THE DIRECT ANSWER
What is an artist management contract?
An artist management contract is the agreement between an artist and a manager that sets the commission rate, scope of services, exclusivity, term length, and what happens when either side wants out. Ontario management deals typically commission on gross income at 15-20%, but the details — which income streams, for how long, with what deductions — vary widely.
WHY IT MATTERS
The relationship that shapes an artist's whole business.
The management relationship is the most important one in an artist's business. It is also the one most often papered badly or not at all. Handshake deals work until money shows up. Bad written deals work until the artist outgrows the manager, or vice versa, and the sunset clause pays the ex-manager commissions on albums they did not work for years after the relationship ended.
The key levers: gross vs. net commission, which income streams are commissioned (recording, publishing, touring, merch, endorsements — all differently), exclusivity, term length, key-person clauses (if the individual manager leaves the management company), and the post-termination sunset tail.
We draft management agreements for both sides, review offers made by larger management companies, and negotiate the sunset and exit mechanics that decide how clean a break can be. We also handle management successor and transition scenarios when an artist moves between companies.
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU
01
Draft management agreements for independent managers and management companies.
02
Review management offers made to artists and redline the commission and term mechanics.
03
Structure sunset clauses that are fair to both sides and scale with actual contribution.
04
Handle key-person provisions, co-management arrangements, and manager substitutions.
05
Advise on transitions when an artist moves from one management company to another.
06
Mediate and document disputes without killing the relationship.
FAQ
Common questions about artist management contracts.
What's a normal commission?
Should commission be on gross or net?
What's a sunset clause?
Can I fire my manager?
What if my manager stops working but won't release me?
I'm a manager. Do I need a different agreement?
RELATED SERVICES
Work we often pair with management contracts.
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Clause-by-clause review and negotiation of record, 360, and distribution deals.
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Publishing deals, administration agreements, and SOCAN and CMRRA registrations.
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