Artists: Still Need Help Post-Harvey? Deadlines Extended!

by Paula Newton October 25, 2017

Flooding in the home of Houston artist Keliy Anderson-Staley (courtesy the artist) via Hyperallergic

Attention all artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Harvey: the Harvey Arts Recovery Fund and FEMA have announced extensions for filing for assistance. Do it! Below is the announcement:

The Harvey Arts Recovery Fund (HARF) urges individual artists who suffered personal and professional losses as a result of Hurricane Harvey, as well as small- and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations that sustained damage or loss of income, to apply for state and federal disaster relief funding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that the deadline to apply for disaster assistance has been pushed back from Tuesday, October 24, 2017, to Friday, November 24, 2017. This extension also gives artists and nonprofits more time to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), is next Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

“The arts community is a major economic driver in Houston, and we expect that many artists and organizations were affected by Hurricane Harvey — if not from direct storm or flood damage, then in lost wages or income due to cancelled events and interruption to business,” said Debbie McNulty, director of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). “State and federal dollars are essential for the immediate recovery and future health of Houston’s arts community.”

Preliminary impact estimates, taken from 88 area nonprofit organizations that have completed assessment forms, put the cost of facilities damage and lost wages in excess of $53.6 million. This figure does not account for all nonprofits in the area, nor does it factor in the financial impact on individual artists.

Individuals are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, administered by the TWC, if they suffered lost wages or if they no longer have access to their primary source of income as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey; FEMA Disaster Assistance for damaged property; and SBA Disaster Loans. Nonprofit organizations that suffered damage during Hurricane Harvey, incurred costs associated with preparation or cleanup, or endured a loss of income are eligible to submit an SBA Disaster Loan Application and a FEMA Request for Public Assistance.

HARF has compiled a list of resources and tips for individuals filing claims, available online at http://bit.ly/2ig6HRh. Those in need of additional information should visit www.harveyartsrecovery.org or email [email protected].

Upcoming Deadlines:
For Individuals

Tuesday, October 31, 2017: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (administered by TWC)

Friday, November 24, 2017: FEMA Disaster Assistance Claim (grant) and SBA Disaster Loan Application (long term low interest loan)

For Nonprofits

Tuesday, October 31, 2017: FEMA Request for Public Assistance (grant), due at 5 p.m.

Friday, November 24, 2017: SBA Disaster Loan Application (long term low interest loan)

0 comment

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Funding generously provided by: