From the desk of Rich Boyd, Executive Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission:

In our continuing efforts to offer updated information about emergency response resources to the arts community most affected by the recent storms and subsequent flooding we would like to share the following information. Those of you who were fortunate enough to avoid storm damage may find some of this information valuable in terms of future readiness and preparedness.

The Governor's Communications Office has announced that the federal government authorized an initial major disaster declaration for four Tennessee counties on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Governor Phil Bredesen asked President Obama Monday to declare 52 counties federal disaster areas following the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck the state beginning Friday, April 30, 2010.

Tuesday's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cheatham, Davidson, Hickman and Williamson Counties (including both individual and public assistance) while declarations for six additional counties have subsequently been announced. The added counties include Dyer, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, and Tipton. More counties are expected to be added in coming days.

Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Public assistance is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures only at this time. In addition, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Those of you who have sustained losses in any of the designated counties can, and are encourage to, begin applying for assistance immediately by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). As subsequent counties are added to the declaration, their residents may register.

For further information on FEMA eligibility requirements for private nonprofit organizations see The Guide to Navigating Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions at the following:
-- www.heritagepreservation.org/federal/index.html
-- www.heritagepreservation.org/PDFS/GuidetoNavigatingFEMASBA.pdf

Additionally, the American Institute for Conservation (AIC), the national association of conservation professionals, is offering free emergency response assistance to cultural organizations. In the wake of historic flooding in the Nashville area, staff members of collecting institutions are encouraged to contact AIC-CERT if the flooding has damaged collections.
-- Call AIC's 24-hour assistance number at 202-661-8068 for advice by phone.
-- Call 202-661-8068 to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization.

In 2007, AIC received funding from the Institute of Museum & Library Services to support an advanced training program for conservators and other museum professionals that resulted in a force of 64 "rapid responders" trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster has occurred. They are ready to assist.

Resources and information on disaster recovery and salvage can be found on the AIC website at www.conservation-us.org/cert. The public can also call AIC-CERT at 202.661.8068.

Assistance for Tennessee museums that have experienced damage has been offered from across the state.
-- The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Contact Cameron Kitchin, Director, at Cameron.Kitchin@brooksmuseum.org, or 907-544-6200.
-- The Hunter Museum of American Art (Chattanooga). Contact Ellen Simak, Chief Curator, at esimak@huntermuseum.org, or 423-752-2048.

Again, Hal Partlow, director of performing arts, is our staff contact who will field your questions and collect information about the situation in your area. He can be reached at hal.partlow@tn.gov or (615) 532-9801.

Rich Boyd - Executive Director
Tennessee Arts Commission
401 Charlotte Avenue Nashville, TN 37243-0780
(615) 741-6396 Fax (615)741-8559
Email: rich.boyd@state.tn.us
Web site: www.arts.state.tn.us

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts.

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Country Music Hall of Fame Re-opens After Flooding

NASHVILLE -- The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum re-opened its doors this week. The Museum has been closed since Monday, May 3, 2010, due to the catastrophic flooding in downtown Nashville and surrounding areas, and subsequent loss of electrical power.

"We would like to thank all of our friends and patrons who have expressed concern about our situation and offered to help," said Director Kyle Young. "The Museum has sustained minor damage, but the exhibits and collections - located on the second, third and fourth floors of the building - are safe and dry and were never in danger. Emergency generators are powering climate control systems to keep the collection safe and to allow crews to work on cleanup."

At the height of the flooding, the museum had nearly six feet of water in one of the mechanical rooms, located below ground level. Water also came into the Ford theater, located on the street level.
more...

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Recovery Information Available Through ArtsReady Web Site

ArtsReady.org is a web-based tool designed to help arts organizations be more resilient following a major crisis like the recent flooding in Nashville, Tenn. An initiative of South Arts, Arts Ready is a resource that offers listings for general assistance for both individual artists and arts organizations. The site was recently updated with preparation and recovery information. more...

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Craft Emergency Relief Fund Offers Assistance

NASHVILLE -- Craig Nutt, director of programs for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), offers suggestions to those facing recovery from the flooding. "As the next few days are critical in efforts to salvage art work and important documentation from flood waters, it's important that artists have resources available to them." Nutt suggests the new Studio Protector Web site that has information and resources to help artists and arts organizations in their efforts. The Studio Protector also has information on getting help from relief providers and the arts sector. In addition, CERF+ offers financial assistance to professional craft artists whose careers have been threatened by this disaster.
Nutt can be reached at 615-952-4309, or e-mail: craig@craftemergency.org. more...

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Resources Available To Artists and Arts Organizations Facing Flood Recovery Efforts

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Arts Commission has received numerous reports of damage caused by recent flooding in West and Middle Tennessee. The Commission will offer any assistance possible, by making information resources available to artists and arts organizations affected by this disaster. The contact person at the Commission is Hal Partlow. He will be fielding questions, collecting information about specific situations, and directing constituents to appropriate resources. Partlow may be contacted at 615-532-9801 or by e-mail: hal.partlow@tn.gov. Another valuable resource is South Arts in Atlanta, who manages through their Web site, Arts Ready, a service providing preparation and recovery information. South Arts also manages a blog which is used to deliver status reports and requests for information. Recently the blog provided suggestions to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in the midst of their flooding. more...

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Volunteer Spirit Thrives Among State's Arts Organizations

NASHVILLE -- After the devastating floods last week, arts organizations across the state stepped up and offered their assistance. Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Musuem of Art held Community Days for Nashvillians, offering free admission. Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville also offered free admission. Both organizations felt it was a small way of helping people cope with the recent tragic events. Assistance for Tennessee museums that experienced damage has been offered by the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and The Hunter Museum of American Art. The list of organizations offering assistance continues to grow.

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