July 27, 2026: Appleton and Menasha were hit by a tornado, leaving communities with severe damage. Read more about the event from WPR.
July 28, 2026: Governor Evers Declares State of Emergency in Response to Severe Storms throughout Eastern Wisconsin.
Natural disasters, emergencies, and critical life events can affect anyone, and leave effects that can reverberate for days, weeks, months, or even years throughout affected lives and communities. Artists, cultural institutions, arts administrators, and arts organizations can all be impacted by these types of extreme events.
We've compiled a list of resources for folks within Wisconsin's arts ecosystem below, and will continue to update the list with relevant and timely information. These resources are categorized by the type of help provided, and who/what may benefit from the resource. If you notice that a resource is missing, or if you have a question, please let us know by calling us at 608-266-0190, or sending an email to artsboard@wisconsin.gov.
Resources for Individuals and Organizations
Disaster 101: Your guide to extreme weather preparation, relief, and recovery | Grist
This guide to extreme weather preparation, relief, and recovered is published by Grist. Grist is an independent media organization dedicated to reporting on climate change.
Midwest Art Conservation Center
The MACC staff is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week to give immediate assistance with disaster recovery efforts. Institutions and individuals experiencing a collections disaster can contact MACC to consult on the best practices to protect and recover their collections.
Call the main phone number, 612-870-3120 and you will be directed to a staff member immediately or to our after-hours emergency phone number.
National Coalition for Arts Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)
Nonprofits may be eligible for Public Assistance and other recovery resources; the Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Assistance provides guidance through multiple funding programs for artists and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
PEN America U.S. Writers Aid Initiative
PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative, part of the PEN America Writers Emergency Fund, offers grants for writers in the United States facing acute financial need following an emergency situation. The U.S. Writers Aid Initiative is intended to assist fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, playwrights, translators, and journalists in addressing short-term financial emergencies. To be eligible, applicants must be professional writers based in the United States, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping address a short-term emergency situation.
ReadyWisconsin
ReadyWisconsin is a Wisconsin state-run public safety campaign that equips individuals, families, and communities with tools and knowledge to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA has information to help you prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters specific to Wisconsin. FEMA also provides tools and resources for recovery after a natural disaster. One of these tools provides guidance to help you recover your family treasures.
If and when federal disaster declarations are in place (find declarations here), federal assistance may be available:
Artists and other self-employed individuals may be eligible for FEMA assistance to replace tools and equipment lost or damaged; a guidance booklet is here.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
NEA has a Disaster Readiness & Recovery for the Arts and Culture Sector page with a number of resources for arts organizations.
The National Heritage Responders (NHR)
NHR serves the needs of cultural institutions and the public during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public.
Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups affected can call the National Heritage Responders hotline at 202-661-8068. Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative
The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) share materials to help those in the U.S. and abroad be fully prepared in all aspects of disaster risk management and emergency response.
Funding for Artists
Artists At Risk Connection's Emergency Support
NOTE: Due to capacity constraints, ARC has temporarily paused the intake of new assistance requests received on the “I am At Risk” portal until September 1, 2026.
ARC provides critical emergency support to artists and cultural workers at risk by offering tailored assistance to ensure their safety, well-being, and ability to continue their work safely. This support includes connecting artists to relocation programs, facilitating emergency relocation, offering financial aid for urgent needs, and providing guidance and resources to help them navigate crises. Through a last-resort grant program, ARC addresses immediate needs of artists and their families in crisis.
Artists' Charitable Fund
Colorado based Artists' Charitable Fund assists visual artists, painters and sculptors living in the United States, who have been making a living from their art for at least five years - proven by providing copy of latest IRS filing by paying a portion of their medical / dental / eye-care bills. This charitable fund provides assistance for artists in crisis.
Behind the Scenes' Natural Disaster Relief Grant
Behind the Scenes has a limited number of small one time grants available to entertainment technology professionals who have been severely impacted by a natural disaster (fire, hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, etc.). These grants are intended to assist with immediate basic necessities such as food, clothing, medications, toiletries, etc.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
NOTE: After careful evaluation of their financial position, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund has made the difficult decision to suspend all grantmaking programs for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026. Grantmaking will resume on October 1, 2026.
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief, education programs, and readiness grants to strengthen preparedness.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts' Emergency Grants
Created in 1993 to further FCA's mission to encourage, sponsor, and promote work of a contemporary, experimental nature, Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists and poets who meet certain criteria. Emergency Grants is a year-round, multi-disciplinary program that offers immediate, project-based assistance to artists living and working anywhere in the United States, for projects occurring in the U.S. and abroad.
General Funding Opportunities
WAB maintains a running list of funding opportunities, open calls, grants, and more. Your local arts agency or local artist collective/center/cooperative may also have additional funding opportunities.
MusiCares
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.
The Artists' Fellowship
The Artists' Fellowship financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability or bereavement. Assistance is given without expectation of repayment.
The Entertainment Community Fund
The Entertainment Community Fund is a national nonprofit supporting performing arts and entertainment professionals with services in health, housing, career development, and emergency assistance. Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals who are experiencing an unexpected, critical financial need.
The Jazz Foundation's Musicians' Emergency Fund
The Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis.