ACL5241: Financial Management for Arts Nonprofits, Community Organizations, and Artists

This course introduces students to concepts and applications of financial management and leadership practices with a specific focus on nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The goal of the course is to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of the central responsibilities of financial management and leadership to equip students to use financial information, identify business models, and employ a financial lens for planning and decisions. Focus will be on the fundamentals of budgeting and accounting, interpretation of financial statements, data, and procedures for operational forecasts, as well as the fiduciary responsibilities of nonprofit boards. This course is designed for individuals working within arts nonprofits or community organizations, considering a career in the arts, or interested in learning more about nonprofit financial management principles. Individuals interested in financial sustainability as individual artists or cultural leaders will also benefit from this foundation in financial best practices. The goal of the course is to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of the central responsibilities of solid financial management to benefit arts, cultural, and/or community organizations and the sector as a whole. Students will have the opportunity to apply what is learned to a case study organization.

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