently not open and not entirely clear what they will be able to do as yet).
Visual artists: Sara Friedlander, Associate Vice President, Head of First Open at Christie’s in New York, is arranging space at Christie’s for artists to use their laptops and charge their phones,and may be able to assist galleries with storage space for their art. Those interested, please call(212) 468-7177.
Dancers: Dance/NYC Let them know your situation by writing to Lacey Althouse at lalthouse@dancenyc.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @DanceNYC#sandydance.
Norma P. Munn
New York City Arts Coalition 212-246-3788
