The contract term period typically ranges from 1-3 years for young artists or those just starting out. Long-term agreements, which can be 5-10 years long or longer, are usually offered to more established and accomplished musicians or those with a successful track record.
When writing a contract, you should include an introductory section that lists and defines all of the interested parties. A well-constructed contract will cover its duration and the specifics regarding the terms of the agreement between the parties.
Contracts like an artist agreement help avoid miscommunications and confusion over the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved. Artist agreements typically include availability expectations, performance markers, and licensing or ownership rights of the works created during the partnership.
To help you get started, take a look at a few basic components to include in your contract so you can better protect your art business. Client Info. Project Info and Terms. Project Timeline. Costs and Payment Terms. Itemization. Artist's Rights. Cancellation Terms. Acceptance of Agreement.
Record contracts typically state their duration as a requirement for the artist to make an initial recording within a certain time frame (often one year), followed by successive one-year (or occasionally multi-year) options to extend the contract for up to seven total albums for a total of seven years.
Managers typically receive 15% to 20% of the artist's gross earnings (before any expenses are deducted), but this figure can vary from contract to contract. For example, a manager might start at 20% and decrease his or her cut to 15% after a period of time or once the artist achieves a certain level in their career.
Ing to Boundy (2012), typically, a written contract will include: Date of agreement. Names of parties to the agreement. Preliminary clauses. Defined terms. Main contract clauses. Schedules/appendices and signature provisions (para. 5).