The Obama campaign asked artists to use their talents to create posters hyping his jobs bill. The only catch – he wants them to do it for free, competing for the top prize of having their work signed by the president. The Graphic Artists Guild isn’t exactly jumping for joy over the invitation.
On Saturday, the guild issued an open letter to the campaign voicing outrage over what it called a “shameful” competition.
“American artists should be outraged that our President does not recognize that we are entitled to be paid for our work, as are all Americans,” the guild wrote.
The Obama campaign’s request for submissions says that it “is seeking poster submissions from artists across the country illustrating why we support President Obama’s plan to create jobs now, and why we’ll re-elect him to continue fighting for jobs for the next four years.”
According to the guild, the award for the selected artists has no actual value, unless the recipient sells it. The campaign estimates the signed artwork’s value would be approximately $195. The guild’s pricing guidelines suggest that the proper compensation for such artwork is approximately $4,000.
The description of the contest makes clear that selected posters will be sold, “with proceeds benefiting the campaign.” (Read More)
It gets even worse, all submissions would become the property of the Obama for America campaign, but the artists would be held responsible for defending themselves and the campaign against any claims of infringement. Three years ago they probably would have jumped at the chance to be used in the name of “hope and change,” but I guess the shine has worn off.
It’s always fine for progressives to cry profit in shame unless it’s their own.
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Obama is a shameless hustler.
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