Less anxiety, more producitvity; Basic Income For Artists recipients report boost

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, is today publishing a report analysing two years of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot data. This report builds upon existing research conducted by the Department.

The report confirms previous findings that the BIA payment is having a sustained positive impact on recipients’ lives. Recipients are spending more time on their arts practice, report higher financial investment in their arts practice, and are producing more pieces of work compared to the control group. At the same time, BIA recipients are spending less time working in other sectors, which boosts sectoral retention.

BIA recipients are less likely to experience depression and anxiety, and report higher life satisfaction, than the control group. They are also more likely to be able to afford basic necessities. Receipt of the BIA has no influence on the likelihood to undertake unpaid work in the arts, to apply for arts funding, or to undertake artistic residencies. It also has no influence on the price of commissions.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan, said:

“This report adds to the extensive research conducted during the pilot, which points to the importance of this scheme for the arts sector. Those in receipt of the BIA typically can devote more time to their art, have improved wellbeing and reinvest back into the arts sector. 

“While no decision on a successor scheme has yet been made, I have made it clear that I would like to see the scheme continued and I look forward to sharing this report with my colleagues as part of Budget 2026 discussions.”

The report can be accessed HERE.