Arts Disaster and Crisis Preparedness Conference 2026

Performing artists and organizations are navigating an increasingly complex landscape—balancing creative work with
financial uncertainty, leadership transitions, and unexpected disruptions/disasters. These disruptions extend beyond natural or man-made disasters and include anything that interrupts an artist’s or organization’s ability to function,  create, and sustain their work.


Prepared to Thrive: Building Performing Arts Resilience On and Off the Stage is a facilitated roundtable designed to create space for honest dialogue, shared experiences, and collective problem-solving across disciplines. Grounded in national best practices from the Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) initiative and informed by Carol Foster’s extensive field experience, this session reframes emergency preparedness as a tool for resilience, sustainability, and cultural preservation.


Participants will actively contribute to the conversation—sharing challenges, strategies, and lessons learned—while gaining practical tools to strengthen preparedness and continuity across a range of performing arts practices.