By Books Ireland
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD is today publishing a report that has collected and analysed the experiences of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) recipients.
More than 50 artists and creative arts workers were 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 O’Donovan said that the 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.’
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
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 said that it 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 findings affirm what the arts sector has long known: the deep precarity of the arts requires sustained, courageous support
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 said he was heartened by the responses. ‘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.’
