From National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response: Raleigh, NC, Olympia, WA, Jackson, MS, and Trenton, NJ are among the communities which will be served by a new Crisis Analysis & Mitigation Coach. Ten arts administrators have been selected for training by NCAPER, the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response, and Air Collaborative. The full list is here.
These leaders will join ten existing coaches in the CAM program, a nationwide network of arts responders trained to coach distressed communities in developing or expanding mitigation efforts using the arts and creativity. According to NCAPER Executive Director Janet Newcomb, “Rather than waiting for another disaster to occur, CAM Network coaches use ‘Blue Sky’ moments to plan readiness and mitigation, to be better prepared for the next disaster, and to build vital community communication networks.” Why are existing relationships key to responding to and garnering resources following a disaster, and to building resiliency for future crises? “Because all disasters are local. Crises happen in a specific place, and immediate help will come from local resources. People must first rely on local community resources, and work locally to build community resilience,” Newcomb says.
CAM focuses on recruiting coaches who currently work within state and local arts agencies and arts service organizations, and CAM participants will build their coaching responsibilities into their job descriptions, as a requirement of the program. Local arts councils usually have the most direct connection with artists in their community, and are aware of smaller and emerging organizations. They have a direct line to get information and connections to these folks, and to connect them with local community and economic leaders. State arts councils and commissions are also critical players in the crisis preparedness and recovery ecology. When a disaster of significant scale occurs, the funding is going to flow through the state government, so the state arts agency needs to be at the table to make sure that resources get to the arts sector.