Vault Canvas

Loan Agreement

A loan agreement is a written contract between the owner of an artwork (often the artist) and a borrower (typically a gallery, museum or collector) that sets out the terms under which a work is lent for exhibition or display. It should specify the works (with catalogue numbers), loan period, location, insurance, transport, installation, condition on arrival and return, and any reproduction permissions. For artists, loan agreements protect your work when it leaves the studio and clarify who is responsible if something goes wrong. Always pair a loan agreement with a condition report at dispatch and return, and update your inventory to show the work's current location. A clear loan agreement is a basic, non-negotiable part of professional practice.

A loan agreement is a written contract between the owner of an artwork (often the artist) and a borrower (typically a gallery, museum or collector) that sets out the terms under which a work is lent for exhibition or display. It should specify the works (with catalogue numbers), loan period, location, insurance, transport, installation, condition on arrival and return, and any reproduction permissions. For artists, loan agreements protect your work when it leaves the studio and clarify who is responsible if something goes wrong. Always pair a loan agreement with a condition report at dispatch and return, and update your inventory to show the work's current location. A clear loan agreement is a basic, non-negotiable part of professional practice.