Ireland Introduces Permanent Basic Income Program for Artists

The Basic Income for the Arts program builds on a pilot initiative introduced to support the sector’s recovery after Covid-19.

The Irish government has unveiled what it describes as the world’s first permanent basic income scheme dedicated to artists, offering weekly payments of €325 to support creative professionals across the country.

Under the new Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) program, 2,000 qualifying artists will receive the stipend each week for a three-year period. Applications are set to open in May, with recipients chosen through a randomized selection process.

Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan said the initiative positions Ireland as a “global leader in artist support” and marks a significant step forward for the country’s creative sector.

The permanent program builds on a pilot launched in 2022 to help artists recover from the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to government data, every €1 invested in the pilot generated an estimated €1.39 in economic return. Officials also reported improvements in participants’ financial stability, productivity and overall wellbeing.

O’Donovan described the new scheme as a “major milestone” that will help sustain artistic careers and prevent talent loss within the sector. He noted that research from the pilot highlighted the financial insecurity many artists face in Ireland.

Eligibility and Selection Process

Ireland’s Department of Culture confirmed that applicants must:

Be resident in Ireland at the time of application

Be a professional artist engaged in an established creative practice

Primarily base their artistic work in Ireland

Successful applicants will be selected through an anonymous randomized system designed to ensure equal opportunity. Detailed application guidelines are expected to be published in April.

Officials anticipate strong interest and acknowledged that funding will not be available to all eligible applicants. Artists who are not selected in 2026 will have another opportunity to apply when the scheme reopens in 2029.

The government says the initiative aims to strengthen Ireland’s arts community while providing greater income stability for creative professionals.