Commission
An agreement to create a new artwork for a specific place, budget, and purpose, rather than purchasing an existing piece. Most public art enters the world this way.
A public commission typically moves through six stages: the call, artist selection, concept and design development, fabrication, installation, and dedication. Each stage has its own approvals and payments, which is why commissions are measured in years, not months.
The contract is where good programs distinguish themselves. Beyond scope, schedule, and payment milestones, it should settle the questions that only become urgent later: who owns copyright, how moral rights are handled, what maintenance the artist expects, and what happens if the site changes or the work must someday move.