How to commission an artist for a brand or place
To commission an artist for a brand or place, write a clear brief, identify practices suited to the context and agree fee, rights, approvals and delivery in writing. Give artists enough information to judge the opportunity and enough room to make a meaningful response. A focused process respects both the work and the project’s practical needs.
Who this is for
For brand, marketing, cultural and experience teams; councils and place partnerships; and agencies working on a campaign, event, launch or physical environment. It is for commissioners who want a collaboration with substance rather than a piece of artist-led decoration.
What to decide before approaching artists
Be clear about the objective, audience, site or channels, timing and the point at which the work will be seen. Define what the artist is being asked to make, what remains open for their response, and what the brand or place needs to approve. If there is usage beyond the original presentation, set out where, for how long and in what formats it may be used.
Cover artist fee, production, installation or build, travel, documentation, permissions, insurance and contingency. Scope, rights, attribution, payment schedule, cancellation and change control should be agreed in writing.
What Nonesuch can support
Nonesuch can help shape the proposition before it reaches an artist, identify practices whose work is suited to it, and hold the project detail across the commissioning side and the artist. This can include briefing, selection, introductions, coordination of approvals and delivery support where needed.
A commissioning process that respects the work
- Write a brief that explains the context, ambition, scope, budget structure and decision-makers.
- Research a small, credible group of artists rather than asking many people for speculative work.
- Give selected artists the information and time needed to respond meaningfully.
- Confirm the appointed artist’s scope, fee, rights, approvals and production responsibilities.
- Keep feedback consolidated and decisions timely while the work is developed and delivered.
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 · Artist Commissioning for Property Developments · 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.