Legal Forms
The following documents are examples of some of the types of contracts, releases and other agreements commonly used in the management of creative and cultural assets. These sample agreements are intended to help producers, artists, museums and nonprofits better understand the kinds of provisions typically included of these types of agreements. They are not intended as a substitute for consulting with an experienced attorney and receiving legal advice based on the facts and circumstances of a particular case. They also do not necessarily represent the only possible way to structure the business relationship or the range of deal terms that might be available in a particular situation.
It is important to remember that just as every transaction is unique, so is the proper structure of the agreement documenting that transaction. Rarely does a so-called “standard” or “boilerplate” legal form fit the particular needs of the parties to a transaction. When a party says their contact is “standard” what they usually mean is that it is in a format that they are accustomed to using. There is some value in starting from a common ground, but never assume that a “standard” contract is not negotiable. It is all too common for parties to employ a “standard” form agreement without carefully considering the implications of its terms or its failure to address critical issues until a dispute arises. There are those who believe that the process of negotiating the terms of agreements is tedious and is a waste of time and money – they often try to cut corners by employing “standard” forms. However, in our experience the process of careful drafting and through negotiation is as valuable (or more so) than the final product. Those who take the time to clearly discuss their expectations, and to memorialize those expectations in a written agreement, forge stronger relationships and are much less likely to find themselves in a dispute later on.
ARTISTS
- Artist-Gallery Consignment Agreement (285 kb PDF)
- Television Production Still Photographer Agreement (198 kb PDF)
PRODUCERS
- Film Production Legal Forms
- Television Production Still Photographer Agreement (257 kb PDF)
- Television Documentary Production Agreement (Consultant) (293 kb PDF)
- Television Program Development Agreement (Co-Production) (267 kb PDF)
- Television Option Agreement (269 kb PDF)
MUSEUMS
- Legal and Ethical Implications of Working with For-Profits (723 kb PDF) NEW
- Establishing Licit Markets In Antiquities (113 KB PDF) NEW
- Corporate And Foundation Exhibition Sponsorship Agreement (266 kb PDF)
- Museum Exhibit Sponsorship Agreement (336 kb PDF)
NONPROFIT
- Bylaws Of Minnesota Nonprofit (1.1 mb PDF)
- Addendum To Bylaws Of Minnesota Nonprofit Conflicts Of Interest Policy (219 kb PDF)
- Articles Of Incorporation Of Minnesota Nonprofit (204 kb PDF)