Commissioning a work of art or craft can be an exciting adventure that involves considerable interaction with the artist(s). However, the process is fraught with potential conflict due to differing understandings and expectations by each party. NAVA recommends that both commissioners and artists read the NAVA Code of Practice before undertaking a commission.
The Arts Law Centre of Australia has a Design and Commission draft agreement which can be purchased.
Agents and gallery dealers may be able to help with some or all stages of the process, including locating artists, negotiating a contract or letter of agreement, and managing the process to final completion. In addition, Artworkers in Queensland and Artsource in WA both act as a commissioning intermediary between artists and commissioners. A fee usually is charged for this service.
NAVA Resources: Commissioning: Public Art Commissioning and Special Purpose Commissioning. Chapter 2 of the
NAVA Code of Practice, 2nd edition, 2004.
ISBN 0 9751929 0 6.
Read the Chapter. Buy the full publication. 
