Ireland's basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent

"Ireland is creating a scheme that will give artists a weekly income in the hope of reducing their need for alternative work and boosting their creativity. The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative will provide 325 (283) a week to 2,000 eligible artists based in the Republic of Ireland in three-year cycles. It is the first of its kind in the world, the culture minister, Patrick O'Donovan, said at the launch in Dublin on Tuesday."

"The permanent scheme follows a trial that ran from 2022 2025 to help artists during Covid pandemic shutdowns. New York and San Francisco had similar pilot schemes but Ireland is believed to be the first country to make it permanent. The pilot which saw 2,000 artists randomly selected from 8,000 applicants lowered the likelihood of artists experiencing enforced deprivation and reduced their levels of anxiety and reliance on supplementary income, a study found."

"The scheme recouped more than its net cost of 72m through increases in arts-related expenditure, productivity gains and reduced reliance on other welfare payments, according to a government-commissioned cost-benefit analysis. It was a real-world test of what happens when people are given stability instead of precarity, said Peter Power, a member of the National Campaign for the Arts steering committee."

Ireland will provide a Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) of €325 (€283) a week to 2,000 eligible artists in three-year cycles. The permanent scheme follows a 2022–2025 trial that supported artists during Covid shutdowns. The pilot randomly selected 2,000 recipients from 8,000 applicants and reduced enforced deprivation, anxiety, and reliance on supplementary income. A government cost-benefit analysis found the programme recouped more than its net cost of €72m through increased arts-related spending, productivity gains, and reduced welfare dependence. Artists spent more time creating and less time in unrelated jobs, strengthening the vibrancy and economic contribution of the arts sector.

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