Commissioning and Funding

Commissioning New Work (Non Acquisition)

Summary of Good Practice Recommendations

Commissioning organisations have a responsibility for:

  • pitching fees, artist fees, production fees and any costs associated with the artwork production, fabrication, freight and presentation

  • grant writing/acquittal and general administration 

  • providing clear brief and specifications for the work

  • ensuring requests to revise or change the artwork are reasonable, are focused on ensuring that the work complies with the brief and respects the artistic and cultural integrity of the artist's work

  • accessibility and safety of the space, see Access Rights for d/Deaf and Disabled People and Workplace Health and Safety

  • risk assessments and force majeure planning

  • marketing and publicity 

  • presentation costs and organisation, including community consultation work, cultural policy development 

  • Welcome and/or Acknowledgements of Country

  • care for the artwork from freight and install to de-install and dispersal/storage

  • documentation of the artwork, with copies provided to the artist/s

Artists have a responsibility for:

  • conceptual development and artistic vision for the artwork

  • reasonable compliance with any brief, scope of work or required specifications

  • cultural consultation related to the work 

  • considering, communicating and where possible, ensuring accessibility of the artwork

  • advising commissioning bodies if special equipment or consideration is required to install, invigilate or de-install and store the artwork

  • oversight of fabrication of the artwork, ensuring the artistic vision and material realisation are compatible

  • providing images and information about the artwork 

Agreements should outline:

  • budgets and fees (including commission and licence fees)

  • detail of licence terms

  • size and scale of the commission

  • the brief and any specifications, including consultation requirements

  • roles and responsibilities

  • timelines and reasonable review stages

  • contingency arrangements

  • installation and de-installation arrangements

  • insurances, see Insurances

  • attributions

  • freight and storage

  • dispute resolution, see Grievances and Dispute Resolution