I have taught art for the past 16 years in public school. Prior to that I worked as a visual artist instructor for 14 years. I do a great deal of work for the love of art and art education. I am an area representative with my local art education association. I am lead specialist teacher on my campus. For the past two years I have sent out a newsletter to my district's art teachers. I do it out of the desire to improve the plight of art teachers throughout my district. I do it to help the art teachers in my district overcome the isolation that many of us have felt.
That said, a commission is a commission. Over thirty years ago I attended commercial art school. I quit doing commercial art because it was not my "calling". It didn't satisfy me.
I am a professional art educator. I expect to be treated as a professional.
I spend my time and money on my craft, my class room and my students. Outside of food, shelter, clothing and taxes I don't think that I've spent any money on non-art and -education related items in years.
My art, my craft and my calling deserve respect. My student's deserve my best. I can't give anyone my best if there is no "my time". If I don't take time to recharge and refresh I won't be any good in the classroom. If I don't take care of me, there'll be no me to take care of my students.
I'll repeat what I wrote before, people rarely respect what they get for free.
I donate artwork to be auctioned off for various righteous causes. I don't hold that one should always charge for work, but I also believe that you shouldn't always give it away. Each situation deserves to be considered independently, but if you ask me, if my bosses want me to do work for the district to be used throughout the district, I want to be paid what it's worth.
It didn't sound like the original question was about something that was for art or art education.
"I have been approached to do some art for the cover of a
pamphlet outlining our character education and behavior policies in our
elementary school. This will be distributed to parents in our district.
There is a possibility that this image could be reproduced on posters that
would be distributed to teachers for their classrooms. Is this something I
should request payment for? Would there be some kind of a copyright issue if
it were to be reproduced many times? Or should I just be pleased that I
would be getting recognition for doing the work?"
Sounds like commercial art to me. I would want compensation.
As far as copyright, if they pay for it, they own it.
I'm not a saint. I'm not a martyr. I'm an artist, an educator, and one dedicated teacher.
