Guideline 2. Artist

Issues to consider prior to engaging with a new commission.

Click on a heading below for more information or scroll down the page to read the whole guideline.

• Artists practice
• Funding
• Ability to deliver
• Management and support
• Design approach
• Working with additional fabricators and designers

Artists practice

Whether applying for an advertised commission or invited to make a proposal directly or as part of an invited shortlist, the artist should evaluate the opportunity to ensure it is appropriate to their individual work and ambitions.

Funding

The artist should consider the budget in relation to the project’s requirements and assess if it is sufficient to deliver a strong project in terms of artists’ fees and production costs.

Ability to deliver

The demands of a commission may require an artist to work with other designers and fabricators or to be part of a professional design team.

The artist should consider the demands of the commission in relation to their time commitments and experience - working in partnership with other artists or design professionals may enable a more focussed response to a brief.

Management and support

Artists will be keen to see that a reasonable support structure or project management process is in place to ensure the commission meets its aims and objectives.

Design approach

Artists may decline to engage with a project that appears over prescriptive in its brief outputs. The project should offer scope for an artist to make a unique and creative response within the parameters of the brief.

Working with additional fabricators and designers

It can be advisable for artists to team up with fabricators, engineers or other design professionals at the proposal stage or early within the design development process. This can often help in avoiding delays due to technical problems, fabrication issues or cost overruns.