Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Fresh Arts has compiled an Emergency Resources List that can be found here. (Thank you Fresh Arts!) The sheet includes national emergency funding, general resource guides, local emergency response info, and links to area shelters, volunteer opportunities and more.

Thanks to Dennis Nance, Glasstire, Lawndale Art Center and so many others who contributed to the list. We are encouraging individuals to add and share resources and invite others to do the same as they become available.

For those who are in need of immediate rescue
Houston Police Department
311 or 713-884-3131
Houston Fire Department
311
US Coast Guard
281-464-4851 \ 281-464-4852 \ 281-464-4853 \ 281-464-4854 \ 281-464-4855

Please abide by the following safety measures:

  • Stay calm, do not panic.
  • Do not go into your attic
  • Safely seek high ground
  • Safely mark your roof to be seen by the air. To get rescuers attention, wave sheets, towels etc. Addresses are difficult to spot

Text your address to 346-214-0739 to find the closest shelter.

Stay connected 

For real-time updates and local news on Hurricane Harvey disaster relief, check out The City of Houston Emergency Information Center and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Twitter. Keep up with Road Closures & Conditions and see real-time conditions via Houston Transtar Camera Views. 

There are also dozens of Hurricane Harvey Facebook groups offering a forum to share resources, photos, and emergency help. One of the largest is the FB group with over 100k members: Hurricane Harvey 2017 – Together We Will Make It; TOGETHER WE WILL REBUILD. A dance specific FB group has been created as well: Help Texas Dance Community

Damage / Loss database
Dance Source Houston has created a Google doc for studios, companies and artists affected by Hurricane Harvey to allow the many dance colleagues from across the nation who have reached out about supporting our community. Please add your info and help spread the word!

If you can support by donating supplies to studios and companies in their effort to rebuild, please add your information here to a database created by Chicagoan J. Lindsay Brown.

Emergency funding
The Emergency Resources List offers many funding sources available for the general public. Those listed below are specifically for artists working within the dance and performing arts field.

The Actors Fund
Emergency financial assistance and other resources for performing artists. Visit
actorsfund.org/GetHelp or contact below:
Texas Residents – 323.933.9244, ext. 455 – [email protected]
Louisiana Residents – 212.221.7300, ext. 119 – [email protected]

Change, Inc.
Emergency grants for artists in all disciplines needing help with rent, medical expenses, utility bills, fire damage, etc. Grants up to $1,000. Call (212) 473-3742 for complete instructions (via a clear, concise message) on how to apply for the grant.

Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Provides grants for artists and organizations who incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates. Visit foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grants/emergency-grants to apply.

The Haven Foundation
The Haven Foundation gives financial assistance to provide temporary support needed to safeguard and sustain the careers of established freelance artists, writers and other members of the arts and art production communities who have suffered disabilities or experienced a career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or personal catastrophe. Visit foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grants/emergency-grants to apply.

Texas Commission on the Arts
If you are a professional artist or represent an arts organization that has been impacted by Harvey and/or subsequent flooding, please email TCA Deputy Director Jim Bob McMillan at [email protected] or call at 512.936.6572. TCA understands that you may not yet know the extent of the damages you have sustained (or, in some cases, will sustain), but please check in with your organization name; your name, title, and contact information; and any information you have so far about your organization’s impacted property. 

Did you or a loved one lose your job because of Hurricane Harvey? Apply forDisaster Unemployment Assistance online through the Texas Workforce Commission. Due to the impact to mail delivery, they encourage you to select direct deposit as your payment method.

Volunteer
Anyone wanting and safely able to volunteer their time at TX and LA shelters, register to become a volunteer via American Red Cross. For those specifically interested in volunteering at the GRB, first complete the easy 4-step volunteer registration process, then once cleared, check-in at GRB Hall E Red Cross volunteer desk. Parking at Hilton Americas-Houston is open and free of charge. Find out what supplies are needed at this crowd sourced database of Houston area shelters.

AirBnB has set up a Disaster Response Program where individuals can donate space for evacuees. All service fees are waived for those affected by the Hurricane Harvey disaster and checking in between August 23, 2017 and September 01, 2017.

Donate
Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible flood relief donations for victims that have been affected by the recent floods. You can also peruse hundreds of crowdfunding pages at Go Fund Me.com/HurricaneHarvey to help support individuals who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Don’t forget our furry friends! Austin Pets Alive! is accepting donations of money, food and pet supplies, volunteer time, and homes for fostering pet evacuees. The SPCA of Texas seeks foster homes to help care for displaced animals, as well as financial and in-kind donations, including cat litter, litter boxes, towels, blankets, large wire crates, toys, treats, pet beds, newspaper and gas gift cards.

Many other resource, funding, volunteer and donation opportunities exist, please check the Emergency Resource List.

Stay safe!
#HoustonStrong