Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program

Rebuilding Live through Art

The Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts (VAEA) has established the Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program to provide emergency assistance to visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, artisans, cultural organizations, and art students affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Caracas and surrounding regions.

For many artists, their studio is not only a workplace—it is the center of their creative life. The recent earthquakes have destroyed homes, studios, artworks, archives, instruments, equipment, and educational materials, leaving many members of Venezuela’s cultural community facing extraordinary hardship.

For more than three decades, VAEA has promoted cultural exchange, education, and artistic excellence between Venezuela and the United States. In moments of national tragedy, we believe that supporting artists is an essential part of rebuilding communities, preserving cultural heritage, and restoring hope.

Our Mission

The Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program seeks to provide immediate and meaningful assistance through:

• Emergency financial grants for artists and cultural workers.
• Assistance to replace damaged artistic materials, tools, and equipment.
• Support for the recovery of studios, workshops, and community cultural spaces.
• Preservation of artworks and cultural archives damaged by the disaster.
• Assistance for museums, galleries, libraries, and nonprofit cultural institutions when resources permit.
• International partnerships to promote long-term cultural recovery and resilience.

Who May Apply

Subject to available funding, assistance may be considered for:

• Professional visual artists.
• Musicians and composers.
• Writers and poets.
• Actors, dancers, and performing artists.
• Artisans and craftspeople.
• Art educators and researchers.
• Cultural organizations and nonprofit institutions.
• Students enrolled in accredited arts programs.

Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate significant earthquake-related losses and financial need.

How You Can Help

Your contribution will directly support artists whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by this disaster.

Donations will help provide:

• Emergency relief grants.
• Art supplies and professional equipment.
• Restoration and conservation assistance.
• Educational support.
• Community cultural recovery initiatives.

Every contribution—large or small—helps preserve Venezuela’s artistic heritage and enables creative voices to continue enriching society.

Partnerships

VAEA welcomes collaboration with:

• Museums
• Universities
• Cultural foundations
• Private corporations
• Government agencies
• International organizations
• Individual philanthropists

Together we can build a coordinated response that strengthens Venezuela’s cultural sector during recovery.

Transparency

VAEA is a New York-based public charity recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Foundation is committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of all donated funds. Periodic reports will summarize the program’s activities, funds distributed, partnerships established, and the impact achieved.

Join Us

Natural disasters can destroy buildings, but they cannot extinguish creativity.

By supporting the Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program, you help artists recover, preserve Venezuela’s cultural legacy, and inspire hope for future generations.

Art heals. Culture unites. Together we rebuild.

The Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts (VAEA)

Serving the arts since 1990.

For Applicants

Artists seeking assistance are invited to submit an application that includes:

• A brief essay describing how the earthquakes affected your artistic practice, studio, artworks, or livelihood.
• Your full name.
• Your artistic discipline (visual arts, music, literature, performing arts, photography, crafts, etc.).
• Contact information, including email address, telephone number, and country of residence.
• Photographs or supporting documentation of the damage, if available.

Applications will be reviewed by the VAEA Relief Committee. Assistance will be awarded based on the severity of the losses, demonstrated financial need, and the availability of funds.

For Donors

Your generosity will help artists rebuild their creative lives following one of the most devastating natural disasters to affect Venezuela’s cultural community.

VAEA estimates that approximately 200 artists will benefit from this initiative. Individual emergency grants are expected to range from US$1,200 to US$3,000, depending on each applicant’s documented needs and the funds available. Program planned to be in effect August 1, 2026 for two years until August 1, 2028

Every contribution directly supports artists in restoring their studios, replacing materials and equipment, preserving artworks, and continuing their creative work.

Together, we can help preserve Venezuela’s artistic heritage for future generations.

How to Contribute

You may support the Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program through any of the following methods:

• PayPal– Secure online donations.
• VAEA Online Donation Page – Make a tax-deductible contribution through our official website www.donatevaea.com .
• Zelle: donate@vaearts.org
• Wire Transfer Information: Please request banking instructions by emailing grants@vaearts.org

Thank you for standing with Venezuela’s artists during this time of recovery. Your support makes a lasting difference.

For additional information about the Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program, including partnership opportunities and ways to contribute, please visit https://vaearts.org/US/caracas-earthquakes-artists-relief-program/

Media Contact
Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts (VAEA)
Email: info@vaearts.org
Website: https://vaearts.org

More information for press releases

The Venezuelan American Endowment for the Arts (VAEA) launched Caracas Earthquakes Artists Relief Program, an emergency initiative created to assist visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, artisans, cultural organizations, and art students affected by the recent earthquakes in Caracas and surrounding regions.

For many artists, the loss extends beyond damaged homes and studios. Works of art, archives, musical instruments, equipment, and educational materials have been destroyed or severely damaged, threatening both individual livelihoods and Venezuela’s cultural heritage.

Founded in 1990, VAEA has worked for more than three decades to strengthen cultural ties between Venezuela and the United States through exhibitions, educational programs, grants, and international partnerships. The Foundation believes that supporting artists is an essential part of rebuilding communities after natural disasters.

The program will seek support from individuals, corporations, foundations, museums, universities, and international organizations to provide emergency grants, replace artistic materials and equipment, assist in the recovery of studios and cultural spaces, and help preserve artworks and archives damaged by the earthquake.

“Art preserves memory, strengthens communities, and inspires hope,” said Ali Cordero Casal, Founder and Chairman of VAEA. “By helping artists recover, we also help preserve the cultural identity and creative future of Venezuela.”

VAEA welcomes donations and strategic partnerships from organizations and individuals committed to supporting Venezuela’s artistic community during this critical period. Write to contact@vaearts.org or Send messages via WhatsAPP +1-212-3070087