<
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/ireland-basic-income-artists-program-permanent-1234756981/>
"Several years after launching a trial, Ireland is set to make its basic income
for artists program permanent starting in 2026.
Under the program, selected artists receive a weekly payment of approximately
$375, or about $1,500 per month. There are 2,000 spots available, with
applications set to open in September 2026; eligibility criteria have not yet
been announced. The government may expand the program to additional applicants
in the future, should more funding become available, according to Irish
broadcaster
RTÉ.
The current program, which began in 2022 and is set to end in February after a
six-month extension agreed to earlier this year, was launched to support the
arts sector following the pandemic. Many artists suffered disproportionate
income losses during that time due to the cancelation of live performances and
events.
For the pilot, applicants could apply under visual arts, theater, literature,
music, dance, opera, film, circuses, and architecture. They were required to
submit two pieces of evidence proving that they were professional cultural
workers, such as proof of income from art sales, membership in a professional
body, or reviews. At the time, the
New York Times reported that more than
9,000 people applied, with 8,200 deemed eligible and 2,000 randomly selected to
receive payments. Another 1,000 eligible applicants were placed in a control
group to be monitored but not receive funds.
The announcement follows the release of an external report by UK-based
consultants Alma Economics, which found that the pilot cost €72 million to date
but generated nearly €80 million in total benefits to the Irish economy. The
report also found that recipients’ arts-related income increased by more than
€500 per month on average, income from non-arts work decreased by around €280,
and reliance on other social programs declined, with participants receiving
€100 less per month on average.
“The economic return on this investment in Ireland’s artists and creative arts
workers is having an immediate positive impact on the sector and the economy
overall,” Patrick O’Donovan, minister for culture, communications, and sport,
said in a statement.
The report further estimated that a permanent, “scaled-up” program would likely
result in artists producing 22 percent more work, while lowering the average
cost of art to consumers by 9 to 25 percent."
Via Susan ****
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*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
