Arts & Culture

Flexible legal advice built for the arts

We know that no two organisations are the same, and that’s especially true in the arts world. That’s why our approach is practical and collaborative. We take the time to understand how your organisation works, where you’re heading and what your priorities are.

We have worked with clients across galleries, museums, theatres, performance venues, festivals, arts charities and heritage organisations. Whether you’re looking to protect your intellectual property, secure funding, negotiate commissioning contracts or ensure regulatory compliance, we can support you at every stage.

We provide support with a broad range of matters, including:

Service agreements and commercial contracts: We draft and negotiate agreements with artists, performers, suppliers, funders and partners that protect your interests while maintaining strong working relationships.

Governance and organisational structures: We advise on charity registration, constitutional documents, trustee responsibilities, membership structures and governance frameworks that meet regulatory requirements.

Intellectual property protection and licensing: We help you protect and license creative work, from copyright and performance rights through to licensing agreements and rights management for exhibitions, productions and collections.

Commissioning and collaboration agreements: We support organisations commissioning new work and artists entering into commissioning relationships, ensuring clear terms on ownership, usage rights, payment and credits.

Venue and property matters: We work with our commercial property colleagues to advise on lease negotiations, licensing for events, building contracts and property management for galleries, theatres and cultural spaces.

Privacy policies, data processing agreements and GDPR compliance: We help you meet your data protection obligations with privacy policies, data processing agreements and compliance frameworks for audience data, donor information and online ticketing.

Employment and volunteer management: We advise on contracts for artistic directors, curators, performers and technical staff, as well as volunteer agreements and freelance arrangements that reflect the realities of arts sector employment.

Dispute resolution: When issues arise, such as IP infringement, breach of contract, partnership disputes or funding disagreements, we provide practical advice on resolution strategies, from negotiation through to litigation.

Why choose Slater Heelis for Arts & Culture

Committed to the North West arts community

We’re proud supporters of the arts and culture sector across the North West. We currently sponsor HOME in Manchester and Storyhouse in Chester, and have previously supported Contact, Waterside Arts and Royal Exchange Theatre. Senior Partner, Chris Bishop, also serves as a board member of Quarantine, a group of artists and producers.

Through these partnerships and our wider sector engagement, we’ve built strong connections with theatres, galleries, festivals and cultural venues throughout the region. We understand the specific challenges arts organisations face, from constrained budgets to complex funding conditions, and we’re committed to finding practical solutions that work within those realities.

Full-service support

As a full-service firm with offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester, we can bring in colleagues from our employment, charity law, litigation and property teams when your needs extend beyond pure commercial matters. Whether you’re dealing with a trustee dispute, handling an employment tribunal, or managing a property development, you benefit from integrated advice that keeps every aspect of your organisation aligned.

Transparent pricing and practical service

We understand that budgets are often tight in the arts sector. We offer fixed fees where possible so you can plan with confidence, and we’re always upfront about costs and realistic about timescales. For organisations with limited resources, we’re open to conversations about how we can support you, whether that’s through phased work, focused advice on priority issues, or exploring alternative fee arrangements. We’re focused on delivering value and building long-term relationships, not just transactional instructions.

Based in the heart of Manchester and Chester’s cultural hearts

Our Manchester and Chester offices are situated in the cities’ thriving cultural districts, with easy access to theatres, galleries and arts venues across the region. We’re well-connected to the North West arts community and understand the local cultural landscape.

Combining legal expertise with sector commitment

Our work in the arts and culture sector sits alongside our established charity law practice, which includes extensive experience in fundraising, governance and regulatory compliance. This combination allows us to provide genuinely sector-focused advice that understands both the legal framework and the practical realities of running cultural organisations. It’s an approach that reflects our values as a firm and our commitment to supporting the communities we serve.