Commission a work of art

On 08.28.09, In Art Resources, by admin

To own a piece of art is a pleasurable and enjoyable experience. You may have previously purchased art but you have been unsuccessful in finding that right piece. If so, why not commission a work direct from an artist. Commissioning an artist to produce a work of art can be highly rewarding for both parties.

The work is personal and unique, it will be specifically produced for you and your requirements, and you get to build a relationship with the artist(s). Each commission will vary slightly in the steps taken from conception through to completion, as each commissioner, artist, situation and circumstance is unique.

To assist you through the process we have outlined some basic guidelines to commission a work of art.

Developing your brief

The brief is a document that essentially records all of your thoughts and ideas on paper and is an important part of the commission process as it establishes exactly what you want. It can also be used as a point of reference when discussing the commission with the artist, for the artist to refer back to, and as a means to set out a contractual agreement. Highlighted below are some key points you should take into account or use as a guideline when writing a brief.

Who or what is the work for? Is it for your home? Is it a gift?

Are there any constraints or special requirements? Think about dimensions of the work, the space where the work will go, the function of the work, any materials to be used?

What are you looking for? What kind of artwork do you like, do you prefer a particular style?

Whats your budget? Does this include installation and delivery?

Do your research

By searching and browsing through the art web sites like Wonder Art you can start to establish what kind of work you like. You can also try to find examples of previously commissioned work, which will give you an idea of costs.

You should add the artists you like in your ‘favourites’ list.

At this point you should submit your art request in the ‘Wanted’ Section of Wonder Art and give artists the opportunity to provide you examples of their work. This is useful for 2 reasons:

You may get exposure to a broader range of artists and artwork
You may be lucky enough to match with your favourite artist

Make contact with some artist

Once you have a list of artists and work that you like, you should make contact with some of the artists, arrange to meet with them, visit their studio or go see their work in a gallery. Discussing the commission with the artist offers the opportunity for you to learn from their specialist knowledge and to agree on the direction the work will take.

To help you, Wonder Art provides a private messaging service to all it’s members.

Making an agreement

If you are happy to go-ahead with your chosen artist, you will need to finalise the brief ensuring you agree with the artist the materials the work is to be constructed from, the timescale and the cost, all of which should be noted. Both commissioner and artist should have a copy of the final brief to refer back to. Commissioning a project is made easier when the roles and responsibilities of the participants are formalised. For smaller commissions, letters exchanged between both parties can act as a binding contract. An artist may have a standard contract that they wish to use when agreeing a commission.

For all commissions on a medium to large scale it is recommended a solicitor draw up a legally binding contract to protect both the commissioner and the artist.

Other points to consider

Origination – do you want the artist to produce any sketches or models for your consideration before the making of the artwork commences?

Fee - you need to agree a payment structure. You may wish to make payments based on the artist achieving certain milestones outlined in your brief. Normal practice is to pay one-third upon agreeing the commission, a second payment mid way through the process and the final payment on completion and delivery of the artwork.

Fabrication – ensure the agreement clearly states who will pay for the materials and any other fabrication costs eg if part of the production will be handled by a third party.

Delivery – who is responsible for the delivery of the artwork? Are there any special delivery requirements? Who is responsible for insuring the artwork whilst in transit? What are the costs and who pays for delivery?

Installation – will the artwork you are commissioning require installing? If so who will do this? Installation may be carried out by the artist and/or a technician. Discuss this with the artist in advance and agree any potential costs.

Timescale – agree a timescale for the completion of the commission.

Maintenance – does the artwork require any ongoing maintenance? What measure do you need to take (if any) to ensure the artwork remains in good condition?

Ownership & moral rights – under copyright laws the artist possesses first ownership of a work of art they themselves have created. You need to agree in advance with the artist the ownership and copyright of the artwork.

Reviewing progress

A review is recommended to ensure both yourself and the artist are satisfied with the progress and direction of the commission. The number of meetings required will depend upon the size and scale of the commission.

Completion

Upon installation or receipt of the commission it is important you immediately examine the work carefully, as it may have incurred damage in transit. It can become complicated in proving damage after receipt if left for a period of time.

It is worthwhile meeting or contacting the artist following completion so that you can exchange feedback on the success of the commission. Discussing the commission is of mutual benefit and could aid the progress and ease of future commissions for both yourself and the artist.

Enjoy

What ever your reason for commissioning a piece of art, be sure to show it off to friends and associates. Take pride in your personal and unique artwork.