Sculptor for public and corporate commissions

Local councils, property developers, architects, landscape designers, schools, corporate clients and wealthy private collectors.

Commission fees per project, usually paid in stages (deposit, milestones, completion). Some income may also come from smaller works, workshops and design fees.

• Experience with durable materials such as steel, bronze, stone or concrete
• Project management and costing
• Writing proposals and presenting concepts
• Working with architects, engineers and installers

• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, as councils and developers often ask for set cover levels
• Workers compensation insurance if you hire assistants (check your state scheme)
• Engineering sign-off, permits or site safety requirements for large installations, so check with the client and local council
• Public art commissions are competitive and payment can be slow, so keep cash flow buffers
• Contracts should cover copyright, maintenance responsibility and what happens if costs rise
• Safe work practices for welding, grinding, casting and heavy lifting, including protective equipment and training

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your workshop rental, equipment and materials. Councils and developers often ask for set public liability and professional indemnity cover levels, so check your insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the commissions you win and their size. Public art commissions are competitive and payment can be slow, so keep a cash flow buffer.

Check engineering sign-off, permits and site safety requirements for large installations with the client and your local council. Also check workers compensation if you hire assistants, and safe work practices for welding, grinding and casting.