Friday, June 27, 2025
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
CAH will host 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 will be held virtually via Zoom.
Welcome and Blue Skies to Storms
9:30 am - 11:30 am
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CAH Staff will open with remarks, followed by an introduction to DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) by Benjamin Curran, Chair, and our first session hosted by Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, Fund Development and Program Officer, National Coalition for Arts Preparedness(NCAPER)
Blue Skies to Storms: Stories, Strategies, and Systems for Readiness in the Arts and Humanities
“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 will launch from the findings of this DC CAH survey and identify some common strengths and needs for the DC arts community.
Emergency Planning and Business Insurance for Artists
12 pm - 1:30 pm
- Join Cameron Baxter Lewis for 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
2 pm - 3:30 pm
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Tom Clareson, Performing Arts Readiness, Project Director of Performing Arts Readiness (PAR), will present 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.
We’ll discuss 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
4 pm - 5:30 pm
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In this closing session, Rehearsal to Readiness: Centering Accessibility in Arts-Based Emergency Planning, Jessica Wallach from Story Tapestries leads 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 will rethink emergency planning not as a static checklist, but as a responsive process rooted in physical awareness, access needs, and intentional practice.
This session isn’t just about compliance — it’s about care, communication, and culture change.