Contract Basics for Performing Artists

What exactly are you agreeing to when you sign a contract?

Most performing artists are trained to perform — not to negotiate contracts. Yet contracts are part of almost every professional engagement, from concerts and productions to commissions, collaborations and freelance work.

Contract Basics for Performing Artists is a practical 90-minute workshop designed to help Malaysian performing arts practitioners better understand the agreements they sign and protect themselves professionally.

Presented in plain language, the session will unpack key areas including payment terms, cancellation clauses, artist rights, responsibilities, unfair terms and common contractual pitfalls encountered in the performing arts. Participants will learn what to look out for, what questions to ask, and when it may be worth seeking further advice before saying “yes.”

The workshop is led by Fahri Azzat, advocate & solicitor, published author and arts advocate with more than 25 years of legal experience, alongside Nandakumar S. Haridas, advocate & solicitor specialising in dispute resolution whose multidisciplinary background spans engineering, photography and live production.

Both are part of ALIM (Art x Law Initiative Malaysia), a lawyer–artist collective advocating for greater legal awareness and the rights of Malaysia’s creative community.

The session concludes with an interactive 30-minute Q&A, including discussion of real-world contract examples and situations faced by performing artists.

Formalising a contract isn’t confrontational. It’s professional. 

This also sits naturally within Rondo’s broader commitment to professional development and strengthening opportunities for Malaysia’s music and creative community.

Format

45–60-minute presentation + 30-minute Q&A

Who should attend

Musicians, performers, composers, conductors, arts practitioners, freelancers, producers and emerging arts professionals

Capacity

Limited to 30 participants