For artists
What to check before you sign an artist contract
If you have received a contract for a brand collaboration, public commission or licensing request and something feels off, it is worth slowing down before signing. Common issues include unclear scope, broad usage rights, weak payment terms, and obligations that expand quietly once a project is underway.
By Lucy Clarke, Nonesuch Works. Published .
A good review focuses on clarity and protection, not conflict: making sure the agreement reflects the work, the time involved and the long-term use of what you are making.
What to check
- Scope and deliverables
- Timeline and approval process
- Payment terms and milestones
- Usage, licensing and duration
- Intellectual property and moral rights
- Termination clauses and liabilities
- Credit and documentation expectations
What artists usually miss
Many contracts are written to protect the commissioning side. That does not make them malicious, but it does mean terms can drift unless someone tightens them.
When a review is most useful
- First-time brand collaborations
- Public commissions with multiple stakeholders
- Licensing agreements where usage is unclear
- Any project where deliverables are vague
Getting a second pair of eyes
If you have a contract and want to talk through the terms before signing, a strategy session gives you practical one-to-one support. For larger or ongoing projects, get in touch directly.
We provide strategic and commercial advice, not formal legal representation. Where specialist legal interpretation is required, independent legal counsel should be sought.
Got a fee, a contract or an offer to think through?
A strategy session is 90 minutes on your specific situation, ending in practical next steps you can act on.