I am one of the recipients of the Basic Income for the Arts in Ireland.
But I’ll be honest, I was afraid to talk too much about it (for reasons I’ll go into).
As we approach the end of the trial, we need to talk about it, because honestly, everyone deserves this! And the bravery of the government needs to be acknowledged and applauded for running this trial, against what I am positive is a lot of unfounded pushback.
In answer to a few questions you didn’t ask…
Why didn’t you talk more about it?
I was worried about the criticism.
I have had a late career tangent into children’s book writing and illustrating.
When I got the BIA, I was unpublished, and I knew lots of amazing, established, hard-working, Irish writers and illustrators. ‘Proper artists’ who deserved it more.
I was worried about jealousy. Why did I get it and not another? I was worried it might affect some of my relationships with people I hoped were friends or would become friends.
I worried professionally. Like all artists, I need to work another job. I have a career in marketing with some lovely clients, which I enjoy. I was a little worried they might think I was stopping marketing. I cannot afford to stop marketing.
I was worried about attention. I am a total introvert. Need I say more?
And to be honest, I have been part of conversations over the last three years where many of these worries were confirmed. Thankfully, more conversations where they were not!
But look, I do a lot of marketing work with a Data Science company, and I understand. This is a science experiment. At the end of the three years (which has flown by), if the data is to mean anything, then people NEED to be chosen randomly, and then compared against a control group.
Otherwise, this whole scheme will mean nothing except free money for a few artists for a while. That would be very short-term thinking. And amazingly, the government were actually thinking long term for once.
Truly, people need to understand how unusual and amazing this is.
It’s already flawed.
That is not a question! But it is something I have heard often. “I know a person who complained and got added to the scheme!”, and other complaints that it is flawed.
But I have yet to meet an actual individual who this happened to directly!
Nothing is perfect. Humans are not perfect. Whatever way anyone tries to run this study, some flaws will creep in, and good studies allow for that.
A science experiment needs to show a statistical significance in the results. That is, allowing for a certain % of flaws and bad data, the results still show a statistical significance towards success or failure.
Why are you talking about it now?
In a panic, I have realised everyone else was doing the same.
I was reluctant to put my head above the parapet.
The end of the scheme is approaching, and very few are talking about it.
So what’s going to happen? Nothing.
It can just fade away. The politician behind it is no longer in government.
The purpose of this study is to see if we, all artists in all forms, can benefit.
Benefit ourselves, our families, our careers, our country, and society by getting supports to make art, and support our culture.
The benefit is not just to this small cohort in the study. It can be ALL OF US. LONG TERM.
By not talking about it, it can just fade away.
Collectively, WE can not, should not, let it.
Why should we support a few hippy artists?
What if it wasn’t just artists? What if it was you too? What would you do with those supports?
With AI coming for all our jobs, how will you support yourself?
Guess what, that needs to start somewhere.
THE NHS was a hippy concept. Free healthcare? Madness! But look at the good it did and the damage the alternatives are doing.
This study is not the answer, but it is a significant step along the way, and we need to foster and support it.
Well, did the BIA work for you?
I can only speak for myself.
Yes, yes, and YES!
As I mentioned at the start of this. I was unpublished. Striving so hard to be an artist.
This scheme called me an artist. This alone was so validating, encouraging, and motivating.
I am now, in my third year, working on my third children’s book to be published later this year. My first was published last year, with the wonderful Jen Wallace and won a national award!
A sample of what I hope will be my fourth book and first Graphic Novel won an honorable mention in a big US competition last month.
It gave me stability.
It gave me freedom of choice.
Choice to risk learning a new art technique, to risk working with someone and not know the outcome, to risk taking on a project and not worry that the blinking engine light on the car is going to put us in the red.
More than choice, it gave me an obligation to do, learn, and try more. An obligation I embraced wholeheartedly to pay back and justify this belief in me and my art.
Would I have achieved this anyway without BIA?
Possibly.
In about 10 years, and having worked this far, I am almost certain I would be near burnt out at the end. If I managed to stick it out.
Did I mention the guilt?
Not the guilt of getting the BIA. The guilt of not getting it!
Making art can be a solitary, lonely practice.
Even though you are making something to be shared and enjoyed by everyone.
But you need to take time away from being with your family and loved ones.
Your job already takes so time. But we agree to that transaction in return for payment.
Making art takes time away from earning a living.
Away from supporting your family.
Being with your family.
Often, from looking after yourself, your health, and your own wellbeing.
But to be paid, to make art. Oh my god!
The guilt is now on days I do not make art. I was honoured enough to get the BIA. I need to make as much of this opportunity as possible. And I believe I have.
I can treat art like a job, which it is. And when I finish my job I can spend time with my family. Be present and mindful with them. So much worry and anxiety is taken away.
Any other questions?
I asked online if anyone had any questions. Here are some.
What is the scheme? Is it income-based?
It is not income-based. You just needed to show that you have earned some income being an artist to prove that you are an artist.
More information about the scheme here:
And here: https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0526/1514989-basic-income-arts/
Unfortunately for some, the scheme does count as taxable income and has affected their other supports, such as disability allowance, etc. This has meant that some cohorts of people were unable to take part in the scheme and will be missing from the data. I hope this will be addressed in future studies.
What are the rules/requirements?
See the above documentation. But broadly, you just need to show you are an artist. And they offered many easy ways for you to demonstrate this.
Then you are randomly picked to take part.
To stay in the scheme for the three years, you need to fill in a detailed survey every six months.
Does it need to be anonymous?
No (As far as I know). You are picked randomly and anonymously (after qualification).
But after this, individuals are free to discuss it.
Why do we need to support art and artists anyway?
Nope. More eloquent and smarter people than I can and have argued this.
For me, without art and entertainment in the world, then what is the point!
Surely, the COVID lockdown demonstrated this clearly. (It did, and don’t call me Shirley).
But what about… (Insert deserving cause here).
Who convinced you it is an either/or debate?
Why are they trying to convince you of that?
This affects us all.
Share and shout about your deserving cause. Let’s fight for it together and make a better world.
Won’t people just waste it or use it on drink and drugs?
EVERY scientific study and pilot done so far says no. Amazingly, when you free up people to do what they are interested in, they flourish and work hard at what they love.
Can’t anyone just claim to be an artist?
Yes. Yes, they can. Do you want to be an artist? Be one.
That thought is a bit scary, isn’t it?
So many amazing artists I know, battle with being able to call themselves an artist and don’t. Anyone trying to abuse the system is a drop in the ocean. Imagine if we could support them to do what they wanted to do as well?
What did you not like about the scheme?
There are no downsides to it.
Maybe some extra admin when filing your taxes.
And a reluctance to talk openly about it (see above), but that’s between me and my therapist 😁.
What would you like more of?
I know everyone expects me to say more money here. Which would be great. But not realistic.
But I would love for everyone to be on this scheme. I long to see the society and culture we could build with these supports. Imagine the impression we could make on the world!
What next?
Let’s make more noise. Expand the scheme. Do more studies. Believe and invest in ourselves and the culture we want to be. Think and invest long term. The returns are in the multiples.
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