Full-time sculptor for public and corporate work

Councils and arts bodies, property developers, businesses, schools, hospitals and wealthy private clients.

Commission fees agreed in stages, plus sales through galleries and exhibitions. Larger projects are paid in instalments, with materials costs often covered upfront.

• Strong technical skill in your chosen materials
• Writing proposals and budgeting projects
• Managing deadlines and clients
• Working safely with heavy materials and tools

• Public liability insurance, and often professional indemnity, as clients may ask for proof
• Written contracts covering price, stages, changes, copyright and who owns the work
• Outdoor or public pieces may need planning permission or structural checks, so check with the client and council
• Income can be uneven, so keep a cash buffer for gaps between commissions
• Safe working with welding, grinding, dust and heavy lifting; check what training and protective kit you need
• Check whether VAT registration applies as turnover grows

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the studio, your materials, tools and protective kit. Check what safety training and equipment you need for welding, grinding and heavy lifting.

Check public liability and professional indemnity insurance, as clients may ask for proof, and use written contracts covering price, stages, copyright and ownership. Outdoor or public pieces may need planning permission or structural checks, so check with the client and council.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the commissions you win. Income can be uneven, so keep a cash buffer for gaps between commissions.