Friday, June 27, 2025
CAH hosted a number of workshops to address emergency preparedness topics and issues in the arts. Please see below for complete details on each session. All sessions were held virtually via Zoom and the recordings can be found by the hyperlinks below.
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CAH Staff opened with remarks, followed by an introduction to DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) by Benjamin Curran, Chair, and our first session was hosted by Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, Fund Development and Program Officer, National Coalition for Arts Preparedness (NCAPER)
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“Blue sky times” are the periods when things are stable, running (more or less) normally. These are the best times for readiness planning, to be ready for whatever “storms” might occur. This session launched from the findings of this DC CAH survey and identified some common strengths and needs for the DC arts community.
Emergency Planning and Business Insurance for Artists
- Cameron Baxter Lewis provided an in-depth session on developing emergency plans and business insurance options for artists. Cameron serves as the Director of Grants, Programs, and Training at the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), where he oversees emergency response and readiness initiatives. He holds a Master's in Public Administration and Emergency Management and is dedicated to fostering inclusivity in the arts through his work.
Disaster Planning, Risk Assessment, & Collaboration
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Tom Clareson, Performing Arts Readiness, Project Director of Performing Arts Readiness (PAR), presented information about the growing number of types of disasters that our arts and cultural institutions may face – from natural, human-made, and technological crises to “administrative emergencies” which might include funding cuts and succession or other staffing issues.
This session discussed the development of disaster plans which can help mitigate risks or address emergency situations, and consider how collaborating with other arts and cultural organizations can help you prepare for and respond to disasters.
Rehearsal to Readiness: Accessibility in Arts Emergency Planning
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In this closing session, Rehearsal to Readiness: Centering Accessibility in Arts-Based Emergency Planning, Jessica Wallach from Story Tapestries led a dynamic, hands-on exploration of what it truly means to center accessibility in emergency preparedness. Through embodied reflection, real-world examples, and creative tools drawn from the arts, participants were asked to rethink emergency planning not as a static checklist, but as a responsive process rooted in physical awareness, access needs, and intentional practice.