Recipients of Basic Income for the Arts share their experiences in a new report
- Published on: 26 May 2025
- Last updated on: 26 May 2025
- more than 50 Basic Income recipients have been interviewed
- Basic Income significantly reduces financial anxiety and increases time for creative pursuits
- recipients report greater artistic autonomy, self-efficacy and validation
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, is today publishing a commissioned report that collects and analyses the experiences of Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) recipients. More than 50 artists and creative arts workers have been interviewed by a sociologist to talk about the changes that the BIA has brought to their lives. This report provides additional context to the data collected this far by the department as part of the BIA research programme, including quotes from participants.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:
"This research shows that the impact of the basic income is far-ranging and affects all aspects of recipients’ lives. As the pilot ends, it’s important to hear from the artists themselves. I am struck by the stories collected in this report. This paper complements my department's research to date which shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact for those in receipt of it. Artists are investing more time and more money into their practice, completing more new artistic output, experiencing reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support."
Minister O'Donovan also met with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) last week to discuss the Basic Income for the Arts and is aware that there is broad sectoral support for the BIA.
The NCFA Committee said:
"The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) emphatically supports the retention, extension and expansion of Basic Income for the Arts, recognising it as a transformative policy that empowers artists with meaningful financial stability. This qualitative report clearly demonstrates that the BIA has helped to sustain individual creative practice, boost ambition and creative outputs, as well as strengthen artists’ connections to their local communities. In addition, the pilot scheme has supported artists to secure more sustainable housing, address health issues, start families and even establish pension schemes. The findings affirm what the arts sector has long known: the deep precarity of the arts requires sustained, courageous support—support that not only transforms the lives of artists, but also strengthens the society they help to shape."
The paper published today finds that the stability of the payment has significantly reduced underlying financial stress, has allowed recipients to devote time to research and experimentation which resulted in improved quality and opened new career trajectories. Recipients invested in upskilling and equipment. Recipients are also better able to take care of their physical and mental health. They report a sense of legitimacy and validation and mentioned the importance of ‘giving back’ to their community.
Minister O'Donovan added:
"I am heartened by the responses of the Basic Income recipients in this paper. This research will add to the evaluation being conducted by my department, which to date clearly shows that the Basic Income Pilot has been an effective support for the artists in receipt of it. Per the Programme for Government I will evaluate the data from the pilot and then bring proposals to Government about next steps."
To request the paper in a format that is accessible to you, please use the contact details below.
Notes
Author’s bio
Dr. Jenny Dagg is a sociologist lecturing in the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University, Ireland. Her research focuses on the dynamics of power to explore the disconnect between regulatory systems (laws and policies) and their effects in the everyday lives and lived experience of marginalised groups. Using qualitative and mixed method research, her published work has explored issues of refugee recognition; the creative economy; social resilience; immigrant integration; and reproductive justice. She currently lectures on the power relationship between society and state, and sociology of the family.
Report’s research questions
- how does basic income support affect the financial stability of artists and creative workers?
- what changes occur in the artistic output and creativity of artists and creative workers receiving basic income?
- how does basic income support influence the well-being and mental health of artists?
- what are the broader social impacts of providing basic income to artists?
Key impacts reported by participants
Income security
The stability of the payment has significantly reduced underlying financial stress to provide relief and peace of mind that allows recipients to experience a reduced sense of anxiety about meeting their basic needs.
Time and focus
The opportunity to focus more on their specific creative interests opened new possibilities and career trajectories.
Artistic output and quality
They report that the time devoted to researching, experimenting, taking risks and failing has improved the quality of their work.
Professional growth and opportunities
Recipients discuss the courses they have taken, ways in which they have upskilled or ‘added strings to their bow’, and invested in quality materials, equipment or professional platforms linked to their creative practice.
Social impact
Recipients acknowledge that the BIA payment makes them feel ‘legitimate’ and validated, that ‘I am an artist’ and that being an artist is now a valid and valued profession.
Mental health
Recipients report better sleep quality and reduced stress levels which positively impact their physical and mental health.
Physical health, leisure and self-care
Recipients describe having more time to consider focusing on their health as well as the resources to improve specific areas of their health including regular health check-ups, dental care, reproductive healthcare, trans health care, and addressing minor health concerns.
Collaborations and partnerships
Recipients also reported the importance of ‘giving back’ to their community by purposefully forming collaborations or partnerships they feel were lacking.
Personal reflections
Many recipients talk of feeling empowered, of in control of the choices within their lives, and envisioning a viable career path longer-term.
Unexpected challenges
Across art forms recipients report concerns about financial stability and sustaining the momentum of their careers when, or if, the basic income scheme ends. Overall, recipients found it difficult that some applicants received the payment while others did not.
Future plans and aspirations
Recipients reported a range of priorities specific to what they have managed to achieve thus far on the scheme and their future goals for their creative practice.
You can find previous reports on the Basic Income for the Arts here: gov.ie - Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme.
The NCFA Committee includes Maria Fleming (Chair), Aoibhéann McCann, Dobz O’Brien, Peter Power, Carla Rogers, Aine Stapleton, Maeve Stone, Jack Talty.