Contracts and agreements

See contracts by Linda Scales on VAI.

A contract is a legal agreement between the artist and the commissioner. It is there to give protection to both parties and sets out the terms and conditions for the commission. The artist should be happy with all items of the contract before signing any agreement. The contract will generally confirm/agree time frame for project and deadlines for realisation; budgets and payment schedules, specify what the artist has agreed to undertake, make/ give and their responsibilities, specify what the commissioner can expect to receive. It addresses issues of ownership and copyright, health and safety agreements and insurances. It also can ask the artist to provide specific information e.g. a maintenance schedule and address responsibilities in the case of repair, damage and neglect.

Logos and branding

Logos and branding have become increasingly important components of culture and the economy. They are tied into image and identity of an organisation and support easy recognition and the associating values of an organisation. They are tool to support the organisation (brand owner) in communication with their consumer/audience. The brand becomes an extension of the company's, organisation, culture, product or service and ethos. 

In artwork funded through public or private bodies, the work and its associated  books, catalogues, cd's, dvd's, promotional material etc, will be expected to include the funding agency's, logo and branding. Often this is straight forward - a small logo at the back of a book or at the corner of a cd. However, in some cases the expectation to carry logos and brand can cause conflict or distraction from artistic ambition. It is important to consider and negotiate this at contract stage or discuss it as it arises.