RTE
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has opened a public consultation on the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) programme.
Initially introduced as a three-year pilot in September 2022, the BIA was extended in June and will now run until February 2026.
The initiative aims to tackle the challenges of low and unpredictable earnings in the arts sector by offering €325 per week to 2,000 artists and arts workers, randomly selected, to support their creative practice.
A recently released government report on the scheme found that it has had a ‘significant’ impact in easing financial stress for recipients, while also allowing more time to dedicate to their artistic work. Participants also reported feeling a stronger sense of professional recognition and greater independence.
To learn more, go here.