CALL TO ARTISTS: Read the Fine Print.
As an artist, I often consider a variety of “CALL TO ARTIST” announcements I see on social media or in art magazines, etc. For the most part the announcements are very clear and fair in explaining their terms of participation. But every once in a while I see language in a CALL TO ARTISTS that’s mind-blowing.
For example, if a CALL TO ARTIST states in its terms of participation that by participating you are agreeing that the host can use your artwork however they wish and into perpetuity, you should consider running in the other direction. Or at least delete that opportunity from your mind as an option. Other language I’ve seen stated that the artist was agreeing to give up all rights to the artwork by participating, and agreeing to divest all his or her rights in the art to the host of the exhibit, contest, or whatever the event is. Again, run or delete.
You, the artist, are the owner of a bundle of rights regarding your original artwork. When you sell the physical original art, you don’t sell the rights that were created when you made the artwork. You still maintain the right to create copies and sell them. You have the right to contract for the use of the image in films, video games, album covers, on household goods, etc. You also have the right to do nothing further beyond selling the original art. The buyer can sell the physical art they bought, but that’s it. The artist’s rights do not automatically transfer to a buyer of the original art unless there is a written agreement stating that that is the case.
This is why it’s so important to know what you are signing when you enter contests or respond to any CALL TO ARTIST announcements. You worked too hard to create your art. Protect your rights to it. No contest or CALL TO ARTIST is worth surrendering more than you have to.