Financial Clarity for Creative Sustainability with C. Lorenzo Evans III

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Great artistic work benefits greatly from financial clarity and shared understanding across an organization. This session with financial expert C. Lorenzo Evans III brings together arts and culture leaders at all levels to explore how financial statements, cash flow, key performance indicators, and economic conditions shape an organization’s ability to do its best work. Designed for managers, staff, artists, and grant awardees alike, the session reframes finance as a practical, accessible tool that supports transparency, sustainability, and informed decision-making. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how financial planning and honest budgeting strengthens organizations, supports programs, and creates the stability needed for meaningful creative impact.

Topics covered will include:

1. Demystifying Finance – Finance as a tool for sustainability
2. Financial Statements – All of the important information needed for effective leadership
3. Cash Flow – Funding the mission (also, emergency funding, rainy day funding, etc.)
4. Key Performance Indicators – What numbers & matter to your organization?
5. Economic Impacts – Key economic factors that impact arts organizations
6. Financial Planning – Wholistic budgeting – more than just the numbers.

REGISTER

ArtsFund is pleased to host one 60-minute follow-up office hour session for drop-in attendance. This session is intended to be an unstructured conversation, guided by your questions. Attend to ask your specific questions and learn from C. Lorenzo Evans III and your peers. Please note that attendance at the Financial Clarity for Creative Sustainability workshop is not required to join this unstructured conversation, but having at least watched the recording of the session in advance of the office hours will help ensure we can make the best use of that time. 

When?

▪ Office Hours Session: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ( ASL interpretation will be provided during this session to ensure accessibility for all participants)

REGISTER

ASL Interpretation

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There is space on the registration form to indicate any accessibility features needed to participate. You can also email Programs Coordinator Naunica Hull (naunicahull@artsfund.org) for additional needs.

C. Lorenzo Evans III

C. Lorenzo Evans III, MBA, is a visionary finance executive and lecturer with over 15 years of accounting and financial management experience. With a deep commitment to the intersection of financial management and education, Evans’ work leverages his expertise to increase financial literacy and financial management competencies in both business and academic sectors. As a finance executive and consultant, Mr. Evans has transformed the financial operations of such organizations as Westfield Corporation, the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Maryland (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center), Washington Performing Arts Society, and a host of others. A dynamic educator and subject matter expert, Evans has served as a lecturer, professor, and curriculum developer for such organizations as American University, National Arts Strategies – University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Westminster. In addition, Evans has led talks on financial management, entrepreneurship, and business development in partnership with organizations worldwide. Recognized by DC Modern Luxury Magazine as a “Top Innovator” in 2021, Evans is an entrepreneur and the proud founder of CLE Business Services, a consulting firm dedicated to education and business solutions for businesses of all sizes and types.

ArtsFund supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking in order to build a healthy, equitable, and creative Washington. Over its grantmaking history, ArtsFund has supported more than 650 arts organizations with more than $115 million in grants and championed leadership and advocacy for the cultural sector through programs such as Board Leadership Training, the Cultural Partners Network, and Building for the Arts capital funding. Join us and learn more at www.artsfund.org.