artist agreement nativity 2008

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Artist Agreement: Terms and Conditions
for sultans of sand crew members working on the
SAND NATIVITY 2008
A sand sculpture show Produced by the City of Jesolo, Italy.
Winter 2008
Show designed and directed by Varano Sand Sculpture Co. LLC aka the Sultans Of Sand Worldwide.

NOTE: This is not a very public page. You are seeing it because I sent you a direct link to it. To access this "hidden" web page, there is a secret link at the very, VERY bottom of the Nativity 2008 home page of the event web site. It is just a small dot, barely visible below the contact link in the disclaimer down at the very bottom of that page (you gotta scroll way down). You either need to save this page, the URL, or know how to click on the secret link to get back here again.

It is greatly appreciated that you are available and open to working on the Sultans Of Sand crew for the 2008 edition of the annual (winter) show in Italy. The overall show is designed and directed by your employer- Rich Varano of "The Sultans Of Sand Worldwide" and produced by the City of Jesolo. The theme is the Nativity
This is the nineteenth show in eleven years (including both the summer and the winter shows) that this company has put on, at the wonderful coastal community along the northern Adriatic, coastline at Jesolo.

Listed below are the terms and conditions you need to be aware of as a paid contractor working at this event.
Sorry if it all seems so formal, but managing many people requires good and clear communication so there are no misunderstandings or hurt feelings later.
It is a good policy to put it all in print, up front and in one location, for all parties concerned. You will be asked to affirm you have read and understood this information.

Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC.
the "Sultans Of Sand Worldwide"
Artist Agreement: Terms and Conditions

Conventions and definitions of this document:
This is an agreement of terms and conditions as provided by Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC aka "the Sultans Of Sand Worldwide" herein after known as either of those names or simply "the company" An American sand sculpture services provider doing work globally.
The agreement is expressly for persons that will be hired to sculpt sand for the Nativity theme show which the company has designed and will be directing in Jesolo, Italy in the winter of 2008. These individuals of myriad nationalities will be employed by the company as sub contractors for the purpose of creating sand sculpture and are herein after referred to as the artist(s), carver(s), crew member(s), or collectively as "the crew"
Accepting a position as a carver on this crew constitutes a binding commitment from the respective subcontractors allowing that they will adhere to these terms and conditions.
Although artists may possibly come from any continent, English shall be the common language used to communicate.

1.) THE JOB DESCRIPTION:

The sculptors are working as individual contractors for Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC. aka The Sultans Of Sand Worldwide. The owner of the company, Rich Varano is also the director of the show. He will be responsible for all aspects of the crew's involvement at the event.*
All the artists are doing specifically directed work. This is a paid job. It is not a contest or a free-theme exhibition. The artists will create a sculpture in a theme or subject assigned to them by the director. They will be assigned a work area (Poundup) that they will be responsible for successfully completing. Final payment is dependent on this successful completion.
The work will be created in an "illustration" style of work. The sculptures should not be "abstract" at all. The human and animal figures created should be should be realistic, and not stylized. There should be limited use of symbolism -if any, except if it is pre approved by the director. [Exception: a very few sculptures will have these features in them by design, for variation in the show. Such exceptions are approved in advance, and assigned by the director.]
At the show, Damon Farmer and Mark Anderson will be serving as assistant directors. If Rich is away from the show tent and there are any creative issues, artists should ask Damon Farmer for assistance. If they have any technical issues (about forms, tools & materials, etc.) they should ask Mark Anderson. If the situation still needs Rich to make a decision or act upon something, he can be reached by telephone through his personal assistant (Elena Lana) who is in the tent all day, everyday.
In general, the artist have a great deal of latitude in designing and executing their own particular sculptures in the subject/theme assigned to them. But, all crew members must understand that the director has ultimate creative control at all times. That means sometimes things may change without notice (for various reasons). Any artist may possibly be asked to alter a plan, redo something, work elsewhere or with someone else, or even have their own work re-carved by a different artist. These types of situations rarely occur at all, but it can happen. Besides benefiting from the artist's good ability and concerted efforts, it is hoped they will have fun and enjoy working comfortably. However the focus of the job is all about the completed show as envisioned by the director. It is not about the individual artists being showcased, or doing their own (great) work -though that is capitalized on by the event administrators at various times.
All expenses of travel, hotel & meals are paid, plus a working wage. All artists are paid the same for the carving aspect. There are 10 work days. The pay is as arranged between the director and the individual artists. Optional free time in Jesolo (four extra days) is also offered as a job perk.
There are art student helpers from the Art Academy in Venice, and city employees available daily for removing forms, and shoveling sand. When not engaged doing this they can be used by the artists to carve, or do whatever the artists need them for, within reason. There are not as many helpers as their are artists, so the artists must share the helpers. Removing forms and shoveling excess sand takes precedent over sculpting assistance for the helpers time.
The artists must provide their own visual reference materials.
If the director decides to include a People's Choice award as an aspect of the show for after the work is completed. it will not yield any cash prize or further compensation to any artist.
Crew members will need complete receipts for anything they are out of pocket for, if they expect to receive any cash reimbursements. Such reimbursements are ultimately subject to approval (or declined) by the event administrators.

2.) DATES & SCHEDULES:

The(9) dates of work are: November 25- December 03, 2008.
All carving crew members must plan to be in Jesolo no later that November 24. They may depart on December 04, or stay for three more free days on December 04, 05, 06 & 07 and depart on December 08. They can depart on June 18 or 19 as well, if they prefer. If any crew members remain in Jesolo on December 07, or later, the hotel and meals are at their own expense. And they need to arrange that in advance with Lorena in the producers office. She handles all the travel and hospitality issues for the artists on the crew. (Artists will CC the director on ALL correspondence with anyone in the producer's office at all times)
The artists enjoy private rooms. So, they may opt to bring guests to Jesolo at their own expense, IF it is arranged with Lorena in advance to be certain that hospitality availability exist.
There is a firm work schedule that must be strictly adhered to by all crew members for the entire 9 working days: The groups works in 2, four-hour sessions. 8-12 in the morning and 1-5 in the afternoon. There is a one-hour break at mid day. All crew members are allowed a 15 minute break in the morning session, and another 15 minute break in the afternoon session. Tardiness may result in pay sanctions of one quarter hour increments for each infraction. These scheduled work hours are not flexible, but the artists are allowed in the tent at all hours, and they may work extra time before or after this schedule on their own, (without more pay) if they wish to. Many artist do work overtime, in order to produce the finish they want to achieve, and this is greatly appreciated as well, but it is not required. The professionalism and ability of the artists, combined with the available (adequate) amount of carving time - relative to the volume of work be done, assures a finished sculpture of comparatively high quality. This has been a distinctive feature of the Jesolo shows in general.

3.) MEALS:

The hotel is located across the street and one door over from the event tent. Artists will have breakfast in the hotel where they sleep, but lunch and dinner for all artist is at the Vecchio Marconi restaurant directly across the street from the hotel. (in the same block as the event tent) or other designated restaurant(s) TBA.
Guests of the artists are welcomed to join us at the group table each day, but guest's meals are at their own expense.
All crew members are expected to be professional and act within a certain decorum at all times, even while "off the clock."
Artists should endeavor to limit the impact of sand in the hotel and restaurant public areas as much as is practical.
While three meals each day are provided free, occasionally artists may wish to dine out at their own expense.

4.) THE SHOW TENT:

The tent is locked when not in use, but it is only a tent & not a bank vault. We have "lost" things from the tent from time to time over the years. The crew is responsible for their your own carving tools. The event director or producers are not responsible for loss of any tools or personal items due to theft, breakage or otherwise.
All major poundups are done in advance before the artists arrive, but there will be tampers and forms, (both - plastic flexies & wood) available for the artists if they need them. Due to the layout of the wood flooring installed after we finish carving, it is important that the finished work should be contained within the boundaries of the immediate poundup space unless otherwise planned for and approved in advance. This means the artists need to consider the work carefully at the top, before they start. Excess sand that is carved off the poundup will be removed by the helpers and bobcat. Artists may not "grow" their sculpture outward with the sand that is carved off. The outward "spread" should be avoided because of the floor, the simple rope barrier, and the very close proximity of the finished sculptures to the curious hands of the viewing public. If artists run into a problem with available space as they develop their work, They should notify the director right away so the issue can be resolved in a practical way (which may mean changing the design on the fly).
The sand is ok, but not the strongest when it is dry. Care should be taken to NOT PUSH THE LIMITS OF DEFYING GRAVITY. The sculptures need to remain standing for six to eight weeks.
There is drinking water available inside the tent. Any other refreshments or snacks that the artists may , should be provided by themselves.
Over the years the environment in the tent has been everything from quite mild and perfectly pleasant to hot and stifling, to so cold you have to wear a coat. The artists should be prepared for any type of weather.

5.) WORK CLOTHES:

All crew members are required to wear the Sultans Of Sand shirts all day, every day while working. No other shirts are permitted. Artists that have them should bring all their Sultans Of Sand shirts with them to Italy. If they do not have any, they need to let the director know right away (and their size) so that they will be provided with at least three (3) Sultans of Sand shirts. It is up to the artists to rinse and dry them as needed, so they can wear them in the tent every day. No bare backs (or chests) are permitted. All crew members must wear the shirts at all times while working.
If a sweater is needed, put the shirt on over the sweater so the Sultans logo is on the outside so it shows. Crew members particularly susceptible to being chilly, please plan to wear layers of shirts if it is cool.
If it gets so cold that a coat or hat is needed, and that coat or hat any other sand company OR sand event printed on it, that is OK to wear, because everyone needs to be comfortable enough, but, they must cover the identifying printing or logo with tape so it is not visible.

6.) TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY ARRANGEMENTS:

All aspects of typical travel, housing, food (Hospitality) are provided for the artist.
After being confirmed as hired by the Sultans Of Sand, all artists will be in contact with Lorena Mucelli in the producers office at this email address: lorena.mucelli@comune.jesolo.ve.it regarding their travel arrangements, and any special requests for guests, hotel info, or other hospitality issues.
Artists will CC the Director on all correspondence with the producers office and their assigns at all times.
The expenses of Hotel phone calls, bar bills, additional add-ons, guests expenses etc, are the responsibility of the artists.

7.) INSURANCE:

There is insurance coverage for the crew only while working on the clock (also including any optional overtime while working in the tent). Medical treatment and procedures, hospital stays and doctor's visits are covered, but not prescriptions, medications or extraneous (optional) tests or treatments deemed medically redundant or non essential by the local medical staff. The respective artists are responsible for those expenses if they opt to incur them.
Artists are not covered by the event policy while off the clock, at all. Artists need their own coverage for times when they are not on the clock, or do without.

8.) EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Artists are requested to update their emergency contact information with the director, for their people back home in case of emergencies.
If an artist has any medical conditions, special needs or particular concerns, they should advise the director of such situations in advance of traveling to Jesolo.

9.) PAYMENTS, TAXES AND WITHHOLDING:

Payment will be made in full when the work is completed successfully.
Without exception, payments will not be made for service that is not rendered.
Artists may be docked pay for excessive tardiness.
Whether paid in cash or by check or wire transfer, all wages to the crew, from Rich Varano or Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC will be made in the Euro currency.
Artists are responsible for any income tax (or other tax) liability they may be subject to in their home country.
Americans and U.S. resident aliens with tax ID numbers will receive tax notice #1099 next year, for income received from Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC this year.
If an artist's airline or other conveyance ticket is purchased by the event organizer, the artist artist will pay for the cost of the ticket if they cancel for any reason, and do not use the ticket to attend the event.

10.) ART RELEASE FORM:

Artists are required to sign a document (shown here) that allows Rich Varano/Varano Sand Sculpture Co. LLC aka the Sultans Of Sand Worldwide, the producers and their respective assigns the right to use images of the artist(s) or their likeness, including voice, and any of the work they do in association with this job, for any commercial projects they desire, at any time, without further credit or compensation to the artist. This does not grant exclusive right. The artist may use images of their own work done at this event for their own commercial purposes, but not the work of the other artists working for this company at this event without prior authorization from the director. It is also considered good form to credit Varano Sand Sculpture Company including the web address www.sultansofsand.com when an artist uses images of their work done at this event, in any public forum.

11.) MEDIA CALLS, PUBLIC PERSONAE, BEHAVIOR & ETHICS

Artists shall represent the Sultans Of Sand Worldwide, well and act responsibly at all times, not only when on the clock.
If media approaches artists, they should be directed to the person in charge on site. Either the director or his assign, or the producer.
Unauthorized self/commercial promotion and cross promotion of other sand events is not permitted.
Any criminal activity engaged in by any artist at any time is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Respect for local customs and societal values is the responsibility of all crew members.

12.) SAFETY AND FIRST AID

Safety is the primary concern at all times.
By Italian law, artists are required to comply with safety procedures. All crew members are asked to wear shoes while on the work site. All crew members are expected to use the additional proper safety devices and gear that is provided, when and wherever necessary and required.
There is a first aid kit by the water cooler in the tent. There is a public medical center two kilometers down the street.
In case of serious injury or any emergency, notify the director or person in charge immediately.

* Due to the fact that Varano Sand Sculpture Company LLC and the director ultimately answer to the producers of this event, some of the conditions and terms outlined here may change without notice at any time.
Any disputes not resolved on site or through local arbitration or mitigation will be relegated to the true and competent court of Volusia County in the state of Florida in the United States of America, where all decisions of the court will be binding upon all parties.

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