The groundbreaking scheme moves beyond its pilot phase, promising long-term support for the country’s creative community.
Ireland is set to make history by making its Basic Income for the Arts scheme a permanent program — a major win for creative workers across the nation. Announced as part of Budget 2026, the government confirmed that the initiative will continue beyond its pilot phase, with new applications opening in September 2026.
Launched in 2022, the pilot scheme provided €325 per week to around 2,000 artists and creative professionals who met specific eligibility criteria. Participants were randomly selected, and early evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive. Many artists reported being able to devote more time to their craft, reduce financial stress, and improve their overall wellbeing thanks to the stable income.
For years, cultural advocates and political groups—including Labour and the Green Party—have pushed for the program to become a permanent fixture. They’ve described it as not only a lifeline for individual artists, but also as a strategic investment in Ireland’s cultural ecosystem. As the Green Party put it, making the scheme permanent is “not just about helping artists survive, it’s about helping Irish culture thrive.”
While the commitment to permanence has been confirmed, some details are still being finalised. It’s not yet clear whether current participants will be automatically enrolled in the new scheme or required to reapply. There are also discussions about broadening eligibility criteria to include a wider range of art forms, after some creatives felt excluded during the pilot. Additionally, the government is examining how the scheme will align with existing social welfare supports, especially for artists with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media expects to publish full application guidelines in the coming months. Depending on budget capacity, the program may expand to 2,200 recipients when applications reopen in September 2026.
By making the scheme permanent, Ireland is positioning itself as a global leader in recognising the arts as an essential profession worthy of income security. The pilot has already shown how such support can enhance creativity, productivity, and the wellbeing of artists. If scaled successfully, Ireland’s model could become a blueprint for cultural investment worldwide.