Northeast Flooding Relief for Craft Artists

$6,560 received on 08/18/2023

Grant Program Year: 2023 

Grant Program/ Title: Northeast Flood Relief for Artists #60172

Organization Name: Craft Emergency Relief Fund, Inc #62599 

Total Grant Amount: $6,560

Disbursed: $6,560 = two (2) $3,000 emergency relief grants and one (1) partial emergency relief grant

CERF+ utilized the generous grant from GlobalGiving to support our ongoing efforts to provide emergency financial assistance to craft artists and artisans impacted by this year’s Northeast Flooding by providing three (3) Vermont-based artists with Emergency Relief Grants of up to $3,000, which focused on immediate aid to those artists who faced profound losses, including homes, materials, and artworks in the aftermath of this climate-related disaster.

Following are some examples of Emergency Relief grant recipients funded with the Northeast Flood GlobalGiving grant: 

*A furniture maker in Bristol, Vermont makes handmade custom pieces with a bent towards simplicity. His studio was damaged by the Vermont floods in July 2023, and he reached out to CERF+ one day after it happened. He wrote about the severity of the flooding and how it was dangerous to even assess the state of his studio without light. He will use the funds to replace lost and damaged equipment and materials and to replace lost income.
“Thank you very much for your support.”

*A ceramicist in Waterbury, Vermont has been making pottery and teaching for over twenty years and has been an artist full-time for the past ten years. In his words, “...a handmade piece of pottery in your hand is a choice that states that you want to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the moment.” His studio and barn were flooded and damaged in the Northeast/Vermont Flooding in July 2023. He will use the funds to replace lost and damaged equipment and materials and to pay related bills.

“Thank you so much for the support as I'm re-establishing my studio and practice after flooding from the storms of Summer 2023. The support from CERF+ came along just at the right moment, seamlessly offering me discounted materials from ceramic suppliers as well as helping me cover my work loss from the time that I devoted to rebuilding my studio and home.  The folks at CERF+ made it so easy to complete an application during a time that I was very stressed and busy with many other things.”

*A sculptor from Johnson, Vermont has been making art for over 40 years. He makes stone, clay, and bronze large-scale figures for public and private commissions. The recipient's home was damaged in the Northeast/Vermont Flooding in July 2023 and will use the funds to replace lost and damaged equipment and materials, pay related bills, and replace lost income.

“Many thanks to you and the people involved with the program. You're a godsend.”

On behalf of CERF+'s Board of Directors, our staff, and the artists we serve, thank you again for the Northeast Flood Recovery Grant we received from GlobalGiving in August 2023.  GlobalGiving has been a critical partner to CERF+ and our work in serving as the only national organization focused on the readiness, relief, and recovery of craft artists for over 38 years. 

Although many organizations show up with aid in the immediate aftermath of an emergency, few of them persevere to support the long-term recovery of a community.  Our goal has been first to listen and to learn about what is needed and, second, to address those needs. From economic instability to climate change and infrastructure rebuilds, the challenges are many, but CERF+ is dedicated to being part of the recovery process, paving the way for artists to thrive. 

Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to our work and the artists we serve. We are honored to partner with you and your support of the ongoing recovery of the artists and artisans within the Northeast region of the United States.  

Links:

• CERF+ website link