This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 4, 2020, Artcaffe, a popular restaurant chain, announced an art and design competition for its take-away cups. The competition sparked a heated debate among Kenyans, with some expressing outrage over the lack of a monetary reward.
According to the competition rules, winners will have their art displayed in one of the restaurant's locations or have the opportunity to intern with the creative team. In addition, they will receive a year's supply of coffee, redeemable at one cup a day.
However, many Kenyans felt that the reward was insufficient, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argued that creatives had long been paid in 'exposure', which couldn't pay their bills.
Artcaffe's representative stated that the rules for the competition remain the same, and they would not be offering different rewards. The debate has reignited a long-running discussion on what constitutes sufficient reward for creatives.
Some, like rapper and entrepreneur Juliani, believe that exposure can be beneficial for creatives, allowing them to secure other lucrative opportunities in the future. However, others, such as Eric Mugendi, argued that the cost of the free coffee for a year could have been a cash payment to the winner.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Artcaffe will reconsider its approach to rewarding creatives.
