In a groundbreaking move to support the creative economy, Ireland has established a Basic Income for Artists Scheme that provides unconditional weekly payments of €325 (approximately $379.50) to 2,000 artists and creative workers across the country.
Initially launched as a pilot program in 2022, the scheme has proven successful enough that the Irish government announced its intention to make it permanent under Budget 2026, with an additional 2,000 places to be added in the initial expansion phase.
From pilot to permanent—Ireland’s artist income program doubles in size under Budget 2026.
The program, managed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was created as a response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Ireland’s creative sector. Unlike traditional supports, these payments come with no strings attached—no means-testing and no dependency on social welfare status, allowing artists to pursue their creative endeavors without financial constraints.
Selection for the pilot program was conducted through a lottery system from over 8,000 eligible applicants, a method that has faced some criticism despite ensuring fairness. The new application window for interested artists will open in September 2026. Recipients must participate in the scheme’s extensive research and evaluation program, which has been instrumental in documenting the initiative’s effectiveness.
“The research findings have been overwhelmingly positive,” Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan stated when announcing the program’s permanence. “We’re seeing decreased financial stress, improved mental health, and most importantly, an increase in creative output and artistic risk-taking.”
The evaluation process included a control group of 1,000 artists who participated in research without receiving payments, providing valuable comparative data. Results show that beneficiaries spent more time on artistic experimentation and research, feeling empowered to pursue projects without immediate commercial pressure.
The National Campaign for the Arts has actively supported the scheme’s continuation, citing it as a model for how governments can sustainably support cultural sectors. The initiative has demonstrated significant improvements in participants’ overall well-being by reducing financial stress associated with creative pursuits.
Many recipients have used this opportunity to focus on personal branding and establishing their unique artistic identity without worrying about immediate financial returns.
As the program shifts to permanent status, eligibility criteria are expected to expand to include more artistic disciplines, potentially reaching up to 2,200 participants if additional budgetary resources become available. This approach complements traditional income streams like sync deals for musicians, giving artists more freedom to focus on creative development rather than solely commercial work.
