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Lack
of Experience: |
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The
number one cause of inflated budgets is lack of experience. Has the artist
completed a commission at the scale and the budget the artist is proposing
for the required artwork? The artist needs experience in three categories:
fabrication, transportation, and installation. To validate that experience,
the commissioning agency must check references. The artist may have completed
a similar project in the past but was it completed successfully and on time?
Running overtime usually leads to running over budget. To avoid this, ask
for references, spend the time to check them out, and personally call them.
Ask for at least three references. One reference should be at least five
years old to make sure that the artwork is still ok today. And one reference
that is current to see if the artist is still performing at a high level. |
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Who
is really creating the artwork? |
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Is
the artist fabricating the project under their own supervision and direct
control, or does the artist simply turn the project over to sub-contractors
to fabricate and complete? Once it's out of the artist's control the artist
may not be able to control fabrication costs. The artist pays the sub-contractor
more to create a sculpture and does not have enough budget to solve unforeseen
problems; and they always exist in fabrication, transportation, and installation,
etc. If a sub-contractor is used to fabricate 90% of the artwork, make sure
they are qualified in creating such a work of art. Just because one can
weld doesn't make them an artist or engineer. Ask for references on the
sub-contractor and check them out. All of my artwork is done at my studio
under my direct supervision. |
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Artist
Site Visit: |
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The
artist must visit the site prior to signing the contract. The site itself
may present some unique problem in getting the artwork into the site and
in place. The site may be unsafe to put heavy equipment close to the installation
site; this could require much more extensive crane equipment that can double
or triple the installation costs. I always ask for blueprints and photographs
of the site for preliminary studies I also visit the site prior to signing
the contract. |
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Client
Studio Visit: |
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Some
one from the commissioning agency should visit the studio where the artist
is working. This visit is to ensure that the project is underway and is
structurally sound. The artwork may be visually fine as a model but structurally
unsound in its large-scale version, which means increased fabrication costs.
My studio is always open to clients. I invite them and really encourage
them to visit as well as have lunch. |
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The
Budget: |
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Make
sure the budget includes not only fabrication costs of the artwork, but
also the engineering of its foundation, crating costs of transportation
to the site, and installation costs. These need to real cost figures based
on real estimates. This is not a place to guess. Guessing will lead to,
"I guess I was wrong." Be realistic and both parties will be happy! |
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