Exclusive Writers and Agencies

Meaning of Exclusive Writer

What does it mean to become an exclusive writer with some affiliation?

What do they exchange?

Expectations of the Writer

What the writer expects is probably promotional activities… hosting exhibitions…

Expectations of the Agency

What the agency expects is probably trading artworks through the agency even after becoming known to the public or collectors…

Thus, the exclusive writer contract can be established based on each other’s needs.

Risk Factors

Risks Perceived by the Writer

– Will the agency properly carry out promotional activities for me?

– Will it be better than preparing and planning exhibitions alone?

– If someone suggests collaborating on an exhibition, but I can’t, is that a good thing?

Risks Perceived by the Agency

– Will the writer diligently engage in their artistic activities and grow?

– If they grow through hard work in promotion but leave soon after, it will feel like having gone through tough times together for nothing.

– Wouldn’t it be better to select excellent writers for exhibitions as needed?

Relationship Between the Writer and the Agency

The writer hopes to grow while receiving help from the agency during the initial risks.

However, even with an agency, they seem to find themselves in a weaker position.

Even if they work hard, the agency might not be aware, and although they may be satisfied, the agency’s subjective perspective may differ, leading to a need to be cautious. Mandatory promotional activities are not welcome. It is the writer’s pride.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to hold exhibitions with galleries that view the work positively as needed?

Expectations of the Agency

The agency hopes to discover and grow with emerging writers early on.

If they are putting in effort but don’t see proper results, they can part ways by shifting responsibility.

If they have worked hard and the results are good, the writer might think it’s just because of their good work and leave.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to evaluate the works at that time and hold exhibitions with the authors of excellent works?

Mutual Trust and Independence

If the writer’s expectations are not met, they feel like a slave who cannot even go to an exhibition that resonates with them without permission.

If the agency’s expectations are not met, they just need to care less. Then the writer will get tired and leave…

As I write this, it seems that the agency has almost no risk unless they provide separate financial support to the writer.

The writer may improve based on the agency’s evaluation, but they might also feel trapped.

It seems that the power lies with the agency.

Maximizing Strengths

To ensure that only strengths are maximized, the agency should clearly explain its plans or vision regarding promotional activities and exhibitions to the writer.

The writer expects this, and it is difficult to wait without proper explanations.

Especially, it should be ensured that the intentions are conveyed. Even if the explanations and activities are good, if they feel like forced promotional activities due to the contract, they will leave.

Role of the Writer

The writer should focus more on their artistic activities while leaving promotional activities or exhibition plans to others.

Chasing after various exhibitions, engaging in individual artwork trading secretly from the agency, or worrying about promotional activities undermines the agency’s efforts.

If such efforts do not foster trust between each other, it is obvious that the relationship will not last long, and it may lead to hurt feelings that deteriorate the initial relationship or turn it adversarial. It might be better to find ways to return to an independent state without hurting each other as soon as possible.

While respecting each other, it is still a matter of lacking the ties of fate at this moment…