Groundwork Grants Awardee: Morris Graves Museum of Art
Morris Graves Museum of Art (permission from Jemima Harr)
In 2024, The Morris Graves Museum of Art received an award in support of environmental monitoring equipment, disaster recovery kits, preservation supplies, and assistance with developing a disaster plan. Located in Eureka, the Museum was the first free public library in California and serves as an important cultural hub for the rural North Coast of California, preserving the rich history of North Coast arts.
Founded in 1966, The Humboldt Arts Council (HAC) committed to providing support and opportunities to the many painters, ceramists, writers, musicians, actors, dancers, poets, and cultural historians who live and work in Humboldt County. The HAC continues to support artists, programs, and organizations that preserve culture, create community, promote arts as a universal language, and stimulate the creative economy. Their principal strategy is to advance social equity through the arts by supporting artists, programs, and organizations that are emerging, under- resourced, or underrepresented. In 2000, the Humboldt Arts Council opened the doors of the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Humboldt County's only art museum and home to hundreds of inspiring works of art.
After experiencing a major roof leak and interior flooding event in January of 2023, the Museum once again faced an emergency in December 2024 when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the surrounding area of Eureka, triggering a tsunami warning. No stranger to natural disasters, they were already drafting their disaster preparedness plan with the help of the consultant provided through the Groundwork Grant. Executive Director and curator, Jemima Harr, quickly discovered that, “a plan does not need to be finalized to be effective.”
Harr found that, “the process of mapping exits, identifying roles, and discussing risks as a team transformed a (…) moment of chaos into a coordinated response.”
“Because we had already built a collective mindset, our staff was able to react effectively even without the completed document in hand,” Harr describes. “The MGMA houses irreplaceable cultural heritage, and this experience proved that disaster preparedness protects both our collection and the people who care for it. Our team’s successful coordination during a major seismic event is a testament to the power of planning. We are grateful for the support and guidance provided to us through the Groundwork Grant.”
