What some would see as a good course to promote Kenyan artists has unfortunately turned bitter for Artcaffe. The Kenyan restaurant chain went to social media to announce a new initiative dubbed #ARTofthecity.

The contest is meant to give Kenyan creatives to showcase their artwork. According to Artcaffe, anyone that gets to win is guaranteed of getting some prizes. But the rewards part is clearly what did not sit well with a number of people.

The Facebook post states that the ultimate winner is an exhibition space for 2 months. Alternatively, one can get an internship with the Artcaffe Design Team for 2 months. Alongside all this is wait for it…free for coffee for a year.

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If that is actually annoying you already you might want to know that the runner-up is guaranteed free coffee alone for 6 months. And as you have clearly guessed it the third prize is free coffee for 3 months.

If you can’t seem to lay your finger on what exactly is missing, then let these tweets explain.

Shame on you Artcaffe. No really, shame on you.
1 coffee a day for a year is Kes 91,250.
Offer that instead of a cup of coffee that no one needs. Also, you know the winner won’t be able to redeem everyday, that’s why you offered this.
Respect creatives, they deserve to be paid. pic.twitter.com/CBWrnrERZW

— Elayne (@ElayneOkaya) August 4, 2020

Imagine spending 2sok everyday to go get your free coffee from Artcaffe haha

— Mutinda? (@brianmutinda_) August 4, 2020

Artcaffe wanalipa designer na coffee? Imagine telling your landlord nachill kahawa yangu ya artcaffe iingie nikulipe….. pic.twitter.com/k7vUqE7oOm

— aleckie ronald (@SirAlexas) August 4, 2020

Anyway, just like Jalas & the 10k logo, ArtCaffe will have desperate creatives give them their best work for coffee. They know what they're doing is wrong but also know how desperate people are, esp now.

— Waguthi (@_misplacedhuman) August 4, 2020

Artcaffé wamesema WIN BIG kumbe the prize ni coffee wtf!. Can coffee pay your bills?

— UNDERRATED NINJA (@iamjoseh_) August 4, 2020

The competition, however sentimental, has been described as a degrading initiative meant to mock the efforts of Kenyan creatives.

Luckily, Artcaffe has responded personally to some of the people who have aired their disappointment.

“The whole purpose of this competition and the aim behind it is to give artists and designers in Nairobi exposure and opportunity by using our platforms to reach a wide audience with their skill and craft – through either exhibition space in our branches, an internship with our design team, and also with their name and artwork displayed on our takeaway coffee cups over the Holiday Season. This is not degrading to artists – we aim for this to be uplifting to artists of our city,” Artcaffe replied to one Facebook user.

Clearly, whoever is in charge does not seem to understand that many Kenyans are tired of “exposure” being used as a currency. As of now, the restaurant’s social media team describes the free coffee as an “additional perk to the real prize”. But what many would like to know is what exactly that “real prize” is.

Update on 05/08/2020

After much conversation and condemnation on Twitter, it seems like Artcaffe has finally decided to submit.

We hear you. Let's try this again…Re-launching our updated #ARTofthecity competition, where we are celebrating the creatives of our city. Design our holiday take-away cups, reach the city with your talent and more! Read updated competition details here:https://t.co/Z5qxF5dXTO pic.twitter.com/rk5sXhvv2k

— Artcaffe (@ArtcaffeKenya) August 5, 2020

The restaurant chain this morning took to social media to announce changes to the contest. The best design will have the winner win the following:

1. A paid internship with the Artcaffe Design Team for 2 months
2. 100,000 Ksh cash prize OR free daily coffee for a year at the artist’s choice
3. Exhibit and sell your art in one of our restaurants for 2 months
4. An artists profile on our website and posts on all social media platforms
5. Your unique artwork and your name will be the printed design on our takeaway cups

The best runner-up will earn:

1. 50,000 Ksh cash prize OR free daily coffee for 6 months at the artist’s choice
2. An artists profile on our website and posts on all social media platforms
3. Your unique artwork and your name will be the printed design on our takeaway cups

The third-place winner will then be winning:

1. 30,000 Ksh cash prize OR free daily coffee for 3 months at the artist’s choice
2. An artists profile on our website and posts on all social media platforms
3. Your unique artwork and your name will be the printed design on our takeaway cups

Clearly, someone had to step up and make the right call.