Commission agreement
A free, simple agreement for a commissioned artwork. Fill in the blanks, change anything that doesn’t fit, and both sign and keep a copy.
Between
Artist: (blank) email / phone: (blank)
Client: (blank) email / phone: (blank)
Date: (blank)
1. The work
What: (blank)
Size, medium and materials: (blank)
Where it goes (address, wall, room): (blank)
The artist will first show (blank) sketch(es) or concept(s) for the client to approve.
2. Price and payment
Total price: $(blank) (plus sales tax if the artist charges it).
Deposit: (blank)% ($(blank)) before any work starts. It covers design time and materials and isn’t refundable once work has begun.
The rest, $(blank), is due (blank) (for example: on completion, before the work is handed over or unveiled).
Payment by (blank). Unpaid amounts are due within (blank) days of the invoice.
3. Timeline
Start: (blank) Finish: (blank). Dates move if the client asks for changes, the site isn’t ready, or weather stops outdoor work.
4. Changes
The price includes (blank) round(s) of changes at the sketch stage. Changes after the final design is approved cost $(blank) per hour or as agreed in writing.
5. Site and materials
The artist supplies materials unless agreed otherwise. The client provides safe access and gets any permission needed (landlord, condo board, city permit). Wall or surface preparation: (blank).
6. Copyright and credit
The client owns the physical artwork once it’s paid for. The artist keeps the copyright: the client may display and photograph the work, including for their own business promotion, but reproducing it on products for sale needs the artist’s written permission. The artist may photograph the work for their portfolio, and may sign it or be credited near it.
The client won’t alter or damage the work on purpose and, where reasonable, will tell the artist before removing or painting over it.
7. Cancelling
If the client cancels, the artist keeps the deposit and is paid for work done beyond it at $(blank) per hour. If the artist cancels, they refund any money not yet earned. Either side may cancel if the other doesn’t fix a serious problem within (blank) days of being told in writing.
Signed
Artist: (blank) Date: (blank)
Client: (blank) Date: (blank)
Free template from ArtistHire (artisthire.ca). General information, not legal advice; change it to fit your project. ArtistHire isn’t a party to this agreement. For fair fees, see CARFAC’s minimum fee schedule.