Interpreting a brief

Artists briefs tend to vary in focus and also in quality. A good brief acts as a clear communication tool. It is a document which sets up a mutual understanding and sets out expectations which can spark ideas and support further discussion.

The context is generally the most important issue for artists when interpreting a brief. It prompts questions about how you address the commission, define a concept and make a proposal. It is an opportunity to decide if this commission is appropriate to your practice. In considering the commission you might undertake a site visit, get familiar with the context, meet the commissioner. You might do further desk research through the internet, books and articles. You might look at and review other artists practice and the processes they undertook. 

The key is to find a connection between the context and your artistic practice. It is possible to subvert or find ways of responding to a more traditional brief - if the particular commission is of interest? Decisions will depend on the selection panel who may or may not be open to your particular response, but there are a number of examples where artists have been successful in proposing a project outside the scope of the original brief.

A brief should usually remain open enough to respond to creative ideas or processes which may not be anticipated. It often outlines the considerations and concerns and sets out desires, interests and general scope to give context to the commission. The brief works best when it is not overtly prescriptive as this restricts artistic responses and a sense of freedom. 

Close reading of the brief might be revealing in what is said (written) or unwritten (between-the-lines) and underpins  the intention of the commission. The brief is indicative of the potential experiences for artists giving clues to the wider cultural context, the 'culture' of the commissioning organisation, how they function, what reputations they have, all these may play a role in deciding if this is or is not worth pursuing.

Artists' interpreting briefs might consider how in-depth the commissioners are in their considerations; how open do they seem? They should look closely at details from context to time-lines, budgets and information on selection process and panel and any possibility for flexibility especially around research and development of ideas or even with budgets. How will the commissioner support the artistic process?

Artists should also be award that sometimes briefs are written under time constraints and without the level of desired expertise. Site visits or further meetings and research can often be hugely helpful in deciding whether to respond to this opportunity or not.

If a brief is slightly more open ended this may indicate a genuine desire and openness to a range of contemporary practices, than say a brief that is locked down and appears rigid. That said, a clear brief that reads with clarity and purpose of intent gives parameters to artistic potential that focuses thinking.