Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas promotes event on climate change resilience – eagletimes.com

Eagle Times Staff

MONTPELIER, Vt. — As the state continues to experience the impacts of climate change, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas promoted an upcoming “Day of Learning” event, supported by her office, on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Elks Lodge in Barre, Vt.

This event will be hosted by the Vermont Arts and Culture Disaster and Resilience Network (VACDaRN), founded in 2019 as a partnership between the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), which is a division of the Secretary of State’s office. VACDaRN offers disaster preparedness resources and training for arts and cultural institutions.

“As the effects of climate change continue to impact our state, I am very proud of the work my office does through VACDaRN,” said Copeland Hanzas. “When disasters strike, of course we focus on safety and infrastructure. It is also critical that we work to protect the arts and cultural organizations that allow our communities to not only survive but thrive.”

The event will feature a featured presentation, “Beautiful Uncertainty: How to Live (and Thrive) with Risk,” by Anna Glover, Director of Theatre Safety and Occupational Health at Yale’s Geffen School of Drama. There will be sessions on topics such as emergency planning, event safety, and equity and access in emergency response. Behind-the-scenes tours of Barre’s cultural institutions will be provided to showcase their flood mitigation efforts.

“Collaborating with VACDaRN has been instrumental in helping to protect Vermont’s cultural and artistic resources,” said Rachel Onuf, director of VSARA’s Vermont Historical Records Program. “We have truly enjoyed collaborating with our colleagues at the Vermont Arts Council as we conduct this important work.”

“While disaster planning can be an uncomfortable and difficult topic, this day is designed to empower and connect the arts and cultural sector to take specific steps to prepare and explore the ways arts and cultural activities help communities heal and recover,” said Amy Cunningham, deputy director of the Vermont Arts Council.

Secretary Copeland Hanzas encouraged artists and cultural workers, as well as staff and volunteers from arts and cultural organizations of all kinds (theaters, museums, archives, libraries, creative businesses, etc.) to attend. She also invited local and state emergency managers, municipal officials, and first responders interested in learning more about how to protect their records and work with cultural organizations in the community.