Counter Culture / April 5, 2022

Government launches Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme

Counter Culture / April 5, 2022

Government launches Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme

Words: Eva O’Beirne

Payments of 325 euro per week will be made to 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers who will be selected at random and invited to take part.

The scheme will open for applications on April 12.

The scheme was launched by today by Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar.

The main objective of the scheme is to address the financial instability faced by many working in the arts. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme will examine, over a three year period, the impact of a basic income on artists and creative arts workers. 

The Taoiseach said on the launch: “Government is committed to supporting the arts and this initiative has the potential to be truly transformative in how Ireland supports the arts in the future.”

“Ireland’s arts and culture in all its distinctiveness and variety is the well-spring of our identity as a people and is internationally recognised. The Basic Income for the Arts is a unique opportunity for us to support our artists and creatives in the sector and ensure that the arts thrive into the future.”

Minister Catherine Martin added: “This announcement heralds a new era for the arts in Ireland. As our artists and creative professionals emerge from the devastating impact of the pandemic, the Government is committed to providing an unprecedented level of support as they seek to rebuild their livelihoods.”

“I want the arts not just to recover, but to flourish. That is why I secured funding to help realise this scheme, which was a key priority for me in the Budget.”

Minister Martin stressed that stakeholder engagement has been central to her in the development of this policy initiative. A stakeholder consultation forum was held on the issue in December 2021 at which over 150 participants from 50 representative and resource organisations in the arts and culture sector attended.

The scheme will open for applications on Tuesday, 12 April and close on Thursday, 12 May 2022.

Information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply for the pilot scheme can be found here. Eligibility will be based on the definition of the arts as contained in the Arts Act 2003; ““arts” means any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes”.

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