‘Pure tokenism’: Artists slam Budget 2026 as income scheme stays too narrow

Cork city-based artist, Natasha Bourke, whose work includes films, art installations and drawing, among other art forms had applied for the scheme in recent years

“Pure tokenism” is one Cork-based artist's description of changes made to the basic income scheme for artists.

As part of this week' budget, the Government announced the scheme will become a permanent fixture, with 2,000 new places to be made available from 2026, providing a weekly payment of €325 to up and coming artists.

Cork city-based artist, Natasha Bourke, whose work includes films, art installations and drawing, among other art forms had applied for the scheme in recent years. She was unsuccessful, however, despite a glowing track record. The former ballet dancer is known for her unconventional, artistic projects, among them a one-woman show in a swimming pool which was organised as part of last year’s Cork Midsummer Festival.

“I wasn’t one of the few picked in the lottery, because that’s what it was. I applied but wasn’t among the lucky few."

Artists will be invited to apply for the scheme in September 2026 with eligibility broadened to include additional artistic disciplines. It comes on foot of a pilot programme launched in 2022 to facilitate the sector’s recovery after the pandemic There is provision for a potential expansion to 2,200 participants if additional funding becomes available. 

"Of course the scheme is going to be beneficial but we are also being told that a potential expansion will only apply to 200 more artists if additional funding becomes available,” Natasha told the Irish Examiner.

Natasha described the difficulties artists are continuing to face - particularly in the years on from Covid.

“You feel like you need to be constantly creating huge works to validate yourself as an artist,” she explained. 

“What a lot of people don’t realise is how much research is necessary, depending on the kind of art you do. It’s important to remember that artists need thinking time as well as production time. You are not always making a product that is sellable or that fits into the market. In a way it’s different to somebody who has something to sell. "

Meanwhile, Darren Kelleher, who owns and runs the Cork-based talent and actors agency Bloom, said it’s important that more artists are given the opportunity to hone their crafts without the added pressure of financial insecurity.

“If it could be rolled out on a larger scale to support all the genuine actors then it would be a godsend. The scheme offers equal status to the people in other industries who are telling actors that they should give up and have a normal job. When it comes to being an actor you have to beat every door down. After that you get small bits and you build and build. People in conventional jobs have access sooner, even to modest finances.” 

He said an expansion of the scheme would prove beneficial for the whole industry.

“What happens is you get a job and you are put on minimum wage or an income that society deems respectable. The artist on the other hand is left trudging away for years, trying to balance their ambition with the fact that they have to pay rent and buy food. There is a constant fear and anxiety that results in people leaving the industry. Unfortunately, the easiest part of being an actor is often leaving and this needs to end. It’s really difficult to get going when you don’t have the support to sustain you.

"As a country, we are now in a place where we are busier than ever. There are a fortune of projects coming in from the US. There are also attractive tax breaks for people who produce their films and television shows in Ireland. The industry is roaring but if we don’t support the development of Irish talent then we are not going to produce as many great Irish actors. The reality is that most well-known Irish actors had to go to the UK to build themselves. If we don’t support the industry here then it’s not going to grow.”