BAARN CLASSES & RESOURCES

When a crisis hits, what do you need to be able to do? Act quickly. Evacuate safely. Keep yourself and your people safe. Protect your artwork. Get connected to trusted expertise. Keep your practice and operations going. Manage your emotional and mental health. Get help. Help others.

You don’t need to figure this out alone. BAARN, the Bay Area Arts Readiness Network, has launched to provide free resources, training and information to help artists and artist-run organizations become more prepared and resilient. Designed specifically for the risks artists face, BAARN offerings are built to fit into busy schedules, and address challenges ranging from natural disasters and data crashes to event cancellations, water leaks, building damage, and threats to artwork, instruments and digital assets. Whether you work solo or with a team, in a physical venue or from home, preparedness helps protect what you’ve worked so hard to create. BAARN is supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Why now?

Don’t wait until that crisis happens. In an increasingly uncertain world, taking simple steps now can make a big difference when a disruption occurs or a sudden emergency hits.

How?

BAARN Classes - one or two offerings each month, free and on-demand, plus hands-on training. The Basics track gives you a foundation in readiness, protection strategies and insurance, business continuity, and crisis communications. The Enhanced track provides specialty curriculum including festival safety, safety and security while on tour, active shooter and hostile activity preparedness. Register now for the first two sessions:

Artist Readiness 101 - Tuesday, June 16, 1:00-2:15PM Pacific - online. Basics Track. What is a readiness plan and what does it do for you? Understand the elements of a plan, identify the pieces you likely already have in place, and find connections to your everyday work/practice.

Risk Assessment - Tuesday, June 23, 1:00-2:30PM Pacific - online. Basics Track. Learn how to identify potential risks, evaluate vulnerabilities, and take proactive steps to reduce hazards before they happen.

Resources - guides, templates and worksheets to use at your own pace, in your own space, and customizable for your discipline, scope and budget size. Launching summer 2026.

Networks - training and funding to strengthen or create local arts response networks. Launching fall 2026.

Get Ready grants - funding to protect your individual practice or operations. Launching early 2027.

Why trust BAARN?

Our team has a combined 65+ years working in arts emergency management and disaster response. Our expert faculty members come from the Bay Area and across the country. Our Local Coordinator is a California-based artist/activist and our Advisory Committee is made up of Bay Area artists, arts administrators and funders. Most importantly, we’ve interviewed and surveyed your arts colleagues in the region to develop the classes and other program elements. BAARN is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and is a project of NCAPER, the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response.

Whether you are an individual artist, performing ensemble or artist-run organization, BAARN offers practical tools, resources and guidance to support your work and protect what you’ve built.