3 ways to support a creative recovery from the floods

I witnessed first hand the devastation of the floods, as they swept through my town and many others in Northern NSW and South-East QLD. But there's something about the ruined books from Lismore Library that really got to me.

Many people have asked me how and where the best place to donate is. One of my local councillors, the wise Mark Swivel, advises to directly support people you know, or specific causes you care about. For me, and many of us in the culture and community sector - that's helping artists, ARIs, cultural organisations and studios.

By supporting artists and cultural causes, I believe we can assist to facilitate a creative recovery, and help with processing, healing, regeneration and innovation.

I thought I would round up a list of good causes that you may like to consider.

Arts Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Campaign

What is extremely prevalent is the magnitude of loss for the region’s independents. The Northern Rivers is home to the highest concentration of creatives outside a metro area, with artists numbering into the hundreds.

Arts Northern Rivers has launched a Flood Recovery campaign to assist these independent artists/small groups to recover from the losses through this rapid funding support to provide lifelines in recovering and maintaining careers, incomes and livelihoods in unprecedented times.?

Arts Northern Rivers has also reached out to the region's colleagues and peers to begin the task of tracking the scale of the damages. These damages are rising into the 10’s of millions in building and infrastructure alone including; Lismore Regional Gallery, The Northern Rivers Conservatorium, M-Arts (Murwillumbah), Byron School of Art, Spaghetti Circus, and so many more. Arts Northern Rivers is working with these orgs to support them in strategies for recovery.?

All assistance contributes to the imminent needs of the creative sector to start recovering from the destructive impact of flooding that inundated the region.

We are still here t-shirts

Local Lismore artists Holly Ahern and Eden Crawford-Harriman's original sculpture "In the Heart" (shown in the image above this one) was installed in 2021. Made out of recycled ABS and 3D printed, the sculpture stands in the heart of Lismore’s CBD.

The artist says, 'In The Heart was structurally tested to withstand; being hit by a sledgehammer, crashed into by a car at 50km/ph and the event of rapid floodwaters. At the time, we didn't truly believe that it would happen or that it would be this bad, or this soon. These images carry a strange and powerful sentiment that our community can and will withstand this devastation. That the heart is still here, beating.'

Fast becoming a symbol of hope amidst the devastation of the 2022 Lismore Floods, the artists are wanting to give back to the local artist community in any way that they can. Limited edition “We Are Still Here” t-shirts are available to pre-order now. I've already ordered the pink but there are a bunch of different colour if pink and red isn't your vibe!

100% of the profits from the sales of these t-shirts will go directly to supporting many local artists in Lismore, who have lost studios and years of their art practices in the 2022 floods.

It Takes a Town

Further north, It Takes a Town (ITAT) was launched on the same weekend that the devastating flooding of Cyclone Debbie hit the Murwillumbah region, in March 2017. Since launching, ITAT has become a social movement that activates the ideas, actions and goodwill of locals.

As local artist Chelle Wallace says, 'You couldn't get a more grassroots organisation for the money you donate.'

They’re seeking donations to replace essential household and school items so families can return home as soon as possible. If you’re in a position to contribute, please transfer funds to The Family Centre’s bank a/c, and mention ‘flood’ in the description. 100% of money goes directly to families and their most urgent needs.

Head to their Facebook page for details on how to donate.

The Creative Recovery Network

If you're interested in the concept of a 'creative' recovery - you need to be following the Creative Recovery Network, which is a specialist service provider and advocate for culture and the arts within the emergency management sector.

It partners with government, community service, and private sector providers who work in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

One of their priorities is to support the wellbeing of diverse communities recovering from the impact of natural disasters in regional and remote Australia - a cause I can really get behind (what we're seeing in places like Lismore is enormously challenging).

Their website has plenty of resources and their podcast, Creative Responders, discusses how the arts and creativity can support and strengthen communities as they prepare, respond and recover from the impact of disasters.?

Other good causes:

Flood relief for?@norpalismore?- Northern Rivers Performing Arts, Lismore City Hall, via norpa.org.au/flood-relief-rebuilding-norpa

Flood relief for Bundjalung rural and isolated communities, organised by @koorimailnewspaper?via gofundme.com/f/bundjalung-community-flood-relief

If you have a suggestion for other ways to support a creative recovery, do let me know!