@natureofbeing, similar things do happen in other fields.

For example, writers face the hurdle of being told "We'd love to publish your article, but we're not paying for submissions at the moment-- but it will look GREAT on your resume to say that you were published by us!"

In the advertising design field, graphic designers are often expected to "spec" logos and designs for free, as a "goodwill gesture" in hopes of gaining a long term client... but often they just end up with nothing.

That said, I do like the idea of some community engagement challenges of some kind-- asking people (and artists) in general to share their impressions of "what matters" to them about art. Maybe even with rotating monthly topics. Definitely something I will give some thought.

I think central; to building "value" for creative fields is an effort to "personalize" art. That is... get people to stop thinking about art/creative expression as a "thing," and get them to think more about the person behind the creation. Once you humanize something, people are less likely to be dismissive of it. In a sense, it's a bit like the Internet... people are less likely to be rude and trollish with someone they have actually met IN PERSON, outside the virtual environment.