What are the negotiable conditions of a contract? What are not?

Artists should negotiate: 

• firstly, that all verbal agreements also be put in writing

• You can refuse unlimited user rights for work done under contract (name your own terms of use, including time-based rights)

• You can add clauses for political safety, including the right to take an artwork down

• You can add clauses for protections against censorship 

• You can insist that your per diem payment comes upfront, not after the work period

• You can insist on childcare 

• You can insist on free entry to your art (if not for all, than for low-income people)

• You can insist institutions contribute a fee to an organization or community group that your work has been supported by

• You can insist on professional documentation of the work and ownership of copyrights 

• You can request overview of language and communication (promotion and outreach related to our work, content and names)

• You can insist on support for visa processes  

• You can insist the institution pay all travel and food expenses during work 

Before signing a contract:

• Set expectations: against clear outcomes, “my practice is process-based with open-ended outcomes” 

• You can request overview of language and communication (promotion and outreach related to our work, content and names)

• Request one direct contact that is responsible for you 

• If you need to travel, request support for visa process  

• Insist that all verbal agreements be put in writing!