If the gallery you want to work with doesn`t sign a contract, we recommend getting at least a list of things you`re responsible for as an artist and what the gallery is responsible for. Set up a meeting with the gallery and ask them to clarify both responsibilities. Write them all. Then, send this list with a cover letter and ask the gallery to review the lists (depending on your conversation on (on what date and where). Also ask to notify you in writing if any of the agreements are incorrect. Essentially, what you get out of it is an agreement. An agreement or contract is the legal document between an artist or the owner of an artwork and a borrowing institution, or between an exhibition organizer and the host venue. Payment and instalments: the agreed price of the commission, what it covers, when and how it is paid to the artist. For example, it is typical for the artist to receive fifty percent at the conclusion of the contract and fifty percent when the project is completed. Termination. Surprisingly, many contracts do not have a termination clause. This can put your rights on hold or become an expensive expense if you ever have to terminate an agreement. So always make sure you understand how to cancel the contract and how much notice you need to adherto.

Also note that the inclusion of a “healing period” may require you to give the other party a certain amount of time to remedy a breach before you can terminate the contract. A consignment contract is a contract between an artist and a gallery in which the artist – sometimes similar to a loan – makes a work of art available to the gallery, often for a period of time. As part of a consignment contract, the work is usually made available free of charge by the artist. And if the gallery sells the work during the pickup, it receives a commission on the sale (usually around 50%). If the work is not sold within a certain period, it may be returned to the artist. Such agreements between the artist and the gallery may be concluded once, temporarily or on a longer-term basis. Booking agencies help artists find and get more bookings for concerts and shows. The mediation contract then defines the modalities of cooperation between the agent and the artist, determines the duration of the document and the remuneration of the agent. In this article, we`ve covered some of the most common contracts and deals you may encounter in the music industry. They are all incredibly important to you as a musician and it is important that you read them carefully before signing them. Most importantly, however, you are completely confident and confident about your professional needs and ambitions.

Keep in mind that a long-term contractual commitment is very difficult to change or terminate once signed. When planning an exhibition, whether temporary or itinerant, it is important to have a written agreement or contract with contributing organizations, artists and organizers. There are organizations that provide pro bono or pro bono legal services for art-related matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts. These services are not necessarily free, as membership fees or administrative fees may apply depending on the organization. However, these are likely inexpensive options. Editor`s note: This advice article was created in the run-up to the Art World Conference, which promotes artists` empowerment and financial literacy. Different types of contracts come into play for artists who work professionally, whether it`s performing in the gallery, receiving commissions or funding, selling a work of art, or lending a work for a temporary exhibition. Did you know that Symphonic, in partnership with Music Law Contracts (UK), offers a service to offer a variety of legal contracts for sale at competitive prices that won`t break the bank? We have contracts for different types of situations and business relationships, each of which can be processed via PDF and / or Word. Not to mention, this includes all the contracts we discussed in this article and many more. Here are the largest and most common deals you`re likely to make in the future: Here`s a breakdown of (some) common types of contracts and deals you might encounter throughout your artistic career. Negotiate your pay cut. The commission due to the gallery is always negotiable.

The typical percentage the gallery receives is either a 50/50 split between the artist and the gallery, or a 60% split of the artist and 40% of the gallery. Remember not to give the gallery a commission of more than 50%. Music production contracts are traditionally concluded between producers and production companies or sound engineers and the record companies or artists with whom they work. Producers are responsible for the production process, recording and style of studio recordings, and a production contract governs their responsibilities and associated compensation. This compensation is usually granted in the form of a one-off payment and/or profit-sharing in the form of royalties. When a production contract is signed between producers and artists, producers often play the role of investors who believe in a particular act and attempt to sell the artist to a record company after producing successful recordings. These are the most common opportunities for artists to make money outside of selling their works. This agreement is used when an artist grants a license to another person or company that gives them permission to use the artist`s work for advertising or commercial purposes, usually for a certain period of time. Here, the artist is referred to as the “licensor” and the client as the “licensee”.

Now that you know about the contracts and the rights they give you and publishers, you can move on to the first big thing in your life.