New basic income scheme doesn't go far enough according to local artists
Offaly singer songwriter Brendan Keeley has welcomed the Basic Income for Arts pilot scheme but questions how it will be handled.
“I'm happy to see it there but it's limited to 2,000 artists I'm wondering how they're going to do it fairly. That's my biggest worry.”
“I hope I qualify. I want it to be given to people who work in the arts full-time, who've taken the plunge and live with the risks.”
Mr Keeley is concerned about paying for his mortgage and said “I got six months off in the beginning of the pandemic but now it's coming heavy. I got the PUP but that has ended now. No one could have predicted that the pandemic would go on for two years.”
Meanwhile, Limerick School of Art and Design, student Francesca Hutchinson from outside Birr echoes Brendan's feelings on the scheme.
"I won't be able to apply for the scheme for three years until I'm out of education. I don't think it's fair. It's a bit disheartening." "There's already a huge section of people that can't apply as you have to not be in full-time education for three years. I think it's a bit restrictive."
Ms Hutchinson believes that this will leave young artists in limbo for three years. "If the scheme doesn't continue to run until 2025 then I can't apply. It shouldn't be randomised selection. I think everyone's chances should be the same."
According to the local artist, chances of success in the art sector are compared to a lottery. "The randomised selection with this scheme adds to that lottery aspect."
Unions representing performance workers, SIPTU, Irish Equity and the MUI, have welcomed the announcement of the scheme which will provide a security of income for three years for up to 2,000 participants.
The scheme was announced by Minister for Culture and Arts, Catherine Martin, last week, and will provide a weekly payment of €325 to successful applicants in order to support artists and creative arts workers.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Michelle Quinn, said: “A pilot of a Universal Basic Income scheme for the sector was promised in the Programme for Government and also in the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce published in November 2020. We welcome that this will now come into being at a time when the creative sector is only beginning to emerge from the negative impact of the pandemic. However, our members and the wider Arts community, who are not selected for the pilot scheme would like further information on when to expect the introduction of a Basic Income for all of those in the Arts and await to see how this scheme will work and what will happen to participants when the pilot project comes to an end.”
“During the somewhat truncated consultation process relating to the creation of this scheme, we also raised a number of issues in relation to accessibility for artists with disabilities. The operation of the scheme will hopefully provide us with clarity on how it will deal with accessibility issues in practice.”
Ms Quinn added: “The pandemic restrictions had a massively negative impact on the Arts, particularly for those in the live performance sector. The Government supported artists over the past two years, which provides the basis on which to rebuild a sector which is of crucial importance to our society and the wider economy. Our members expect that the pilot scheme announced today can assist with the recovery of the Arts in Ireland and they will work with the Government to ensure it is a success.”
The application portal will open from 1pm on Tuesday April 12th 2022 and remain open until May 12. Practicing artists, creative arts workers and recently trained applicants are all eligible to apply for the pilot scheme.
All applicants must be 18 years of age or older, based in the Republic of Ireland, in a position to evidence their creative practice or career in the arts and tax compliant.