Selecting, commissioning and working with artists

Selecting, commissioning and working with artists
The involvement of the artist/s should start at the earliest possible stage, particularly if you decide to commission new work. In this way the artist's vision can be fully integrated into the overall concept of the exhibition and the way it is promoted. The following is a guide to good practice in working with artists.

Artist Fees

The nationally recommended minimum rate for employing an artist is £175 per day. From this fee the artist is expected to pay tax, studio rental, equipment costs and utilities. The project budget should set a figure for material costs, fabrication, site preparation, transportation, installation, consultation, publicity, workshops/education programme and the exhibition launch. 
If you do not have a budget to commission new work, and wish to exhibit existing work, it is generally considered good practice to pay an Exhibition Right's Payment. Payment should be based on a flat rate of £250 per showing for a one-person exhibition; for a group exhibition the payment normally applicable for a one-person exhibition should be divided pro rata among the exhibitors.

Selection

When considering an artist, the artist’s CV or statement about their practice is the usual starting point in assessing their potential to meet the requirements for the exhibition.  Questions you may ask are:

• Has the artist a professional arts qualification?
• Has the artist received project funding from national or regional arts funding bodies?
• Has the artist had exhibitions in accredited public galleries or museums?
• Has the artist a track record in delivering high quality, successful art projects?
• These criteria demonstrate professional validation and references could be requested from other agencies the artist has worked for.

Artist Brief

The artist brief is pivotal in designing and delivering a quality public art scheme. A brief acts as a job description and also forms part of any future contracts. It should include the following:

• The vision - what the commissioner wants to achieve
• Aims and objectives of the commission
• The context of approach, including relevant historical, social, environmental, geographical, cultural information to aid the artists approach
• A clear description of the venue and any details of structural/weight bearing /physical characteristics
• A clear understanding of the artists’ role - for example if the commission involves running community or school workshops, or training and mentoring for less experienced artists
• A clear timetable
• A budget and what this will pay for (i.e. artist fees, travelling and other expenses, materials, consultation exercises, installation costs, insurances)
• Selection procedure, the criteria and how selection will be made
• Clear definition of project management and who makes decisions

Selection Processes

A clear and accountable process for the selection of artists' proposals needs to be established. For each project a selection panel should be established: this could include local authority arts officers, local artist and community representatives as well as individuals from your own organisation. There are several models for selecting artists - including open competition and invitation - and it is important that everyone involved is aware of the type of selection processes that has been chosen. 
Where commissions are advertised as an open competition time must be given to allow for artists to produce proposals. Be aware that national advertisements in Artists Newsletter, Crafts Magazine, Arts Council Opportunities web pages, or national newspapers can generate a large number of applications and it can be a lengthy undertaking to review all the applications in order to make a selection. These processes should always be recorded and involve the entire selection panel.

Artist Contracts

A contract between the artist and the commissioner/s is essential to protect the interests of both parties. There are many models in existence, and whilst a standard contract can be employed, it should be adapted to suit individual commissions. A standard commissioning contract should include:

• The artist brief
• Names and addresses of all involved
• Sale and ownership of work
• Fees and costs – with clear identification as to what they refer
• Insurance requirements
• Copyright responsibility
• Termination conditions
• Artists moral rights
• Commissioner’s obligations
• Removal and return of work