
ireland basic income artists program permanent 1234756981
Ireland is making its basic income for artists program permanent starting in 2026, after a successful pilot launched in 2022. The program will offer 2,000 artists a weekly payment of approximately $375 (about $1,500 per month), with applications opening in September 2026. The pilot, which supported visual arts, theater, literature, music, and other disciplines, was created to help artists recover from pandemic-related income losses. An external report by Alma Economics found the pilot cost €72 million but generated nearly €80 million in economic benefits, with recipients' arts income increasing by over €500 per month and reliance on other social programs declining.

