Source: Government of Ireland
Eligibility criteria and details of how the scheme will operate, including what proofs of practice will be accepted, are outlined in the Guidelines published today.
The BIA Pilot was the first large scale Randomised Control Trial undertaken by the Irish Government and has provided a solid evidence base for the policy direction of the scheme. Those who were on the Pilot may apply for the new scheme as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for the new scheme.
Applications will be assessed over the summer, with payment to selected artists beginning before the end of 2026.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
BIA Scheme Objectives
- The artist
- To incentivise the development and growth of professional creative practice through self-employment;
- To counter the earnings instability and precarious nature of working in the arts, and the detrimental effect it has on artists’ mental health;
- To foster artists’ agency and safeguard freedom of expression.
2. The sector
- To retain talent in the sector by reducing the need for artists to work outside of the arts for economic reasons;
- To support and expand the sector thanks to spillover effects e.g. hiring of collaborators, expenditure on materials, emergence of new projects etc.
3. Society and the public
- To support social cohesion and societal wellbeing by creating more opportunities for citizens to engage in the arts, and to offer a larger selection of artworks and performances to enjoy;
- To recognise the contribution of artists to a pluralistic society, and their contribution to the vibrancy of communities across the nation.
Who is eligible to apply
- Artists with a professional creative practice who are
- Based in the Republic of Ireland at time of application and can
- Evidence their creative practice, primarily based in Ireland.
- Recently Graduated Applicants
Who is not eligible to apply
- Those who cannot provide evidence of their professional artistic practice
- Aosdána members in receipt of the Cnuas payment
- Artists not based in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application and for the duration of the payment
- Artists whose practice is not primarily based in Ireland
- Those in full-time education
BIA Pilot Scheme
Reports published on the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme which ran from 2022 – 2026 are available here: gov.ie – Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme
Research from the pilot scheme collected clear evidence of the consistent, positive impact that the payment has across almost all indicators. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to:
- devote more time to their art;
- produce more pieces of work;
- experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction
- experience 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.