who can help you save a site

To supplement our suggested list of questions you should be prepared to answer prior to preserving a site, following is a list of individuals and organizations both at the local and state levels that you should contact. Select those individuals and organizations that are most applicable to the particular needs of the artist and the site. Contact with the first group listed should be initiated immediately. Above all, do not be overwhelmed. Retain your sense of humor and perseverance. Letters of support from any of these individuals and organizations will help obtain recognition for the artist and promote preservation of the site:

1. Local Service Organizations and Resources - contact immediately

• Certain groups wield political and economic power: arts service organizations could act as advocates, and are also attractive because they have their own accountants and lawyers; historic preservationists can provide expert advice; the Chamber of Commerce, an amalgam of local businessmen, could also be a funding source; celebrities, responsible politicians including the Mayor, City Councilmembers, County Government personnel and other public figures can serve as eloquent and powerful spokespersons
• Some of the most fruitful outlets for advertising the needs of the artist and the environment are the media, including publications (local newspapers; statewide magazines), television and radio stations
• Local universities and/or community colleges potentially provide contact persons in departments such as architecture (where one could find someone to draw a site plan), art, folklore, or geography
• Other organizations are sources of prospective volunteers: churches; special interest groups (e.g. the Boy Scouts, Foxfire, Grey Panthers) as support networks; other service organizations (e.g. Civilian Conservation Corps)
• Local businesses, foundations, and corporations may be interested in funding local, state, or national projects
• For ongoing site maintenance, construction trade workers can estimate the cost of restoration and/or the extent of structural damage, or perhaps restore the site (verify their qualifications: certification is required of private contractors hired by State to work on a cultural resource).

2. State and Federal Government The support of these politically powerful individuals can only help hasten the restoration and preservation of an environment: the Governor; Secretary of State; State Senators; and local Congresspersons.

3. State Government Offices and Arts Agencies These offices and agencies could help pinpoint individuals and/or documentation assisting preservation efforts: the State Chamber of Commerce; Department of Tourism; Library and Archives; Department of Parks and Recreation; Museums; Historical Preservation organizations; Architectural associations; and Folklore/Folklife Departments.

4. Other In the longer term you may want to contact local and county libraries that may serve as resources for, or repositories of a site archive; museums/galleries/art centers; and individuals with site documentation (slides; photographs; tapes; and other unpublished material).