NHR Current Response Efforts

Woman wearing mask, holding clipboard.

Woman wearing PPE and moving artwork.

Five people wearing masks and PPE looking at damaged collections.

The National Heritage Responders (NHR) and FAIC are participating in response and recovery efforts. Find resources for active emergencies below.

National Heritage Responders are actively monitoring the widespread and continuing flooding in Hawaii. Below are resources for cultural heritage organizations.

General

NHR 24/7 Hotline 202-661-8068

NHR Public Helpline Email (nhrpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org)

Hawai'i Emergency Management

Grant & Financial Support

Hawaii Community Foundation 

National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives

CERF+ Emergency Relief Grants

The Entertainment Community Fund

MusiCares

If a major disaster declaration is made by FEMA, you will find information on the type of declaration and types of assistance available here. If applicable, you can learn more about Public Assistance Categories. Guidance on the Public Assistance Program Delivery Process is here: Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide Version 4 (fema.gov). Assistance may cover Salvage/Emergency Protective Measures, which may include, but are not limited to:  

  1. Temporary emergency repair (blue roofs and other work) or stabilization of an eligible facility if it eliminates or lessens an immediate threat 
  2. Wet vacuuming, damp wiping, or vacuuming with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) equipment of the interior space  
  3. Removal of contaminated gypsum board, plaster (or similar wall finishes), carpet or floor finishes, and ceilings or permanent light fixtures 
  4. Cleaning of contaminated heating and ventilation (including ductwork), plumbing, and air conditioning systems or other mechanical equipment 
  5. Removal or relocation of collections to prevent damage or loss 
  6. Find Disaster Recovery Center locations as they become available here: DRC Locator

Technical Guidance & Salvage Information:

FAIC's National Heritage Responders 

FAIC's Water Damage Resources, including tip sheets and guidance on Health and Safety, Object Salvage, and Mold

Save Your Family Treasures 

Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative Resources 

Impact Assessment Forms:

Were any cultural institutions, arts organizations, or artists affected? If so, how? Please encourage those impacted to fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms hosted by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation and the National Coalition of Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response:

·        Cultural Institutions

·        Arts Organizations

·        Individual Artists and Performing Groups

How You Can Help

Share NHR contact information below with anyone whose collections may have been affected 

Donate to support FAIC emergency programs, including NHR at https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate.

After the September 2025 five-alarm fire in a warehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY, FAIC deployed several National Heritage responders both virtually and in person to lead salvage efforts for artwork from over 100 artists. While Responders are out of the field, we remain available to advice on continuing recovery efforts.

General

New York Disaster Survivors State and Local Referral List

Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition

Red Hook Business Alliance

Red Hook Business Association Impact Assessment Form

Mental Health Support NYC 988 — Free, 24/7 confidential support

· Call or Text: 988 · Chat: 988lifeline.org

Support is available in over 200 languages by phone, and in English/Spanish via text and chat. No insurance required. (Standard message/data rates may apply.)

Safety Net Coalition Resources

Grants & Studio Space Opportunities

CERF+ Emergency Relief Grants

Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant 

New York Public Library Funding Resources Guide

New York Foundation for the Arts Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants (including mental health emergencies) 

New York Foundation for the Arts Emergency Grant Resource List 

Creative Capital for Artists 

SmackMellon Artist Studio Program (fellowship for studio space) 

Brooklyn Arts Council Grant Opportunities 

Women’s Studio Workshop Studio Residency Grant (free housing, studio access, stipend, money for materials and travel) 

Technical Guidance & Salvage Information:

Cleaning and Caring for Your Art After the Fire - Video

Artist Recovery Webinar Flyer

Red Hook Recovery First Steps - Safety and Handling Video

Recovery First Steps Resource Packet

FAIC's National Heritage Responders

FAIC's Salvage After Fire Resources

Save Your Family Treasures 

Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative Resources 

How You Can Help

Share NHR contact information below with anyone whose collections may have been affected 

Donate at https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate.

How to Receive Assistance with Collections Recovery

Institutions

If your collections have been affected by an emergency, call 202.661.8068.

Public

If your personal items have been damaged in an emergency, email NHRPublicHelpline@culturalheritage.org.

Rapid Impact Assessment Forms

With support from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), online assessment forms for affected arts and culture communities are available and will help identify where assistance is sought, provide assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and inform how recovery efforts progress.

If your collections have been impacted by a crisis or disaster of any type or scale, we encourage you to complete a brief assessment form.

Rapid Damage Assessment Form for Cultural Organizations

Arts Organizations Assessment Form

Individual Artists and Performing Groups Assessment Form 

How You Can Help

Share NHR contact information with anyone whose collections may have been affected.

Donate at https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate.

Quick Links

Support Emergency Programs

Consider making a gift to support the National Heritage Responders and our emergency programs.


Donate Today!