SECTION KEYWORDS

CARNET: Certificate of export issued under condition of the artwork’s return to the country of origin. As fee is payable and the  guarantor is obliged to lodge a value related deposit.

BUDGET PRICE: Similar to a cost estimate, though normally less specific, often being based on general rates rather than a particular sculpture project. The budget price is often useful as an initial guide for establishing basic cost allocations.

COMMERCIAL FOUNDER: A founder specialising in industrial/engineering oriented foundry work, may also be referred to as a ‘Jobbing Founder’.

COMMISSION: An artwork or design project, usually sought by and funded by a third party (ie private/public company, government agency or an individual etc.

COMMISSION AGENCY/BODY: Used throughout this website as a reference to any individual or group commissioning an artwork.

CONTRACT: A binding agreement between two or more parties.

COPYRIGHT: The legal protection of artworks, three dimensional designs and other creative endeavours for a limited period of time. Also known (together with with patents), as ‘Intellectual Property Rights’or 'IP'.

DEPOSIT: A proportion of the total fee, paid to secure goods and services. A standard practice in fine art foundries, the deposit payable on a cast work is usually in the region of 50% of the total fee, plus taxes (this may vary especailly for larger projects that may be funded by three or more stage payments). Under most circumstances, a deposit or 'advance' is returnable if work is withdrawn from the founder before production commences.

ESTIMATE: A informal guide to the cost of producing a work. More specific than a budget price, an estimate is usually based on a specific sculpture project.

FIXED BUDGET: The practice of capping a commission’s production budget by handing financial control of the project over to the artist, who in turn receives a defined payment to cover both production costs and the artist’s fee.

FIXED FEE: The practice of agreeing a fixed price with an artist for the supply or use of a design (foundry master pattern), alone. Payment to the artist of a fixed fee is normally made independent of and remains unaffected by all other considerations, such as foundry production fees or installation costs. Unlike a fixed budet, a fixed fee effectively guarantees the artist's income for a project.

INSURANCE: Personal or corporate indemnity against loss, damage, theft or third party claims etc.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP): Items subject copyright, patent and trademark legislation.

METHOD STATEMENT: Document setting out a series of procedures to be undertaken. Usually associated with the installation of art and design works on regulated construction sites.

PATENT: Legal protection of industrial designs etc. Unlike most copyrights, patent protection must be applied for.

PLANNING PERMISSION: Authorisation by a local or other statutory authority to temporarily or permanently install a structure within that authorities jurisdiction. Will often be required for the placement of sculptures and other designs in public spaces, or even within private grounds if the scale of the work exceeds designated dimensions and other criteria. See also Zoning.

QUOTATION: The firm offer of a service or goods for a stated fee. A firm foundry quotation may be adjusted under certain conditions, often applicable if the master pattern was not available for viewing at the time of costing (ie: quote 'subject to sight').

RISK ASSESSMENT: A document identifying, assessing and minimising the potential hazards in carrying out the ‘Method Statement’ (see above).

SUB CONTRACTOR: An independent operator under temporary contract to a principal contractor (esp. construction trades).

SALES TAX: Tax and duties payable on goods and services. In some countries sales tax is not always written into founders’ quotations as an inclusive sum, although a calculation is usually shown separately (or otherwise stated as ex-tax). Taxes and duties may also become payable if an artwork is exported, or imported. US - State Sales Tax, UK/Europe - Value Added Tax, Australia – General Sales Tax.

ZONING (US & other) : See Planning Permission.

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