Commissions

A commission is an arrangement in which a person or organization hires a professional to create a work or perform a service, usually under a contract specifying scope, price, and deadline. The term can also refer to an official body authorized to perform duties or to the act of entrusting a task to someone.

In the arts and design, commissions are common for visual art, sculpture, writing, music, architecture, and digital media. The client provides a brief, budget, and timeline, and the artist or firm delivers the agreed-upon work. In commerce, commissions also refer to compensation paid to sales staff based on sales or other performance metrics.

The commissioning process typically includes a brief or request, a written contract, a defined scope and deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and provisions for revisions, ownership, and licensing. Rights in commissioned works are determined by contract and can vary, with artists often retaining copyright while granting licenses to the client.

Sales commissions are usually paid as a percentage of the value of a sale, sometimes with tiered rates, caps, or draws against future earnings. In some industries, commissions are used as a performance incentive and may be subject to repayment on returns or chargebacks.

Official commissions are governing or advisory bodies created to study, regulate, or oversee specific issues, such as commissions on public policy, safety, or standards. Such commissions operate with defined mandates, reporting requirements, and the authority granted by law or organizational charter.