Commissioning

Commissioning Ethics

Six Minutes Past Nine operates with a defined commissioning structure.

This structure protects contributors, the panel, and the integrity of the platform.

The following principles apply across all surfaces, projects, and publications.

1. No Promises Outside the Panel Process

No member of the team may guarantee publication, inclusion, or commissioning outside the formal review process.

All contributions are assessed through the relevant panel or editorial structure. Informal conversations, expressions of interest, or professional relationships do not constitute acceptance.

Only confirmed written communication from the platform following review represents a commissioning decision.

2. Curatorial Integrity Supersedes Informal Agreements

Six Minutes Past Nine maintains a defined curatorial position.

If a proposed work does not align with the platform’s conceptual frame, editorial standards, or programme coherence, it will not be commissioned — regardless of prior informal discussions.

Personal relationships, goodwill, or parallel professional arrangements do not override collective curatorial judgement.

The integrity of the platform takes precedence over convenience.

3. Transparency of Selection

Selection processes are structured and documented.

Criteria are defined in advance and applied consistently. These typically include alignment, rigour, clarity of intent, and contribution to discourse.

Where appropriate, decisions are made collectively to reduce bias and maintain accountability.

While detailed feedback cannot always be provided, outcomes are communicated clearly and without ambiguity.

4. No Retrospective Inclusion

Once a selection round is complete and outcomes have been communicated, decisions are final.

Work will not be added retrospectively in order to resolve informal commitments, reputational pressure, or internal disagreement.

Retrospective inclusion undermines trust in the process and destabilises programme coherence.