Following the recent South River Art Studio fire, we are sharing key resources to support affected artists and guidance for those who wish to help. Impacted artists can access free, 24/7 assistance from the National Heritage Responders (NHR), a team of professional conservators who provide support with salvaging and stabilizing damaged artworks and materials. They can be reached at 202-661-8068 or nhrpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org. Artists affected by the fire can access water-based recovery resources, including mold, here, and smoke and soot recovery resources here.
The National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) is also available to provide coordinated disaster support, including optional community recovery calls and guidance through the response and rebuilding process. In addition, artists in need of urgent medical, dental, or mental health assistance may apply for the Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants available at nyfa.org.
For those in the community looking to support recovery efforts, recommended forms of assistance include offering safe workspace or storage, donating PPE or cleaning supplies, and supporting local fundraising efforts that directly benefit affected artists. We will continue to share updates as additional resources become available, and we stand with all artists impacted during this difficult time.