Minister intends to retain arts income scheme following report

The covid support scheme  increased time for arts lead to 'greater artist autonomy', which gave them more of an ability to plan and 'navigate their own creative paths'

As part of the scheme launched by then minister Catherine Martin in 2022, some 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers were selected at random out of more than 9,000 applicants to receive €325 a week. File Picture: Chani Anderson

Artists who received a basic €325 weekly payment were subject to less financial stress, had more time to create art, and took on more ambitious projects, a report has found.

Examining the results of the basic income scheme introduced at the tail end of the pandemic, the report found that recipients had “reduced anxiety around making ends meet”. This increased their time to create art.

As part of the scheme launched by then minister Catherine Martin in 2022, some 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers were selected at random out of more than 9,000 applicants to receive €325 a week. This pilot scheme was launched for an initial three-year-period.

The basic income increased time for arts lead to “greater artist autonomy”, which gave them more of an ability to plan and “navigate their own creative paths”.

“Recipients articulate greater self-efficacy. They feel validated, empowered, and confident to exert personal agency within their creative profession and their broader social relationships,” the report reads.

Weekly payment

As it is due to expire in August, the Government will need to make a decision on whether or not to extend the basic income for the arts scheme in the months ahead,

Arts minister Patrick O’Donovan has signalled his intent to retain the scheme.

The scheme itself operated by providing eligible artists with a weekly payment of €325.

The report reads the stability of payments through the scheme “significantly reduced underlying financial stress”. 

The report also found the payment was considered mainly as a supplementary income, with many artists allocating it towards rent and bills.

Recipients who reported the basic income as their primary source of income found that they remained in “a financially uncertain situation struggling to get by”.

Those interviewed for the report described the scheme as a 'buffer or safety net'

On the possible continuation of the scheme, the report says this could allow artists to “earn a sustainable income and develop to full-time artists”.

“Many worry they will return to precarious work situations, which will once more limit their time and energy for their own creative practice, if the scheme is not continued/if their payment is not continued,” the report adds.

One senior government source said that Mr O’Donovan intends to “retain, extend, and expand” the basic income for artists scheme.