Artist’s Guide to Public Art: From Proposal to Contract
Win proposals. Prevent scope creep before it starts. Negotiate contracts with confidence. Understand insurance.
Understand what you’re actually agreeing to-before you say yes.
This workshop comes directly from the conversations we’re already having.
Artists call us asking,
“Is this a good deal?”
“What am I missing?”
So we built the workshop most artists don’t get—until it’s too late-when the scope creep kicks in.
Public art can open extraordinary doors—larger commissions, greater visibility, and meaningful community impact.
But too often, talented artists enter the process underprepared.
Not because they lack skill—but because no one has shown them how the system actually works behind the scenes.
In this workshop, we pull back the curtain on the public art process and walk you through what really happens between:
scaling your work bigger, who pays for what and what you need afterwards
submitting a winning proposal with compelling storytelling
signing a contract that advocates for you, the artist
This is the conversation many artists wish they had before their first commission and their 5th.
AND—we walk you through a real contract!
We created this for artists who want to be more informed—and more equipped before saying yes to opportunities that shape their:
time
income
and intellectual property
Whether you’ve completed 0 or 10 public art projects—or you started in one medium and are now scaling your vision into another—this is for you.
Led by artist, curator, and host of the Female Frequency podcast, Jodie Nelson, alongside art consultant to real estate developers and artist Sara Everett, we bring over 40 years of combined experience navigating:
artist contracts
city commissions
developer partnerships
public art negotiations
We’ve seen where artists get stuck.
We know where money gets lost.
And we know how to help you avoid costly mistakes.
You’ll learn:
10 power moves to succeed in public art from contract to install to copyright
Navigating the RFQ / RFP Process so you don’t second guess yourself
Aligning with community needs & project requirements without losing your creative voice
Staying true to your artistic vision as you scale your work
Advocating for yourself on agreements - Part I so its a win-win for all
Advocating for yourself on agreements - Part 2
Working with Insurance and Budgets - who pays for what
Expectations at a Glance including Copyrights
Ideal Media: Is there one?
Invoices, Payments, Taxes: how they really work
Must do’s including storytelling and charging a fee for a design change
Before you say yes, submit, or sign
This workshop is your game-changer to no more unclear contracts, no more underpaid gigs, or feeling unsure how to ask for what you really need.
Whether you’ve completed zero or 10 public art projects—or you started in one medium and are now scaling your vision into another—this is for you.
If you want to be confident negotiating contracts, securing funding, and writing proposals that actually win, you’re in the right room.
In this workshop, we answer 10 essential How & Why’s:
➡️ Present your work with impact — Craft proposals that stand out and align with what panels are really looking for.
➡️ Ask smarter questions — Uncover hidden expectations, avoid unpaid extras, and learn who pays for what.
➡️ Negotiate like a pro — Understand real contracts, protect your rights, and stop scope creep before it drains your time, energy, and budget.
Led by 2 art consultants - revealing how to avoid costly mistakes artists make in public art.
Meet Jodie Nelson & Sara Everett
Succeed in public art from proposal to contract to copyright
Investment $297
Navigating the RFQ / RFP Process so you don’t second guess yourself
Aligning with community needs & project requirements without losing your creative voice
Staying true to your artistic vision as you scale your work
Advocating for yourself on agreements - Part I so its a win-win for all
Advocating for yourself on agreements - Part 2
Working with Insurance and Budgets - who pays for what
Expectations at a Glance including Copyrights
Ideal Media: Is there one?
Invoices, Payments, Taxes: how they really work
Must do’s including storytelling and charging a fee for a design change
PLUS a Bonus: Receive a sample contract & template for your use: a $250 value hassle free of searching counsel.
Come learn what artists are rarely taught, but absolutely need to know.
artwork: Salish Nettles, Kait Rhoads, Pacific Seas Aquarium
FAQs
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This is a self-paced, online course. The videos are available anytime, so you can watch and rewatch them on your own schedule, from anywhere.
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This course is for you if:
You've struggled to get your public art proposals selected or move past the finalist stage.
You feel overwhelmed by contracts and negotiation.
You've been caught in a project that demanded more time and resources than originally agreed.
You've always wished you could sit down with an art consultant and ask how things really work.
Perfect for artists submitting their first public art proposal, preparing for their fifth permanent installation, or even those with up to 10 public art projects under their belt.
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Yes! We’ll host live Q&A sessions on specific dates and will also be available via email for course participants.
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Due to the digital nature of this course and the intellectual property it includes, refunds are not possible. However, we are confident you will find tremendous value in the content provided.