Basic income for the arts in Ireland : qualitative report

This qualitative research published at the end of the three-year pilot scheme shows that recipients experienced transformation in their professional lives, health and well-being, and belief in the future. The report explores the impact of receiving a basic income for artists and creative arts workers in Ireland. The primary ambition of the pilot scheme "is that by addressing the issue of low pay and income instability in the sector, arts workers can focus on artistic and creative work and be able to increase their earnings from their creative practice, remain in the sector with a viable career path, and reduce the need to supplement their earnings through work in alternative sectors". Some findings : 1.Providing a basic income for the arts significantly impacts the subjective experience of financial uncertainty in the lives of recipients. 2. Reduced anxiety around making ends meet has increased time as a resource for creative pursuits. 3. Increased time for creative pursuits has resulted in greater artist autonomy - greater ability to plan and navigate their own creative paths.