Funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries are sacred spaces. When grieving families walk through your doors, they are searching for comfort, reassurance, and a profound sense of dignity. The environment you provide matters.
Commission custom, tailored artwork to elevate your facility and beautifully inspire the families you serve. Cushman Signature Artwork offers oil paintings crafted to bring peace to your arrangement rooms, chapels, and viewings, while Custom Drawings add a sophisticated, reflective touch to entryways and offices.
Thoughtfully chosen art does more than decorate a wall, it acts as a quiet anchor during the difficult arrangement process, offering families a moment of solace when they need it most. As a professional colleague in death care, I design these specialized commercial commissions to deeply connect with your local community while honoring the vital, sacred work that you do. Let’s collaborate to create a lasting, meaningful installation that honors your facility's legacy.
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(Sample Agreement)
Art Commission Agreement
Project Title: [Project/Installation Name, if applicable]
Commissioned by: [Funeral Home / Cemetery / Firm Name]
Agreement Date: [Date]
1. Commission Description
This agreement outlines the terms for a commissioned artwork by Dwight Cushman for [Client Name]. The artwork will be a custom facility piece, specifically a:
[ ] Signature Oil Painting (Custom Theme)
[ ] Facility Sketch / Charcoal Study
[ ] Other: [Brief description of other custom corporate or commemorative work] ______________________________________________________________________________
2. Project Scope
Subject Matter: [Describe the subject matter in detail. For facility artwork, include regional landscapes, theme, historical landmarks, or symbolic imagery that fosters a peaceful environment for families.]
Size and Medium: [Specify desired dimensions and preferred medium (e.g., oil on canvas, framed charcoal on paper, etc.)]
Style and Composition: Provide any specific facility references or thematic inspiration.]
3. Pricing
Pricing is dependent on size, complexity, level of detail, and materials used.
Pricing Structure: [Specify the agreed-upon contract price] ____________________
Deposit: A 50% deposit of the total cost is required to commence work.
Change Orders: Changes to artwork after work has commenced will incur additional charges based on the size, complexity, detail, and materials used in the updating process.
Here is an improved, professional, and tightly polished version of your contract terms.
I’ve streamlined the language to make it sound more authoritative yet approachable, organized the details for better scannability, and added standard protective clauses for art commissions (like transit insurance and a kill fee clause for work completed past the deposit).
4. Change Orders & Revisions
Initial Development: The Client is permitted one major revision during the initial concept/sketch phase.
Post-Approval Changes: Any modifications requested after the initial concept is approved will require a written addendum and may incur additional fees billed at the Artist's current hourly rate. Work will pause and the project timeline will be adjusted until the addendum is signed and any additional fees are paid.
5. Estimated Timeline
The estimated completion date for the artwork is [Date]. This timeline is a good-faith estimate and may fluctuate based on the complexity of the piece, dried times (if applicable), and timely client feedback. The Artist will communicate any significant timeline adjustments promptly.
6. Communication & Progress Updates
Cushman Fine Art will provide regular milestones updates, including digital progress photographs, via [e.g., email / online client portal] at key stages of production.
7. Payment Schedule & Terms
Retainer: A non-refundable 50% deposit is due upon the execution of this contract to secure the commission slot and initiate work.
Final Payment: The remaining 50% balance is due immediately upon project completion and must be cleared prior to delivery or shipment of the artwork.
8. Copyright & Intellectual Property
Artist Ownership: The Artist retains full copyright and intellectual property rights to the artwork, including all preliminary sketches and concepts, in perpetuity.
Usage Rights: The Artist reserves the right to reproduce the artwork for promotional use, online portfolios, social media, grant applications, and limited-edition prints. The Client may not reproduce, alter, or commercially exploit the artwork without express written consent from the Artist.
9. Reference Materials & Preliminary Work
Client Provisions: The Client agrees to provide high-resolution, clear reference photographs by [Date] if required for the commission.
Approvals: Preliminary sketches or digital proofs will be submitted to the Client for structural and compositional approval before final production begins.
10. Shipping, Delivery, & Liability
Logistics: [Specify method, e.g., The artwork will be shipped via insured FedEx / hand-delivered by the artist].
Fees: The [Client / Artist] assumes all costs associated with packing, shipping, and transit insurance.
Liability: The Artist ensures the artwork is securely and professionally packaged. The Artist is not liable for delays, loss, or damage incurred during transit once the artwork is in the possession of the carrier. Transit insurance claims must be filed through the shipping carrier.
11. Cancellation & Termination
Deposit Forfeiture: If the Client terminates the commission for any reason, the initial 50% deposit is strictly non-refundable.
Work-in-Progress (Kill Fee): If the project is canceled after final production has commenced, the Client may be billed for a prorated percentage of the remaining balance to compensate the Artist for time and materials used up to the date of cancellation.
12. Governing Agreement
By signing below, both parties acknowledge, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions outlined in this agreement.
Client Name (Printed): ____________________________________________________
Client Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: _______________
Artist Name (Printed): Dwight Cushman, Cushman Fine Art
Artist Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: _______________