INPS contest for illustrators offers no compensation, only visibility

Italy's National Social Security Institute (INPS) launched a contest on June 8, 2026, titled 'Crea con noi la prossima carta,' inviting artists, illustrators, and cartoonists to redesign three INPS services as collectible trading cards. The deadline is August 28, 2026. Participants must use a template provided by INPS, which includes the service name, a brief description, and a QR code linking to a youth portal; only the illustration is left to creativity. Submissions are judged on artistic quality, originality, and coherence. Selected works become part of the official INPS Cards collection and may be used for institutional communication, publications, and exhibitions. Authors retain copyright but grant INPS a free, non-exclusive license. The contest explicitly states it is a cultural, artistic, and educational initiative, not a prize competition, and offers no monetary compensation, prizes, or expense reimbursements. The only reward is publication, name credit on the cards, and potential exposure. The initiative has sparked criticism for perpetuating the practice of unpaid creative work, especially from a public institution that relies on contributions from paid labor. INPS's call is seen as part of a broader debate about the economic sustainability of cultural professions and the value of intellectual labor.