When should I use an art commission agreement?

Use it when a client hires an artist or illustrator for a specific piece. The object and the copyright are different choices.

If the client keeps the painting, do they own the copyright?

Not unless you choose an assignment. The client can own the physical artwork while the artist keeps the copyright and grants a license.

Can I download this art commission agreement template?

Yes. Use Download .docx to get a Word file with placeholders such as [Party A] and [Effective Date]. You can edit it in Word or Google Docs, or create a filled-in version in the free contract creator (https://www.formabledocs.com/contract-creator/art-commission-agreement).

Is the sample legally binding as shown?

No. Placeholder sample text is a starting point. It becomes an agreement for your deal after you fill in the details—manually or in the free contract creator—and the parties sign.

When should I use the free contract creator instead of editing the file?

Use the free contract creator if you want guided choices for the brief, fee, revisions, copyright, and who keeps the original, without hunting through every blank yourself.

Art Commission Agreement

A commission that states who keeps the physical artwork and who owns the copyright.

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What this contract contains

Preamble and parties. Names the agreement and each party.

Commission. Describes the piece the artist will make.

The object and the copyright. When the fee is paid, the client keeps the physical piece and receives the copyright in the finished work.

Credit. Says how the artist is credited.

Portfolio. Says whether the artist may show the finished piece.

Third-party materials. Materials the artist did not create stay with their owner.

Fee. Sets the fee and when it is paid.

Cancellation. Says what happens to the fee and the work if the commission stops.

Governing law. Sets the state law that governs the art commission agreement and where disputes must be brought. Choose the jurisdiction in the creator.

General. Covers assignment limits, waiver rules, severability, entire agreement language, notices, and counterpart or electronic-signature execution language.

Signature blocks. Authorized signatory and title lines for each party, ready for wet-ink or e-signature fields.

ART COMMISSION AGREEMENT

This Art Commission Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Effective Date] (the "Effective Date"), by and between:

[Party A], a corporation ("Artist"), and

[Party B], a corporation ("Client").

The Client commissions the Artist to create the work described in this Agreement, and the Artist agrees to create it, on these terms.

1. Commission. The Artist will create [commission brief] (the "Work") in [medium]. The fee includes one round of revisions. A change that departs from the brief is extra only if both sides agree in writing.

2. The object and the copyright. Who keeps the physical object is separate from who owns the copyright. If the Work is a physical object, that object belongs to the Client when the fee is paid in full. The Artist may keep studies and unused sketches that are not the finished piece. When the fee is paid in full, the Artist assigns to the Client the copyright in the finished Work created under this Agreement. The assignment does not cover the Artist's earlier work, style, or tools.

3. Credit. The Client will credit the Artist by name when the Work is published, in a manner that fits the format, unless the Artist waives credit in writing.

4. Portfolio. The Artist may show the Work in a portfolio, an exhibition, and online after the Client first publishes it, or 30 days after delivery if the Client has not published it. The Artist will not reveal the Client's confidential information.

5. Third-party materials. If the Work includes third-party materials, those materials stay under their own rights. The Artist does not transfer a right the Artist does not hold. The Client will not supply reference material the Client has no right to use.

6. Fee. The Client will pay [fee]. No deposit is due at signing. The balance is due when the Artist delivers the Work, unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.

7. Cancellation. If the Client cancels after the Artist has started, the Client will pay for the portion of the Work completed. If the Artist has not started, neither side owes a cancellation fee.

8. Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of Delaware, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding relating to this Agreement must be instituted in the state or federal courts located in Delaware, and each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

9. General. This Agreement is the entire agreement on its subject. It may be amended only in a writing signed by the Parties, and it may be signed in counterparts, including electronic copies. If a part is unenforceable, the rest stays in effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

Artist: [Party A]

By: ________________________________

Name: [Signatory]

Title: [Title]

Client: [Party B]