Artist Management Contract Template - Music Industry Agreement
Artist Management Contract Template - Music Industry Agreement
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Managing an artist without a written agreement is one of the fastest ways to end a business relationship and lose money. An artist management contract is the agreement between an artist and their manager that sets the commission, what the manager is obligated to do, how long the relationship runs, how either side gets out, and what the manager keeps commissioning after it ends. This is a 5-page attorney-drafted version covering all five.
Written by Adam Freedman, a music attorney with more than 10 years of experience, admitted in New York.
Which business agreement do you need?
The short answer: it depends on what the other person is doing for you. Running the career, booking the shows, splitting a song, or signing you to a label. The row highlighted below is this page.
| Agreement | The relationship | How the other side gets paid |
|---|---|---|
|
Artist Management Contract $49 (this page) |
Manager runs the career across every income stream | Commission on gross income, typically 15 to 20% |
|
Concert Booking Agreement $20 |
One live performance, artist and venue or promoter | A performance fee, deposit, and settlement terms |
|
Music Collaboration Agreement $20 |
Two creators as equal partners on a track | 50/50 of the master and the publishing |
|
Artist Recording Agreement $35 |
Label signs the artist and owns the masters | Artist takes a royalty, label takes ownership |
|
Complete Music Contract Vault $75 |
Producer, featured artist, songwriter, remix, sample clearance, label and sync templates | One purchase, 27 templates |
What's included
Commission & payment terms
- 20% commission on gross income, the common rate for artist managers, fully editable
- Clear payment timing: when and how the manager gets paid
- Commission exclusions: the income the manager does not commission, such as merch the artist manufactures and sells directly
Term & termination
- Initial 2-year term with automatic 1-year renewals
- Termination provisions: how either party ends the relationship
- Notice requirements: 30, 60, or 90-day notice periods
Post-term protections (sunset clause)
- 3-year sunset clause: the manager keeps commissioning deals they originated after the relationship ends
- Graduated sunset: that commission steps down over the three years rather than staying flat
- Clear definitions: which deals qualify for post-term commission at all
Duties & responsibilities
- Manager obligations written out rather than assumed
- Artist obligations written out on the same basis
- Exclusivity: whether this is an exclusive management relationship
Common mistakes this template helps you avoid
No written agreement at all: "we're friends, we don't need a contract" holds right up until money starts moving, which is the moment you need the contract.
An open-ended sunset: without a written limit, a manager can claim commission on deals years after the relationship ended. The graduated three-year version here is the artist-friendly answer.
Vague manager duties: if nobody wrote down what the manager was supposed to do, nobody can say whether they did it.
No termination rights: an artist stuck in a management deal with no exit is a career problem, not just a legal one.
Commission on everything: a manager taking 20% of merch the artist prints and sells at their own shows is usually not what either side meant.
Who this is for
- Independent artists signing with their first manager.
- Managers formalizing relationships with existing or new clients.
- Labels that manage artists in house.
- Producers who also manage other artists or producers.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20% commission standard?
15 to 20% is the usual range for artist managers, with 15% more common for established artists and higher rates sometimes asked for developing ones. This template uses 20% and is fully editable.
What is a sunset clause and why does it matter?
It lets the manager keep commissioning deals they originated after the relationship ends. Without one, the argument is that commission runs indefinitely. The graduated three-year version here means the obligation shrinks and then stops.
What should I know before signing with a manager at all?
More than fits in a template. This piece on what to know before you hire a manager covers the questions worth asking before the commission rate is even on the table.
Can I change the commission rate or the term?
Yes. It is a Word document. Commission, term length, exclusivity, notice periods, all editable.
What if my manager is also booking my shows?
Different function, different paper. This template covers management only, and a Concert Booking Agreement covers the performances. Worth knowing that some states regulate who may procure employment for an artist, which is a reason to keep the two roles documented separately.
Is it legally binding?
Yes, when both parties execute it. For a high-value roster or an unusual structure, have it reviewed before signing.
What format is the file delivered in?
Microsoft Word (.docx), editable immediately in Word, Google Docs, or Pages.
What happens after purchase
Instant download: Word (.docx) file delivered immediately after checkout
Fully editable: customize commission, term, exclusivity, and every other provision
Lifetime access: download anytime from your account
One-time payment: no subscription
Want to talk it through before you send it back? Set up a consult.
Need more than one template? The Complete Music Contract Vault bundles 27 music contract templates for $75.
*DISCLAIMER: These templates are for informational purposes only, and purchasing them doesn't make us your lawyer. It's impossible to make one version that fits every situation, so you should contact a lawyer to make sure it fits yours.
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