California Arts Council Responds to Los Angeles County and Ventura County Wildfires

SACRAMENTO, CA - On January 7, 2025, California Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for the Los Angeles County and Ventura County fires. The California Arts Council (CAC) acknowledges this horrific disaster devastating our communities and we will work closely with our state, federal, local private and public partners and local arts agencies to support all impacted by the ongoing fires with access to resources and information. The CAC is with you.

With Governor Newsom's immediate action, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration on January 8, 2025, which makes federal assistance available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County. In addition to federal assistance, the CAC has compiled a list of resources below for nonprofit organizations and creatives. Please visit our Disaster Relief and Emergency Preparedness webpage for a list of resources that will be continuously monitored and updated.

This unprecedented disaster is active and its full magnitude coming into focus. Mitigating loss of life - human, plant, and animal life - is our first priority. We urge all residents to continue to heed evacuation orders and support each other during this unprecedented crisis.

"The CAC is coordinating with our partners in the Governors' Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER), the Los Angeles Department of Arts and Culture, Californians for the Arts and Arts for LA to ensure our arts and cultural sector has access to resources to rebuild and recover," said CAC Executive Director Brazell. "Our staff are also working diligently to assess any and all potential direct impacts to our grantees and their activities, with additional communication forthcoming to support and address any needs to that end as soon as possible."

The CAC understands how critical immediate response is to California's arts and culture communities, and we are also deeply committed to long term recovery efforts to support the preservation of and healing to our communities. "The devastation that has left Los Angeles decimated, has also left iconic arts installations and institutions ruin. As with many residents, local artists have suffered through this mass destruction. The CAC is here to support those affected," said California Arts Council Chair. "Our hearts are with you, Los Angeles."

Immediate resources are included below. Additional resources can be found on the CAC Disaster Relief and Emergency Preparedness webpage, with regular updates made as they become available.

National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) - Arts-specific emergency resources.

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) - Serving craft artists through emergency relief, preparedness, education + advocacy.

FEMA Disaster Assistance - California Wildfires - Disaster #DR-4856-CA - For information on how to apply for assistance and receive immediate help.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds in California.

Employment Development Department (EDD) - The one-week waiting period is waived for regular unemployment claims impacted by Los Angeles County fires.

EDD Disaster Assistance - For all EDD disaster-related services including submitting for unemployment.

California Office of Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) - For small business and nonprofit technical assistance and resources.

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) - For small business and nonprofit disaster relief loan guarantees.

California Department of Insurance (CDI) - Explore insurance-related resources and assistance for wildfire victims.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) - Monitor wildfire status, response updates, and recovery guidance.

Emergency - County of Los Angeles - Access emergency services and updates from Los Angeles County.

Greater Los Angeles Wildfires (211LA) - Find local resources and support for recovery efforts.

Disaster assistance resources may be subject to eligibility.

# # #

The California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. It supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. The California Arts Council envisions a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Roxanne Messina Captor, Chair; Leah Goodwin, Vice Chair; Gerald Clarke; Caleb Duarte; Vicki Estrada; Roy Hirabayashi; Alex Israel; Dorka Keehn; Phil Mercado; Nicola Miner; and Olivia Raynor. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

The California Arts Council is committed to increasing the accessibility of its online content. For language and accessibility assistance, visit https://arts.ca.gov/about/about-us/language-communications-assistance. To read this announcement in Spanish, please use the website's Google Translate tool by clicking the "Translate" link in the upper righthand corner of this page.

El Consejo de las Artes de California se compromete a aumentar la accesibilidad de sus contenidos en línea. Para obtener ayuda con el idioma y la accesibilidad, visite https://arts.ca.gov/about/about-us/language-communications-assistance. Para leer este anuncio en español, utilice la herramienta Google Translate del sitio web haciendo clic en el enlace "Traducir" situado en la esquina superior derecha de esta página.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.