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What an art commissioning strategy includes

An art commissioning strategy sets the purpose, governance, resources and decision route for commissioning before a project is live. It helps teams select artists fairly, define budgets and rights, and plan production, communication and care. The result is a shared framework that artists and internal stakeholders can work from with greater clarity.

Who this is for

For organisations planning a programme of commissions, a cultural strand within a development, or a first significant artist collaboration. It is useful when several internal teams need to align: brand, property, design, operations, communications, procurement and leadership.

What the strategy needs to answer

It should set out the purpose of commissioning, the audiences and places in view, the kinds of practice that may be relevant and the boundaries artists need to understand. It should name decision-makers, approval points and how artist selection will be made. It should also be honest about what the organisation can resource: time, budget, access, production capability and ongoing care.

A practical strategy covers procurement and governance as well as intent. That means a route for budgets and fees, ownership and licensing, credit, risk, insurance, permissions, accessibility, documentation and evaluation. The detail will vary by project, but leaving these matters unresolved makes an otherwise strong creative idea harder to deliver.

What Nonesuch can support

Nonesuch can help turn broad cultural or commercial ambition into a commissioning framework that an internal team and prospective artists can use. This may include defining the brief, mapping project stages, advising on artist fit, and establishing the information required for clear early conversations.

Useful outputs

• A commissioning purpose and set of principles for the programme.
• A brief template and site or context information for artists.
• A selection approach, assessment criteria and decision-making route.
• A budget framework separating artist fee, production and project costs.
• A delivery plan covering approvals, rights, production, installation and handover.
• A plan for communications, credit and how the commission will be looked after.

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.

More for commissioners

Art Programmes for Hotels and Destinations · Artist Commissioning for Property Developments · How to Commission an Artist for a Brand or Place · 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.