Webinars are offered by the Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project and cover various topics related to emergency preparedness.

• Disaster Response for Performing Arts Organizations, March 3, 2020, 2 p.m. (EST). Emergency response can be a daunting prospect for performing arts organizations. This webinar will lay out the basic tenets of responding to an emergency including support organizations, working with vendors, and helpful resources for organization and planning. There will also be a brief introduction to the Incident Command System so that performing arts centers can work more seamlessly with their local first responders.


• Protecting Your Assets: Managing Legacy Materials for Performing Arts Organizations, March 12, 2020, 3 p.m.(EDT). Is your organization’s history in a basement, under water pipes, or next to the furnace and unorganized? Performing Arts Organizations often keep a variety of legacy materials, including business records, programs from performances, posters, props, and other artifacts. Using a series of case studies, this class will examine how to collect and organize both physical and digital arts-related materials so you can access these materials for future.


• Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts, March 24, 2020, 2 p.m. (EDT). Emergency response and preparedness for performing arts organizations can be a difficult task for individual organizations. This free two-hour webinar will demonstrate how working with multiple organizations in a network for disaster management can be accomplished.


• Crisis Communication and Reputation Management for Performing Arts Organizations, March 25, 2020, 2 p.m. (EDT). As professionals rise through the ranks, they will face issues that thrust them into the spotlight and threaten organizational reputation. A recent study found that 9 in 10 business leaders (94%) admit that the executives in their organizations need more training in core communication disciplines, such as reputation management and strategic communication. Are you prepared? This class reviews elements of strategic communication that are essential before, during and after crisis events. It examines how your organization can best prepare to respond to crisis and restore organizational reputation.


• Community Recovery Through Arts and Culture, TBD. Arts and culture—through the artists and arts and cultural organizations that bring them to communities -- have a vital role to play in recovery from disasters. In this webinar, we will focus on how you, as performing arts organizations, can engage in this work. We will provide background in basic disaster management principles, share work other organizations have produced, give guiding principles as well as a brief how-to, leave you with resources for further study, and answer any questions you may have. Rebuilding social infrastructure strengthens communities’ abilities to move forward after disasters. Learn how to be part of the process and gain a seat at the table in your community’s recovery.

See the full list of webinars at Performing Arts Readiness. 

Disaster Preparedness: General Resources

• Americans for the Arts Preparedness Checklist
• National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response

Disaster Relief: General Resources

• The Actors Fund: A national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment.
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+): With a focus on studio artists, CERF+ strives to support a safettnet of resources and support to protect and sustain their livelihood, studio and art. They offer the following emergency guide.
• MusiCares: The Grammy Foundation’s charity that provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.
• New York Foundation for the Arts Emergency Resources: A curated list of available emergency grants.
• Women Arts: A curated list of available emergency grants.

Disaster Relief: Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria

• CERF+ Responds to Hurricanes Harvey + Irma + Maria
• MusiCares: 2017 Hurricane Relief Efforts
• Update on National Endowment for the Arts Support for Arts and Cultural Communities Affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria

The horrific acts of violence that have taken place in Las Vegas, Manchester, and Paris remind us that cultural events can be targets. Our field partner ArtsReady recommends the following resources to assist in your preparation for and response to acts of violence.

Active Shooter:

From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

• Video: Responding To An Active Shooter Crisis Situation
• Publication: Active Shooter: How to Respond – Profile of an Active Shooter - This booklet contains advice on individual responses including evacuation and hiding out, as well as guidance on training your staff on how to prepare and respond.
• Webinar: 90-minute Active Shooter Webinar - This 90-minute recorded webinar from the Department of Homeland Security can help the private and public sector understand the importance of developing an emergency response plan and the need to train employees on how to respond if confronted with an active shooter.

From the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

• Video: Surviving an Active Shooter (WARNING HIGHLY GRAPHIC) portraying a number of different types of active shooter scenarios and how to protect yourself and those around you.

Bomb Threat:

From the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI):

• Website: What to Do If There is a Bomb Threat includes a useful checklist to keep posted near the main phone lines in both administrative and box office/guest service areas.