Education Department Uses Artist Fan Art Without Consent

The agency posted an edited version of work by artist Devin Elle Kurtz on social media without permission.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a digital stylus and an empty geometric picture frame on a clean background. — The U.S. Department of Education used an unauthorized, modified version of artist Devin Elle Kurtz's creative work in a social media post. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government agencies be permitted to use artists' work without their express permission?

The Department of Education recently shared an image on X featuring fan art that appears to originate from artist Devin Elle Kurtz without her consent. The government post included the slogan 'Make education great again' but notably removed dragons and altered original design elements.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding the unauthorized use of creative works by government entities in digital communications. While the artist has expressed her disapproval, she has confirmed that she does not intend to pursue legal action over the matter.

Artist Devin Elle Kurtz, who created the original 2023 fan art, is 29 years old. The government's version featured inconsistently sized bricks and removed figures from the original composition.

The players

Department of Education

This is a federal executive department that establishes policy for and coordinates most federal assistance to education in the United States.

Devin Elle Kurtz

She is a Pasadena-based artist known for her digital illustrations and fan art works.

The details

The Department of Education utilized an altered image on X that mirrored the stances and outfits found in Kurtz's specific 2023 artistic creation. This government-shared version featured modified platform brickwork and excluded the dragon imagery present in the source material.

Kurtz created the original fan art in 2023.
The Department of Education posted the meme on X on October 29, 2026.

Culture Shift

This incident mirrors the Department of Homeland Security's 2025 use of Sabrina Carpenter's song, marking a recurring trend of federal agencies utilizing creative works without clear authorization. It signals a growing friction between institutional digital presence and the rights of independent creators.

For the general public, this situation raises awareness about how government agencies procure or utilize assets for social media messaging. It serves as a reminder to everyday social media users regarding the prevalence of copyright usage in viral content.

The takeaway

This event serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying copyright and obtaining permission when utilizing creative assets for digital media. Creators may consider utilizing watermarks or specific licensing notices to clearly assert ownership over their online work.