Skip to content
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Happy News

Ireland’s Artist Program Shows Unthinkable Success

Ireland has announced that its groundbreaking basic income program for artists will become permanent starting in 2026, after a pilot program launched in 2022 delivered stunning economic results that exceeded all expectations and generated nearly 80 million euros in total benefits from a 72 million euro investment. Under the program, 2,000 selected artists receive weekly payments of approximately 325 euros, which translates to about $375 per week or roughly $1,500 per month, allowing them to focus on their creative work without worrying about commercial viability or taking non-arts jobs to survive. An independent evaluation by UK-based consultants Alma Economics found that the program provides approximately 1.39 euros back to the state for every single euro invested, with recipients’ arts-related income increasing by more than 500 euros per month on average while their reliance on other social welfare programs declined by about 100 euros monthly.

Applications for the permanent program will open in September 2026 with eligibility criteria broadened to encompass even more artistic disciplines, and the government plans to potentially expand to 2,200 participants if additional funding becomes available with incremental growth planned over time. The program operates completely independently of social welfare and is not means tested, meaning artists don’t have to prove poverty to qualify, and recipients reported reduced financial stress, more time spent on creative work, and dramatically improved overall wellbeing throughout the pilot period. A public consultation revealed overwhelming support with 97 percent of over 17,000 respondents backing the move to make the scheme permanent, though opinions were split on selection methods with 47 percent preferring economic need, 37.5 percent favoring artistic merit, and only 14 percent supporting random selection. Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland’s minister for culture, communications, and sport, emphasized that the economic return on this investment in artists and creative workers is having an immediate positive impact on both the cultural sector and the overall Irish economy, while the report estimated that a scaled-up permanent program would likely result in artists producing 22 percent more work while lowering the average cost of art to consumers by 9 to 25 percent.

Source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/ireland-basic-income-artists-program-permanent-1234756981/

PrevPreviousThe Positive Benefits of This Diet Will Shock You
NextFinland Teaches 3 Year Olds To Spot Fake NewsNext

Recent Articles

Happy News

The Phone Policy That’s Changing California Classrooms Forever

January 23, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom signed groundbreaking legislation requiring every California school district, charter school, and county office of education to limit or prohibit smartphone use on campus by July 2026, marking a major victory for student mental health and academic success. The Phone-Free School Act responds to overwhelming research showing that

Read More
Happy News

The Cancer Survival Number That’s Making History

January 23, 2026

For the first time in history, seven in ten people now live at least five years after their cancer diagnosis, marking an extraordinary milestone that the American Cancer Society announced represents decades of progress in the fight against this devastating disease. The groundbreaking 70 percent five year survival rate stands

Read More
Happy News

What This Teacher Did For 61 Years Broke A World Record

January 23, 2026

Glenda Akin, 84, has officially been certified by Guinness World Records as the longest serving female teacher at the same school after dedicating 61 years and 43 days to Westmoreland High School in Tennessee, where she worked both as a classroom teacher and later as the school librarian. The remarkable

Read More
« Previous Next »
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 HappyNews.