For commissioners
Art programmes for hotels and destinations
An art programme for a hotel or destination should begin with the guest experience, the character of the place and the practical conditions of each site. Define the purpose, spaces, budget and care requirements before approaching artists. That gives the commission a clear role beyond decoration and makes delivery easier to plan.
By Lucy Clarke, Nonesuch Works. Published .
Who this is for
This is for hotel owners and operators, hospitality teams, destination makers, architects, interior designers and brand teams developing a new site or reconsidering an existing one. It is particularly relevant where art needs to sit alongside an operational environment rather than be treated as decoration added at the end.
What needs deciding before you procure
Start with the purpose: arrival, orientation, dwell time, a local connection, a seasonal reason to return, or a distinctive guest experience. Then establish the spaces in scope, the intended lifespan of the work, technical constraints, access, maintenance and who will make decisions at each stage.
The procurement route should follow that thinking. A single site-specific commission needs a different brief, selection process and delivery plan from a collection, a rotating programme or a public-facing installation. Fee, fabrication, transport, installation, insurance, permissions and contingency should be visible as separate parts of the project rather than left to emerge later.
How we can help
We can help turn an initial ambition into a usable artist brief; identify practices that genuinely fit the setting; structure early conversations; and provide a project layer between commissioner, artist and delivery partners. That can include support around scope, approvals, timelines and the practical questions that affect whether an idea can be realised well. Relevant projects include Lorenzo Quinn’s Give at Rosewood London and The Claire Luxton Experience for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, both delivered by Lucy Clarke as Global Project Manager for MTArt Agency.
A practical route from idea to installation
- Define the audience, place, purpose and non-negotiables for the programme.
- Gather site information: drawings, access, finishes, services, operating hours and relevant constraints.
- Set the commissioning model and the budget headings the project needs to carry.
- Develop a focused longlist and approach artists with enough information to judge the opportunity.
- Agree scope, fee, rights, credit, approvals and responsibilities in writing before production starts.
- Plan production, installation, handover and care around the reality of the site.
Frequently asked questions
What should an artist commissioning brief include?
An artist commissioning brief should explain the purpose, site or channels, scope, budget structure, timetable, decision-makers and any technical constraints. It should distinguish what is fixed from the areas where the artist can respond.
Should an artist fee be separate from production costs?
Yes. The artist fee recognises the artist’s time and expertise, while production may include fabrication, transport, installation, permissions and insurance. Separate headings make responsibilities and changes easier to manage.
How should a commissioner select an artist?
Start with practices whose work genuinely relates to the brief, then offer enough context for a meaningful response. A proportionate selection process should state how proposals are assessed and who will make the decision.
What rights should a commissioning agreement cover?
The agreement should state ownership, permitted uses, credit, documentation and any licence for reproducing the work. GOV.UK guidance explains that copyright rights can be licensed for defined purposes.
When should production and installation be planned?
Plan production and installation while the commission is being scoped, not after the artist is appointed. Site access, approvals, suppliers, safety and handover can affect both the programme and the achievable proposal.
Related guides
Have a project or commission to discuss?
Send a short outline of the place, the ambition and the point you have reached. We support creative strategy, project direction and production oversight, with artist and cultural collaboration as a specialist capability when it is right for the idea.