Below are documents that provide a number of different resources for recovering works of art damaged in Hurricane Sandy. They include contact information for organizations that are helping in the recovery effort, vendors for materials and direct help, and general guidelines for the handling of damaged art and basic triage steps that might be applicable.

  • Cultural Recovery Center to Open in Brooklyn The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) announces a temporary facility to provide volunteer assistance and work space to museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, galleries, collectors, and artists to open in Brooklyn.

  • Immediate Response for Collections A document that offers guidelines for dealing with art damaged by flooding. It offers step by step measures that can be taken to conserve artworks in a variety of mediums that have been damaged by water, including library and archive collections. It also includes a list of suppliers and emergency services that can provide some of the services listed in the document.

  • Informational Resources, Volunteering, and Funding Upcoming informational resources (seminars, webinars, etc.), getting involved and getting help, and funding resources.

  • Disaster Recovery Resources Organizations and companies that can provide resources and information about disaster relief and recovery.

  • Disaster Recovery: Supplies for Salvage Basic materials reference list for what can be useful in recovering works of art.

  • Consortium on Recovery of Works of Art Damaged by Flooding Powerpoint slides that provide concise guidelines and practices in a disaster recovery.

  • Alliance for Response, NYC A local volunteer organization focused on connecting emergency responders with representatives of the cultural heritage community.

  • American Institute for Conservation Collections Emergency Response Team A national membership organization supporting the professionals who preserve our cultural heritage

  • The Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions is a publication of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 42 federal agencies and national service organizations that is co-sponsored by FEMA and Heritage Preservation. Please share this PDF with other cultural institutions so they may be better prepared for the long recovery process.

  • The Warhol Foundation has announced a grants program for non-profits and individual artists affected by Hurricane Sandy. Learn more about where and how to apply.

  • MoMA’s INSIDE/OUT blog features a series of posts in which conservators offer tips for artists for dealing with wet artworks in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. All posts are prepared by members of AIC-CERT (American Institute for Conservation – Conservation Emergency Response Team). AIC-CERT responds to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public. For 24-hour assistance from trained volunteers, call (202) 661-8068.


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