Gallery and exhibition contracts - security for artists and galleries

Cooperation between artists and galleries thrives on mutual trust: Artists expect a professional presentation and marketing of their works, galleries invest time, space and money in exhibitions, advertising and customer contacts. In order for both sides to work together successfully in the long term, clear agreements are needed.

A gallery contract or exhibition contract regulates the rights and obligations:

• Which works are exhibited or distributed?
• Which tasks does the gallery take over - from exhibition and storage to catalogs and public relations?
• How the sale is organized - on a commission basis, with option rights or exclusively?
• What remuneration is the artist entitled to and what commission does the gallery receive?
• Which copyright rules apply, for example in the case of reproductions or online presentations?

Well-drafted contracts create legal certainty, avoid conflicts and give both sides the freedom to concentrate on the essentials: the art and its communication to an audience.

For practical use: Sample contract and checklist as a guide

In order to answer the content-related questions of collaboration between artists and galleries tangible you will find a sample gallery contract below. It shows how the key legal points - from remuneration and copyrights to duration and exclusivity - can be set out in a written agreement.

Since Each individual case has special requirements entails, this sample does not replace individual advice.

A checklist is therefore also used for the practical preparation of concluding a contract. It helps you to systematically go through the relevant aspects and make the necessary decisions for the specific contract.