NEW GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS DISASTER RELIEF FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

Federal grants for preparedness, response, and recovery are featured

WASHINGTON, D.C.--A new resource from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force identifies federal funding to help make an emergency plan, buy disaster supplies, or train staff for next year’s hurricane season. Before and After Disasters: Federal Funding for Cultural Institutions provides information on 15 federal grant and loan programs to help cultural institutions and historic sites prepare for and recover from disasters.

Before and After Disasters was produced by Heritage Preservation with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts. Before the guide was printed, the Task Force made it available electronically to help victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The programs described in Before and After Disasters help nonprofit arts centers, archives, conservation and historic preservation organizations, historical societies, historic sites, libraries, museums, and theaters, among others.

Before and After Disasters is an updated and expanded version of Resources for Recovery, last issued in 2000. The new booklet covers programs for planning and mitigation as well as recovery. The agency profiles contain information on eligibility and funding levels and include practical examples. A selection of on-line resources helps institutions find professional conservation expertise for their collections and the communities they serve.

Up to 50 copies of Before and After Disasters can be ordered at no charge from the FEMA publications office. Phone 800-480-2520 and ask for FEMA publication #533. The 32-page booklet can also be downloaded from Heritage Preservation’s Web site.

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The Heritage Emergency National Task Force is a partnership of 40 government agencies and national service organizations formed in 1995. An initiative of Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Task Force has helped to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Find valuable disaster resources at the Task Force Web site, www.heritageemergency.org.

For more than 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national, nonprofit advocate for the proper care of the objects and sites that embody our history and enrich our lives. Heritage Preservation partners with institutions, organizations, and concerned individuals who care about preserving our past.

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