Arts and Cultural Institutions

Arts and cultural institutions and properties encompass a wide range of spaces that support and promote the arts, including museums, galleries, theaters, opera houses, libraries, and cultural centers. Within these spaces, visitors can find an array of artifacts and objects, both transient (e.g., performances, costumes, props, etc.) and permanent (e.g., collections, historical artifacts, archives, monuments, etc.). Arts and cultural institutions are vital custodians of our nation’s and our communities’ heritage and entertainment. They preserve meaningful, culturally significant resources for the public and future generations.

If located in flood-prone areas, the buildings in which these institutions are housed and their contents may be at risk of flooding. Arts and cultural institutions are responsible for ensuring the safety of their staff and visitors, as well as protecting their buildings and minimizing risk of damage to their collections, etc. Caretakers, managers, or owners of a cultural property or institution can use this website to find out how to assess their flood risk; develop disaster preparedness and emergency response plans; learn about their mitigation options; know what to do before, during, and after a flood; and identify potential funding sources for mitigation projects.

Linked below and in each tab are resources and organizations who support different types of cultural institutions in recovery from a disaster. It is important to keep in mind that no matter how valuable a collection, safety is a higher priority than protecting property.