Ireland has introduced what is being described as the world’s first permanent basic income scheme for artists, offering selected recipients €325 per week to support their creative work.

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) programme will provide weekly payments to 2,000 eligible artists for a period of three years. Applications are scheduled to open in May.

Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan said the initiative marks a significant milestone and positions Ireland as a global leader in artist support. He noted that the scheme aims to sustain artistic careers and help retain creative talent within the country.

The permanent programme follows a pilot launched in 2022 to assist the arts and culture sector in recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to government data, every €1 invested in the pilot generated a return of €1.39, while also allowing artists to devote more time to their work and improving their quality of life.

O’Donovan said research from the pilot consistently highlighted the positive impact of income support, as well as the financial insecurity faced by many artists in Ireland. He encouraged artists nationwide to apply so the final selection reflects a broad range of creative disciplines.

The Department of Culture said 2,000 applicants will be selected through an anonymous randomised process to ensure equal opportunity. Detailed application guidelines will be published in April.

To be eligible, applicants must be resident in Ireland at the time of application, work as professional artists with an established creative practice, and have their primary creative activity based in Ireland.

Officials expect a high volume of applications and acknowledged that not all eligible candidates will receive funding. Those not selected in 2026 will have another opportunity to apply when the scheme reopens in 2029.

With inputs from BBC