As we plan for natural disasters and the safety of individuals, we often neglect the institutions that capture our history and preserve memories of American life, allowing us to explore and better understand our national culture. When museums, libraries, and performing arts venues are at their most vulnerable, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) are essential responders with a responsibility to preserve and protect these invaluable resources.

Where collections have been damaged by hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters, these federal agencies can—and do—respond quickly.

These funders work in collaboration with other key federal and national organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Smithsonian Institution when disasters strike.

Regional preservation professionals supported by NEH funding were among the first on the scene when Tropical Storm Allison flooded Houston with over forty inches of rainfall in June 2001. Their response saved historic photographs, unique film footage, and regional history materials from libraries, archives, and museums. In the days after Hurricane Katrina, NEH, NEA, and IMLS joined other key agencies to conserve artifacts central to New Orleans’ vibrant culture. Years later, when Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey, these same federal agencies supported efforts to save buildings, collections, and business records from museums, galleries, performing arts organizations, and libraries, helping each rebuild and resume operations—from staging performances to providing access to rare and unique collections.

Read the source article at Lyrasis Now.