Managing the financial side of a public art project can be just as creative and critical as making the work itself. This session equips artists with the tools to plan, track, and steward project funds from commission to completion. We’ll cover core skills including building detailed budgets, understanding payment schedules, navigating contracts, and anticipating hidden costs like insurance, taxes, and long-term maintenance. Participants will learn strategies for establishing systems that facilitate transparent record-keeping and effective communication with agencies and fabricators regarding financial expectations. Artists will leave with practical frameworks to keep projects on budget and on schedule while protecting their artistic vision.
Lida Venieri is the Assistant Director of Civic Art at the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Civic Art Division. She plays a key role in shaping policies and strategies that support arts and culture across LA County, while managing the division’s operational, financial, and administrative functions across a diverse range of programs and projects. Prior to her tenure in public art, Lida worked alongside art advisor Esthella Provas, known for her work with The Jumex Museum and Foundation in Mexico City. She also held positions at various Los Angeles galleries, including Diane Rosenstein, M Herrington, and Glike Gallery, where she managed exhibitions and special programming. Lida holds degrees in both Studio Arts and Business Management from Loyola Marymount University.
Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with self-employed people, especially creative and mission-driven ones. A long-time working artist herself, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, tax workshops from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight Tax podcast. Her forthcoming book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed, is the most funny and empowering tax guide you’ll ever read. Hannah is the founder of Sunlight Tax.