Safeguarding Your Art Career with Ruby Lopez Harper of CERF+ (220)

Mar 20, 2025

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Guest: Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director of CERF+

In this episode of The Art Biz, Ruby Lopez Harper, executive director for CERF+ (the Craft Emergency Relief Fund) joins host Alyson Stanfield to discuss the vital work CERF+ does to support artists before, during, and after emergencies. As CERF+ celebrates its 40th anniversary, Ruby shares the history of the organization, its spirit of mutual aid, and how it has expanded its services over the years.

Most importantly, Ruby and Alyson want to encourage artists to research, plan, and prepare in order to protect their art businesses—sharing resources to help them get started.

Take Action Today

Ruby encourages all artists to take one step today toward protecting their creative practice—whether it's backing up files, reviewing insurance, or creating an emergency plan. And most importantly, spread the word so that more artists know about CERF+ before they need it.

📖 To read more, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/safeguarding-cerfplus

Highlights

The Origins of CERF+ :: How a group of artists "passed the hat" to help their peers in times of crisis, and how that spirit continues today.
Types of Emergencies CERF+ Responds To :: From studio fires, theft, and natural disasters to medical emergencies and caregiving responsibilities.
Disaster Readiness for Artists :: Key steps artists can take to protect their work and livelihood, including insurance, backup plans, and security measures—by no means a complete list.
Why All Artists Should Care :: You must think about these things before it’s too late. Don’t believe it could never happen to you.
Funding and Grant Opportunities :: Immediate relief grants for disaster-stricken artists and the Get Ready Grant, which funds proactive measures to safeguard a studio practice.
Advocating for Your Safety :: How artists can ask the right questions about security at festivals, galleries, and exhibitions to protect their work.
CERF+ Resources You Should Know :: The Studio Protector Guide, an artist-focused insurance guide, and educational webinars to help artists prepare for unexpected challenges.
How to Support CERF+ :: From spreading awareness to donating or organizing fundraising efforts, Ruby shares how artists and art supporters can contribute.

Resources & Links

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

These episodes feature artists who have overcome low points.

Leaning Into Art to Battle Depression with David Sandum (ep. 169)

Leaning Into Creativity in Times of Pain with Rich Simmons (ep. 112)

Making Art While Grieving Loss with Jan Heaton (ep. 52)

Overcoming a Major Setback: Annie Salness (ep. 16)

📖 To read more, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/safeguarding-cerfplus

⭐️ See CERF+ resources above and follow them on Instagram and YouTube.

🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶 full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.

👉 This episode was recorded as part of the 3rd edition of Podcasthon. For one week, more than a thousand podcasts around the globe will highlight a charity of their choice. It was my pleasure to call attention to of one of my favorite organizations, CERF+ (the Craft Emergency Relief Fund), which supports artists in need. Please consider donating. You never know when you might need a hand.

⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.

~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~

This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/