Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith welcomes the New Basic Income for the Arts scheme announced this week and stated it represents a ‘significant milestone’ in Ireland’s support of the arts and artists.
Practicing artists based in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to apply for the new BIA scheme, and 2,000 eligible artists will be selected to receive the payment of €325 per week.
The successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot program will solidify Ireland’s place as a global leader in the area of artist supports.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Brendan Smith said:
“The scheme announced this week will help sustain careers and retain talented artists in the field. I expect this new scheme will be very welcome across Cavan/Monaghan’s vibrant, creative and prolific arts community,” he said.
He added:
“We are already a global leader in the area of artist supports because of the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme. This further investment will help support the countless positive benefits to society by the arts and will support not just positive economic and health outcomes, but also celebrate our heritage, strengthen our social cohesion and bolster our global reputation.
With a budget of €18.27m, the new BIA will operate in 3-year cycles with artists being eligible for every 3 out of 6 years.
This means that, if selected in 2026 – 2029 for the payment, an artist won’t be eligible for the payment in the next cycle but may reapply in the cycle following that.
Concluding, Deputy Brendan Smith encouraged local artists to apply if they think they would be eligible.
“Those who were on the Pilot and meet the eligibility criteria for the new scheme may apply for the BIA in 2026. Guidelines outlining the details of criteria and parameters for the scheme are currently being finalised and will be published in April.
Following that, the scheme will open for applications in May and these will be assessed over the summer, with payment to selected artists beginning before the end of 2026,” he concluded.
