Artist commissioning for property developments
Artist commissioning for property works best when it is planned alongside the site, programme and long-term responsibilities. Set the public or resident purpose, technical information, budget headings and ownership early. This allows an artist to respond meaningfully and helps the team manage approvals, production, installation and care without treating art as a late-stage addition.
Who this is for
For developers, asset managers, regeneration teams, architects, landscape architects and place-making teams commissioning work for public realm, residential, commercial or mixed-use projects. It is also for teams inheriting a site where the art ambition exists but the brief, responsibility or route to delivery is still unclear.
The decisions that shape the commission
Decide what the work is responding to and how permanent it needs to be. Is it a marker for a new place, a reason to pause, a piece that works with a landscape, or a temporary activation while a site changes? Establish ownership, planning and landlord requirements, structural and services information, access for fabrication and installation, health and safety obligations, and the person responsible once the work is handed over.
The brief should distinguish between the artist’s fee and the costs of making and placing the work. It should also state what is fixed, where the artist has room to respond, how proposals are assessed and what approvals can reasonably be expected.
How Nonesuch can help
Nonesuch can support brief development, artist research and fit assessment, introductions, and the coordination needed to keep the artist’s intent legible as a project moves through design, approvals and production. The aim is a clear conversation between all sides, not an artist being asked to solve an undefined problem.
Core deliverables to procure
Depending on the commission, procure a written brief, site pack, selection rationale, proposal and cost plan, programme of approvals, agreement covering scope and rights, production information, installation method, handover requirements and a care plan. Not every project needs every document in the same form, but every project benefits from clarity on who owns each decision.
By Lucy Clarke, Nonesuch Works. Published 3 September 2026. Last reviewed 3 September 2026.
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.
Sources and further reading
More for commissioners
Art Programmes for Hotels and Destinations · How to Commission an Artist for a Brand or Place · What an Art Commissioning Strategy Includes · Case Study: From Brief to Artist Commission
Have a commission to discuss?
Send a short outline of the place, the ambition and the point you have reached. Nonesuch can help identify the right route into a properly structured artist collaboration. Brief us on a project. See how Nonesuch works with partners.