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Artist Management Agreement

For an artist bringing on a personal manager to guide their career — covers commission rates, what the manager can do on the artist's behalf, sunset clauses, key-person protections, and termination rights.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Is this the right contract for your career?

This contract is built for an artist or group bringing on a personal manager to guide their career. It fits situations where the manager will advise on strategy, coordinate opportunities, and represent the artist with third parties in exchange for a commission, and where both sides want the services, pay, term, and exit terms in writing before the work starts.

Good fit for

  • Artists or groups hiring their first manager
  • Managers who want their services and commission in writing
  • Artists earning across recording, touring, and other income
  • Anyone setting a clear term and exit terms with a manager
  • Artists who want limits on a manager's authority to sign deals

You may also need

Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • Artist or group name and the manager's name
  • The commission percentage
  • What income the commission applies to
  • How long the agreement lasts
  • Whether commission continues after the term (sunset terms)
  • What expenses need approval
  • Whether the manager can sign deals for the artist
  • How either side can end the agreement

What's Inside This Contract

Engagement and scope of services

Sets the manager's role and the services the manager will provide.

Term and termination

States how long the agreement lasts and how either side can end it.

Compensation and commission

Defines the commission, what income it applies to, and any post-term sunset payments.

Artist obligations

Covers the artist's responsibilities and cooperation during the term.

Intellectual property

Confirms the artist keeps ownership of name, likeness, and creative works.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • The commission percentage
  • What income is commissionable
  • How long the agreement lasts
  • Whether commission continues after termination
  • What expenses require approval
  • Whether the manager can bind the artist to deals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an artist management agreement?
It is an agreement between an artist and a manager that sets the manager's services, commission, what income it applies to, how long it lasts, and how either side can end it.
Who should sign it?
The artist or group and the manager both sign. When a group is involved, the members confirm they have agreed to engage the manager on these terms.
What is a sunset clause?
A sunset clause gradually reduces and ends a manager's commission on deals made during the term after the relationship ends, so the artist stops paying full commission forever.
What income is commissionable?
That is negotiated. Some agreements commission most music income, while others carve out items like recording costs, touring expenses, or money paid to third parties.
Can a manager sign deals for an artist?
Only if the agreement gives that authority. Artists often limit a manager's power to bind them and require approval before any deal is signed.
How is this different from an agent or booking agreement?
A manager guides overall career strategy and earns a commission on income. An Artist Booking Agreement covers a single live performance, with its own fee and show details.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in an artist management agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any artist management agreement:

  • Manager can sign deals without approval
  • Commission applies too broadly
  • No clear termination right
  • Sunset clause is unclear or too long
  • Expenses are not capped or approved
  • Duties are vague
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