How much does a commissioned sculpture cost?
A kiln-fired figure can be ready in a couple of months, while a cast bronze often takes most of a year. Large public sculpture budgets in Canadian calls often run from $50,000 into the hundreds of thousands, all costs included.
Material, cost and wait
| Material | Typical cost | Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Clay or ceramic | $300 to $4,000 | 1 to 3 months |
| Wood | $500 to $8,000 | 1 to 4 months |
| Steel | $2,000 to $25,000 | 2 to 6 months |
| Stone | $3,000 to $30,000 | 3 to 9 months |
| Bronze | $5,000 to $80,000 | 6 to 12 months |
Getting it from studio to site
Drying, kiln firing, foundry queues and stone supply all take time you cannot rush. Ask what is included beyond the artwork itself.
- Base, footings and anchoring.
- Crating, trucking and a crane or crew.
- Insurance, and permits for public land.
Example: a $12,000 steel piece may need another $1,000 to $3,000 to move and set.
Plan for the long wait
Ask for a small model first and a schedule with dates for each stage. Expect a deposit up front, payments tied to milestones, and a written agreement that says who pays for delivery, installation and repairs.
Typical ranges to help you plan, not quotes: every artist sets their own price. Posting a call is free. Seeing who replied: $29; no commission.