Artist-Agent Agreement

An Artist-Agent Agreement details the relationship of an artist and an agent where both parties are best represented.

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As an artist, selling your work might not be your first nature. That’s why hiring an agent could help get your work out there and adequately compensated.

Agents who represent artists should have expertise in the field and know how to get you the exposure leading to remuneration for both. You would create and enter into an Artist-Agent Agreement to protect both parties’ interests.

What Is an Artist-Agent Agreement?

Entering into an Artist-Agent Agreement can be beneficial to the artist in many ways. Agents usually have established connections and provide sales and publicity for the artist’s work. While it can be fascinating for both parties, the contract details should be as specific as possible.

The labor division for the artist and the agent should be clear to avoid any disputes later on. The main goal of the agreement is for the satisfaction and adequate compensation of both parties.

Other Names for Artist-Agent Agreement

Depending on your state, an Artist-Agent Agreement may also be known as:

  • Representation Agreement
  • Artist Contract
  • Artist Representative Contract
  • Artist Management Contract
  • Artist Management Form

Who Needs an Artist-Agent Agreement?

Having an Artist-Agent Agreement will give the artist time to create rather than having to market. The agent would know precisely what their duties are if they want to earn a commission.

Why Use 360 Legal Forms for Your Artist-Agent Agreement

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Create your own documents by answering our easy-to-understand questionnaires to get exactly what you need out of your Artist-Agent Agreement.

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Laws vary by location. Each document on 360 Legal Forms is customized for your state.

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All you have to do is fill out a simple questionnaire, print, and sign. No printer? No worries. You and other parties can even sign online.

How to Create an Artist-Agent Agreement with 360 Legal Forms

If you are an artist looking to find an audience for your work, hiring an agent can go a long way. The agency can be lucrative and exciting, but only if you have a fair Artist-Agent Agreement.

Let 360 Legal Forms help with our extensive library of attorney-vetted legal forms. The process is fast and easy. All you have to do is fill out our easy-to-understand questionnaire. Once complete, simply download your form as a PDF or Word document from your secure online account.

What Information Will I Need to Create My Artist-Agent Agreement?

To create your document, please provide:

  • Artist Information: The legal name of the artist and the contact information.
  • Agent Information: The legal name of the agent or agency and the current address.
  • Effective Date: The date when the agreement becomes valid.
  • Jurisdiction: Specify the state where the agreement is to be drafted and signed.
  • Term: Specify the duration of the contract.
  • Scope of Representation: Specify whether the agent will represent all of the artist’s works or just the specified works.
  • Agent’s Authority: How will the agent represent the artist.
  • Dispute Resolution Method: In a dispute, set the preferred resolution method to be attempted first, such as arbitration before litigation.
  • Signatures: Both the agent and the artist should sign the agreement.

Artist-Agent Agreement Terms

  • Artist: The party of the agreement who is the creator of the artwork.
  • Agent: The party of the deal who represents the artist’s work.
  • Commission Fee: A sum of money due to the agent for future sales, usually in a percentage.
  • Sunset Clause (or Sunset Provision): Specify if the contract terms will cease to apply at expiration.
  • Power of Attorney: An act of giving someone else the authority to act on your behalf.
  • Breach: Failure to abide by the terms of the agreement.
  • Portfolio: All of an artist’s artworks of concern.

Artist-Agent Agreement Signing Requirements

Both parties will need to sign the document to make it legally enforceable. Notarization is not necessary but can be useful to make the signatures harder to challenge in court.

What to Do with Your Artist-Agent Agreement?

After the Artist-Agent Agreement is signed, it’s customary to distribute physical copies to both parties. Another copy, digital or physical, can be filed with the agency HR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reputable agents may charge anywhere between 10% and 20%, with an average of closer to 15%. However, if you use a commercial gallery representation, this fee can go up to as high as 50% per artwork sold. Agents may also choose to charge fixed monthly fees.

It is not necessary to hire a law firm. However, if it is your first time signing such an agreement, you might want to consider doing just that. Legal assistance could guide you in the right direction and to insist on certain provisions to add to the agreement.

The "dating phase," though informal, is relatively common in the Artist-Agent relationship. This phrase refers to the period when the artist and agent work informally. A more formal "dating phase" would involve a short-term contract to see how well both parties work together before committing to a long-term contract.

As you know, oral agreements can be impossible to enforce. Having an Artist-Agent Agreement that passes legal muster will protect both parties and encourage them to put forth their best. Also, the agreement would detail what to do in the event of a breach of contract.

As an artist looking for proper representation, you must have a developed portfolio and preferably a website that showcases your work. You should only consider working with licensed agents who have prior experience working with similar artists. You may also want to ask for references and go into details about what their services entail, and beyond that, you may also want to follow through with contacting a few or all of the references first-hand.

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Applicable to all 50 states
Applicable to all 50 states

Our documents are vetted by lawyers and are applicable to all 50 states.