All of you are Christ's body and each one is part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
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Resourcing Mission Office Guidance on Commissioning Artwork THE BRIEF This should set out the aims and objectives of the commission so that both parties have a clear understanding of what is to be achieved. The brief should be flexible to give the artist scope to develop his or her ideas and should include:
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THE BUDGET
The artist will need to know the budget in order to ascertain whether it is sufficient to fund the creation of a work that fulfils the requirements of the brief. It is vital that the budget is realistic, well planned and considers all potential costs, which may include:
Design fee
Most importantly, you can find out what to expect to pay by making enquiries from some of the places mentioned in part 1 and, of course, by asking the artist. Don't forget that an artist will expect to be paid for any design work, even if you do not place the commission. Design fees vary, so enquire first.
Ask to see examples of the artist's work,if possible 'in situ', otherwise photographs and slides. Take great care with any material which the artist may provide as it can be expensive and time consuming to replace lost items.
MANAGING THE PROCESS
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Finding an artist There are several commonly used selection processes, including:
* Do not have a competition on a 'no-win, no-fee' basis - this is grossly unfair. A fee should be offered to the runners-up, as well as to the selected artist. You can choose to do your own search or find an expert to guide you through the process. Depending on the complexity of the commission and the experience of either the commissioner or the artist, it may be helpful to seek specialist advice - this, of course, will add to the costs if you have a freelance consultant or agency. |
All commissions can be broken down into several stages and an agreed time scale for each stage is advisable. Each stage would normally have a fee which will be a percentage of the full commission budget. Payment on account may be required for the purchase of materials and production of samples. Staging the commission with a fee attached also allows for key points of termination should the commission go wrong. The number of stages will vary depending upon the complexity of the commission - one meeting may suffice. Getting this right will help the artist work well with other churches in the future.
STAGE 1
Initial meeting: site visit and discussion to formulate the brief and budget with artist.
Remember - the work may constitute a 'property project' requiring formal consent under Standing Orders.
STAGE 2
Second meeting: presentation of sketch ideas to church or appointed group. Discussion and agreement of brief and budget. After this meeting, a written agreement should be exchanged, either a simple letter outlining the details of the piece, stage payments and timescale or a contract should be drawn up (see also ‘The contract' below).
Again, wide consultation and mutual understanding are important.
STAGE 3
Third meeting: presentation to client of final design/design options, with full details of materials, scale, colour etc. If changes are made, they should be noted, notes exchanged and agreed. Final designs should be seen by as many church members and users as possible before final go ahead.
For a large commission the artist will expect to receive one third of the fee on agreeing to undertake the commission, to cover design work and initial expenses.
If there is likely to be a delivery charge, the church must be prepared to bear the cost. In some cases this can be quite considerable and it should include insurance during transit (large sculptures, framed wall hangings, table frontals, for example).
Some buildings and objects require fire-resistance treatment and this should be checked.
STAGE 4
Manufacture of the commissioned piece. Delivery and installation.
This should be a moment for a celebration! There should be a Dedication Service of some kind - don't forget to invite the artist!
Promotion
Artists will wish to take photographs to record site-specific pieces so that their commission can be used in further promotion of their work. Artists may also ask a client to lend work to an exhibition if appropriate.
This will also be a good advert for your church. You will want to publicise the event too.
Copyright
Although you will own the commissioned work, copyright remains with the maker, unless a licensing agreement or reproduction rights are negotiated, maybe for a future Christmas card or postcard (details should be included in the copyright agreement).
The Contract
There should be a formal contract. This could be in the form of a letter or a more complex agreement, depending upon the nature and complexity of a project. Information can be obtained from:
The Artists Information Company
1st Floor
7-15 Pink Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 5DW.
Telephone: 0191 241 8000.
http://www.a-n.co.uk
If part of a building scheme, your architect may be able to advise you further.
SOME FURTHER ADVICE ON COMMISSIONING
Members of a congregation having to explain what they believe to another is a very useful exercise! The role of the minister in guiding, but not dominating, this dialogue is crucial.
If you are intending to invite more than one artist to submit ideas, each should understand that at the outset and should realise that permission and procedures are required. They will probably not understand Methodist ways of working or even ‘church language’.
ADVICE ON MEMORIAL GIFTS
Naturally, and rightly, a work of art for a church in memory of a person attached to or supporting a local church is a very special opportunity for commissioning and needs handling carefully and pastorally.
The church needs to bear in mind that not everyone in a congregation will be able to afford a memorial gift or make a large donation, so you need to be careful to see that others are not excluded whilst more generous donors are not made to feel that their desire to give something is discouraged.
Churches have seen the value in establishing a Memorial Fund within the main church accounts so that the whole church can consider from time to time what they wish to purchase. A new keyboard, retiling the porch, floodlighting, a better noticeboard, Bibles in the pews are just a few examples of things that may be appropriate, as well as a work of art. Some churches have a Memorial Book for the names of those who are remembered by donations. This avoids too many ‘plaques' and it allows all to give of their ability and keeps everyone involved. Obviously if everyone agrees that a new window or major work is what they want, then that is fine.
There is a risk of the donors, family or friends unduly influencing what they want or going against what the church want - including the design or materials. It is very difficult if a church ends up with something that they don't really like or want or made by someone they are unhappy with, but don't really want to say anything out of love for the donor.
Similarly if proper consultation has been followed, problems are less likely.
There is value in waiting a while before an idea is pursued, and again careful consultation is advised and information needs to be shared across the congregation.
Another way is to ask for donations in memory of loved ones from the church or the wider community for something like a new window (only one person will need to know who has given what amounts).
All those who have donated can be assured that the name of their loved and remembered ones are recorded in a Memorial Book. The families and friends can all be invited to a dedication service. The names read out at the time can be a very moving experience for all concerned.
Any surplus funds after the larger item had been paid for could be used later for other things as the Church Council decide, and people may well feel it is a fund to which they could make donations.
Image information and credits:
set 3
Stained Glass, Loughton Methodist Church
Artist: Ian Carthy
Photograph: Sarah Middleton
Collage Panel, Bread & Wine Cup & Flames of the Spirit, Hornsey Methodist Church
Artist: Margaret Bacon
Sunniside Mural, County Durham
Photograph: Mary Tribe
set 4
Seasonal Altar Fall, Kingswood Methodist Church
Artist: Carole Harrison and members of Kingswood Methodist Church
Textile Wall Hanging, Timperley Methodist Church
Artist: Anne Butler Morrell
Information prepared by Revd Graham Kent, Visual Arts Consultant to Creative Arts in Methodism Forum, in association with artists including Mark Cazalet, Angela Dewar, and Lucy Pedlar. Edited by Quentin Pickard, Technical Officer at the Methodist Property Office, and Sarah Middleton, Coordinator of Creative Arts in Methodism, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR. Tel: 0207 486 5502.
See also: Creative Arts in Methodism section
Have a look at Commissioning Artwork Part 1: Early Stages
Return to Technical and Conservation Section
For further information contact: The Methodist Property Office, Resourcing Mission, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ Tel: 0161 236 5194 or Fax: 0161 236 8908
© Copyright 2003 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Reproduction of any part or the whole of this document solely for the benefit of the local managing trustees is permitted.
