Opinion sought on artist supports

An online consultation has been launched seeking input on establishing a pilot basic income for the arts. The scheme is designed to support the arts to recover from the impact Covid-19 has had on the sector, by paying around 2,000 artists a payment of over €300 for three years.

Minister for Arts and Culture Catherine Martin hopes the first payments will be made through the scheme in April this year.

Green Party representative for Cavan, Monaghan and North Meath, Tate Donnelly, has encouraged artists, arts workers, organisations, and all members of the public who are passionate about the arts to partake in the online consultation phase.

Mr Donnelly spoke of the importance of supporting the arts: “The last couple of years have showed us just how important the arts are to everyone in the community. Be it through music, poetry, film, theatre, visual arts, or many of the other forms of art we love, the last couple of years have showed us that we rely on the arts to bring us happiness and joy, to connect us with our community, and to support employment in our communities.

“This scheme is an incredibly ambitious and exciting idea that provides artists with the certainty and stability they need and deserve after such a difficult period. It’s important all those connected to the arts in our region fill out the online consultation, and apply for the basic income when applications open.”

The consultation allows artists and the general public contribute to the development of the scheme. It is hoped that the frame of the scheme will be formed by canvassing the thoughts and experiences of interested parties on several aspects of the scheme, such as its objectives, eligibility criteria, and participant responsibilities.

The online consultation is open until the 27th of January and can be found at ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/BIA2022.