Basic Income for the Arts: first recipients to hear this week

This week, the Republic of Ireland's Minister for Culture, Patrick O Donovan, will announce the first group of artists to receive payments under the newly launched Basic Income for the Arts scheme. The initiative, aimed at supporting professional artists in the Republic, will provide 2,000 recipients with €325 per week for a period of three years.

Initial applications for the scheme began in February 2026, following the announcement of a successor to the original pilot program, after receiving over 10,000 submissions from practicing artists based in Ireland.

Minister O Donovan emphasized that the scheme is a top priority, citing the compelling evidence gathered during the pilot phase that highlighted the need for such support. He also paid tribute to the former Minister, Catherine Martin, who initiated the pilot scheme during the pandemic, setting the stage for its permanent implementation.

To qualify for the Basic Income for the Arts, artists must sign an agreement with the Department, providing banking and Revenue details, and proof of address. Payments are scheduled to commence monthly at €1,413.21 over the three-year period. The commencement dates for the payments may vary, with those receiving their first payment in 2026 backdated to September 2026, and those receiving their first payments in 2027 backdated to January 2027.

Applicants who were not selected for the initial cohort of 2,000 recipients will be notified as soon as possible.