Art Use in the Santa Cruz Chronicles

Though this is a text-based game, no one can argue with the impact of art and illustration to aid the understanding and enjoyment of any story. As part of the ongoing effort to mature and embellish the S.C.C, a working relationship with several fine artists has been established. Art comes into the S.C.C. primarily in two ways: contribution and purchase.

Since the latest revision, every effort has been made to secure and use both art and fiction with the highest regard to respect for intellectual property. One of the easiest solutions was to purchase art. John has a very modest budget that he uses for art purchases from talented artists who are willing to work within his budgetary constraints. In return, the artists are given full credit and allowed to show their work as well as explore some concepts that perhaps they would not have otherwise undertaken. Also, an effort has been made to inquire about using art from various premiere fantasy and science fiction artists in return for credit and a link back.

Good netizens show respect and consideration. If you feel you are worthy of respect, then show respect for the rights of the artists, John, and the Santa Cruz Chronicles by not stealing any art you find here. Rights for display have been secured for this site only. If you wish yourself to use the art you see here, please inquire directly with the artist. Generally, art that has been commissioned is to be used only here on the S.C.C. and within the owning artist's portfolio. However, other art that has been donated might be able to be used by you for your purposes. But do not assume this. Please visit the artist's site for more information. Their contact information has been provided on any page that their art is used on. Also, artist contact information can be found within the program section for any chronicle that displays their art.

Any art that is found to have been taken without permission from the Santa Cruz Chronicles will instigate both contact by the S.C.C. with the owning artist to let them know of the theft, and with the webmaster of the domain that the art is found upon. Further steps will be taken as warrented. If you have seen art that you know to have been taken from the S.C.C. (such as commissioned pieces) please take a moment to use the form to let us know. We will take appropriate action. If you find art here on this site that you know is being used incorrectly (for example, you are the owning artist and you know you never gave permission) please use the same form to report the misuse. Generally, direct contact is initiated with artists before their art is used, including establishing verifiable contact information. This is done to help insure that the person offering the art is indeed the actual artist and owner.

Below are the various ways art can be brought into the S.C.C. If you are an artist who would like to explore offering your pieces for display here; or if you are an audience member who knows of an art resource we should look into, please use the attendant form to submit your information.

If you would like to view the terms under which art is acquired and displayed, please view the terms section to view under what criteria art is used.

And if you would like to suggest your own art or need to understand what styles of art are desired, please read both the terms and guideline sections.

Recommendation

If you are an audience member who knows of an artist whose work would benefit the S.C.C, please consider using the art submission form to let us know about it. You might want to glance at the terms but in any case, someone will check your recommendation out in due course. And accept our thanks in advance for your recommendation. Note that not all recommendations will result in that artist's art being used. There might be preconditions that preclude use; it might not be possible to establish clear title to use; or there might be other reasons. Nonetheless, we appreciate your taking the time to let us know.

Contribution

If you are an artist who has pieces of art that you think would benefit the S.C.C. and would like to see them displayed here in return for credit and a return link to your site, please read the terms of use and then use the art submission form to let us know. In the event you should direct us to your portfolio site, please indicate clearly which pieces you are giving permission to use. Also, if you have a specific idea of where on the S.C.C. you would like your art to be used, please make note of that.

Please understand that not all art that is suggested for contribution can actually be used, or can be used right away. We are always interested in art but not all art and not all styles fit a concept that might be in place for a given design theme. But themes change and that could mean that art that was not initially considered, would be considered later.

Also, as a matter of protection, unless you are being featured on a principal portfolio site or you are a widely known artist outside artistic circles whose contact information is readily verifiable from your website, some small steps will need to be taken to establish direct contact and confirm contact information should ownership issues arise. Art use in the S.C.C. is taken very seriously and some small steps will be taken to help ensure that any person contributing the art is indeed the artist and owner of rights to that art. This helps artists by helping to see that persons do not try to pawn off someone else's art as their own.

Association

Associated artists are artists who have a standing working relationship with John and the S.C.C. They have a good understanding of and have agreed to the terms of use. They understand the style of art that is suitable for various uses and within what constraints they are bound for the various types of art (portrait, setting, scene, prop, species). They are also willing to work within the budgetary constraints of the artist, in some cases providing a discount to their normal fees.

Since players are required to purchase their own character portraits, should they be interested in having one, players are directed to work exclusively with one of the associated artists or with any troupe character artists, should such be available. Please see the section titled Guidelines if you are a player who would like to contribute art or would like to commission a portrait for your character.

Since there is a very small budget, there can only be a few associated artists. The current list of associated artists can be viewed by clicking on the associated artists link below. Any openings for new associated artists positions will be posted alongside audition notices at the kiosk. If you are interested in becoming an associated artist, consider joining the patrons list for notices about associated artist openings. Also, please feel free to contact us using the art submission form. There is always the possibility that some pieces of art will need to be done outside of the current associated artist list due to lack of time or interest on the part of the other artists that normally do the S.C.C. artwork. Note that there are some specific questions regarding style and fee scale.

As is detailed in the terms of use section, associated artists receive full credit but generally do not receive the return link that contributing artists receive for donated art; except in a few cases, as detailed.

Membership

There are slots for scene and character artists, both of which are considered permanent troupe members. Troupe artists receive first choice on art assignments, before associated artists. They also receive full credit and either a return link or a link to a brief profile page hosted at the S.C.C. in return for their efforts. Troupe artists can apply to become associated artists should an opening occur. There is no guarantee however that they will be chosen above other candidates. Choice will be based soley on the quality and style of work being offered and the cost fee. Becoming a troupe artist then should not be considered a stepping stone for later applying for an associated artist position. As permanent troupe members, troupe artists can cast ballots when the director calls for a vote. They are featured prominently on the program and receive byline credit directly below their contributed works. Just as with contributed and commissioned art, all rights other than perpetual display of course reside with the troupe artists.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Santa Cruz Chronicles, please see the Stage Manager to sign-up.

Patronage

If there are individuals who would like to commission art for use in the S.C.C. according to the terms of use, they are most welcome to do so by using the art submission form. The usual case for this is for when a player desires a character portrait for their character. There is a stipulation that any such commissioned work still be done through one of the associated artists. This is partly an appreciation for all the associated artists do for the S.C.C, but also because these artists understand both the requirements and terms of use for art and have agreed to do work for the S.C.C. accordingly. Any commissioned work receives a special byline under the title of the artwork in slightly larger font size. Should there be a patron who commissions art other than for a character they run, they will also receive special mention in the program site for that chronicle and well as a courtesy link back to their non-adult content web site, or to a profile page provided by the S.C.C. If for some reason a player or patron does not wish to work through one of the associated artists, there can be accommodation on a case by case basis. But given that the amount of time it would take to review and vet an artist is time taken away from game play and game work, it is strongly urged that art patrons consider working through one of the associated artists. If a character portrait or other art for a character is awarded to a player, that player does not receive a byline patron credit since they did not pay for the piece in question.