Artists Agent

Does an Artist Really Need An Agent?

Quick answer: “No!”

Smart answer: “Maybe. Depends”!

Ask yourself a few questions:

• do you have the time to make art AND find someone to license it?
• do you know who to contact to license your art?
• do you enjoy selling?
• do you understand the basic concepts of a licensing contract (term, territory, product use, fees, payment terms, rights granted, personal liabilities, artmasters, royalties vs. flat fee — and more)?
• do you know how to negotiate the best fee?
• do you understand all the technical aspects needed to prepare your art for the manufacturer; should you pay for a 4×5 transparency or should you get a high resolution scan?
• will you do it all; can you do it all?

Need help making sense of all this? Check out “Artists Consult” at: artistsconsult.com

What Can An Agent Do For An Artist?

The licensing industry continues to grow both in the US and internationaly. The downside to licensing for the manufacturer can be late delivery or poor quality artmasters from the artist. The downside to licensing for the artist can be contractual problems. In many instances, manufacturers are more comfortable dealing with an agent who they know will handle artmaster quality and delivery issues.

If you do not have an agent who is knowledgeable about contracts, then seek the services of an attorney before entering into a relationship with a third party. The licensing experience should be beneficial and enjoyable to all the participants.

Advantages of having an agent

• An agent has far greater expertise and experience in the industry than most artists.
• An agent has many connections with licensees. As an artist, if you are with a good agent, you stand a far better chance of having your work seen by manufacturers.
• Agents are likely to get higher fees for you. They understand what value the art has to the licensee. They are often more skilled in negotiating.
• Agents can help you fine-tune your projects and offer art direction and ideas to pursue.

Agents vary considerably from one-person companies to small businesses with up to half a dozen staff, to large companies who have overseas connections handling art and design, entertainment properties and brand licensing. Choose an agent who has experience and who has been in business a few years so that s/he already has a good number of licensees as clients.

Are You Ready For An Agent?

Keep in mind when submitting art, that an agent expects a professional demeanor from the artist. In this situation, a well prepared and professionally presented portfolio is just as important as the quality of the art itself.

Why? Because there is a lot of very good art available. Your presentation gives a good clue as to how the agent will be able to work with you.

Remember, the agent spent years nurturing his licensee clients. The last thing he or she wants to happen is to let a licensee down due to late delivery or substandard artwork/artmaster.

View ArtVisions fine art licensing web site to get an idea of how art might be presented to potential licensees:
ArtVisions.Com

NOTE: ARTVISIONS IS NOT CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR NEW ARTISTS.

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