Ireland launches world first scheme to provide basic income for artists

Artists based in the Republic of Ireland could be paid €325 (£283) a week by the Irish government as part of a scheme to support them in their work.

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) project is believed to be the first permanent one of its kind in the world and Ireland's Culture Minister Patrick O'Donovan says it makes Ireland a "global leader in the area of artist support".

Some 2,000 eligible artists will be selected after applications open in May and will receive the weekly payment for three years.

The permanent scheme follows a pilot which was launched in 2022 to help the arts and culture sector recover after Covid-19.

O'Donovan said that every €1 (£0.87) invested in the pilot had generated €1.39 (£1.21) in return while allowing artists to devote more time to their work and improving their quality of life.

He said the permanent project was a "major milestone" that would "sustain the careers" of the artists selected and help "retain their talent in the arts sector".

"The pilot research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact it has had on those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector", he added.

"I encourage artists from all over the country to apply to ensure that those selected for the scheme represent the broadest range of artists practicing in Ireland today."

Ireland's Department of Culture says 2,000 applicants will be selected using an "anonymous randomised selection process" to give every applicant "an equal chance of selection".

The department says detailed guidelines on applying will be published in April but that to be considered eligible artists must:

• Be resident in Ireland when applying
• Be a professional artist with a professional creative practice
• Have a creative practice which is primarily based in Ireland

It says it expects to receive a "high volume" of applications and it "will not be possible to provide funding to all eligible applicants".

Those not selected in 2026 will be able to apply for the next scheme in 2029.