Cross Network Connect: Ask Arts FMS Anything About Finances
Andrea Nellis and Lucy Mallett of Arts FMS join DUSA for an open 60 min Q&A
Monday, November 30, 2026
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
Join Us Virtually
Category: Cross-Network Connect
Finances are one of the most common sources of stress in the dance field, and one of the topics people least often discuss openly. This Cross Network Connect brings members from across Dance/USA’s networks together for a candid, audience-driven conversation with Andrea Nellis and Lucy Mallett, the principals of Arts FMS. There are no slides and no set agenda. The hour is shaped entirely by your questions. Whether you lead a large company, manage a small organization, run a presenting venue, or work as an independent artist, you are welcome to ask about the financial questions you face every day.
Questions you might bring:
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How do I build a realistic budget, and how often should I revisit it?
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What should our board look for in financial reports?
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How do we manage cash flow between grant payments and earned revenue?
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When does an organization need an audit, and how do we prepare?
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How should we think about building reserves?
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What financial systems or staffing make sense at our size?
Questions can be submitted in advance when you register or asked live during the session. Advance questions may be shared anonymously. You can submit questions via Google Form: https://forms.gle/JAZv2wy9HtAPfVcS6
About the Speakers
Andrea Nellis brings more than 30 years of service in the arts and launched her consulting practice in 2014. Before that, she held financial leadership roles at several major cultural institutions, most recently as Managing Director of New York City Opera. Previously, she was General Manager and Chief Financial Officer of the Public Theater, managing day-to-day operations across seven performance spaces. She has also held positions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BAM Local Development Corporation, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Andrea holds an MFA in Theater Management from the Yale School of Drama and a BFA in Stage Management from Boston University, and has lectured in Financial Management at both the Yale School of Drama and NYU Steinhardt.
Lucy Mallett has more than 15 years of experience with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, primarily in the arts. Most recently, she served as Director of Finance & Operations for Denham Wolf, the leading real estate firm serving nonprofit performing arts in New York. Before that, she was Director of Finance & Administration for Elevator Repair Service (ERS). When Lucy moved into consulting in 2016, both ERS and Denham Wolf engaged her for their financial management and became her first clients. Lucy holds an MA in Performing Arts Administration from NYU Steinhardt and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Dance from The College of Wooster. She also studied Financial Management for Film, Advanced Nonprofit Accounting, and Real Estate Financial Analysis at the NYU School of Continuing Professional Studies.