APPLICATIONS FOR THE basic income for the arts pilot scheme will open from 1pm this afternoon.

The scheme is being run by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and will examine the impact of a basic income on artists and creative arts workers.

Payments of €325 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.

Culture Minister Catherine Martin has allocated €25 million as part of Budget 2022 to the scheme, which aims to stem the flow of creative people out of the arts sector.

It’s envisaged that the income support will encourage creative arts workers to focus on their craft without having to enter into employment in other sectors to sustain themselves. 

Minister Catherine Martin said: “I believe that this scheme is the start of a fundamental change in the way Ireland supports and recognises her artists and arts community. The idea for the Basic Income for the Arts pilot arose as the number one recommendation from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, which I established in 2020 in response to the devastation wreaked by the Covid pandemic on our arts sector.”

Applicants are advised to read the scheme Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions before beginning their application to check if they are eligible. A user guide and video are also available on the portal to assist applicants.

The Minister added: “Personally I am privileged to be the Minister in a positon to deliver this pilot and to have secured the Government’s commitment for a three year basic income pilot scheme for the arts. I would encourage all artists and creative arts workers to apply. This is a unique opportunity to research the impact a basic income could have on the arts and to provide the evidence base for a permanent support.”