Do you have an opinion?

The recent CulturePulse logo contest has ruffled a few feathers lately, including those of some members of the FMVA Board of Directors. Some artists, including myself and a few of the FMVA board members, signed their names (but not the FMVA as an organization) to a letter to CulturePulse regarding their contest. Personally, I was dismayed and opposed to the idea of the largest ND statewide Arts Advocacy group holding a nationwide spec-work contest in which only one designer will be paid for their time and effort – instead of first reaching out to their in-state resources to find an appropriate artist to craft what is essentially going to become their public-facing identity.

Not only did I have my own feelings to contend with on the issue, but the Board also had conflicting opinions on whether or not the FMVA should even make mention of the contest to its membership or the public, since as a policy, the FMVA does everything in its power to not ‘promote’ anything that ‘harms’ artists (i.e. – asking for Free artwork donations, etc.).

My own opinion is this – yes, we should make mention of it. Better to put it out in public than hide it away where no one knows about it. I think we’re never going to be rid of spec-work and other unfair working conditions for artists unless we get it out there and talk about it.

There are others who are opposed to the idea of us mentioning it – especially because it involves a statewide arts organization, and because they are of the opinion that no matter how many disclaimers we put on our website to the contrary – some people are going to think that by us putting it on our site, we are endorsing it.

So, what do you think? Do you have any opinions on the matter? Leave a comment below – and if you’re willing to stand behind what you say like I am, don’t make it an anonymous one.

Cas Johnson