An artist management agreement is one of the most fundamental agreements for artists who wish to assign a manager to manage their career however, the details of these agreements can often be overwhelming and sometimes unclear. As such, it is of vital importance for both the artist and the manager to ensure they are on the same foot when it comes to establishing their obligations and expectations of one another.
What is an artist management agreement?
An artist management is an agreement between the manager (who can be either an individual or a company, and the artist(s). The agreement will set out detailed clauses which assist both the artist and the manager in defining their responsibilities, obligations and limitations.
What are the key clauses to look out for?
Term:
The term will detail how long the agreement will be in place for. The industry norm can vary from contract to contract, but the standard length is often between 3 years – 5 years. For an artist, the shorter the agreement, the better. Note this is something that can be negotiated by both the artist and the manager prior to the parties signing the agreement.
Exclusivity:
This clause will usually state that the artist will be exclusively managed by the manager. However, the manager will often manage other artists too. Artists may wish to attain whether this is the case before signing the agreement and if so, make an enquiry with the manager in respect of whether the artist will be able to get a minimum commitment of time from the manager.
Artist/ manager obligations:
Both the artist and manager obligations will state what obligations each of the parties have to each other. This clause will govern the relationship between an artist and their manager so it is of vital importance that both parties ensure that they are on the same page in respect of what their expectancies are from one another.
Commission:
The managers commissions can vary significantly from contract to contract and are usually calculated based on the artist’s gross income. It should be noted that the percentage may vary and increase/ decrease based on the monies earned by the artist. It is of upmost importance for the parties to define and make clear from the get-go in respect of what earnings are commissionable and what are not. Parties should make clear exactly what is being commissioned and how much is being commissioned prior to signing.
There are many other clauses within a management agreement that should be carefully considered before either party entering into the agreement. This is why it is always advised that you seek legal advice before signing an agreement that could potentially affect your career on a long term basis.
If you are a manager or artist and you wish to obtain any advice in relation to artist management agreements, contact Lawdit Solicitors today.
