Exploring a Basic Income for the Arts in Scotland

Freelance artists in Scotland, like Glasgow-based Kirsty McArthur, are increasingly facing financial instability due to low pay, inconsistent work, and rising living costs. McArthur, who balances her visual art practice with various jobs, expresses a common sentiment among creatives: "I am so close to burnout - all the time." Unions and experts have raised alarms about the difficulties many artists encounter in making a sustainable living.

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

In response to these challenges, there is a growing movement in Scotland advocating for a basic income for artists. This initiative aims to provide direct financial support to creatives, similar to a scheme successfully implemented in Ireland. Leading figures in the Scottish arts community, including the national poet Peter MacKay and Donald Shaw, Creative Director of the Celtic Connections music festival, are calling for the Scottish government to adopt such a program. MacKay argues that a basic income would significantly enrich the cultural landscape, stating, "There will be new things on the television, new things on the radio... new novels on the shelves."

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

Ireland introduced the 'Basic Income for the Arts' pilot scheme in 2022, which has since been deemed a success and made permanent. Actor Brían Ó Súilleabháin, who benefited from the program, described it as "life-changing," allowing him to pursue acting without the pressure of returning to a day job. The Irish government found that for every €1 invested in the scheme, it contributed €1.39 to the wider economy, highlighting the potential economic benefits of supporting the arts.

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has acknowledged the need for a more direct funding model for artists and is "looking into" how a basic income scheme could be implemented. He noted that the current funding approach often favors arts organizations over individual artists, which has led to calls for a more equitable distribution of resources. Unions such as the Scottish Artists' Union and Equity are also advocating for this shift, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by freelancers in the arts sector.

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

Despite the enthusiasm for a basic income, some critics question the feasibility of such a program given tight public finances. MacKay recognizes these concerns but believes the potential cultural benefits far outweigh the risks. He warns that without adequate support, many aspiring artists may abandon their dreams, leading to a decline in cultural diversity and innovation.

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

As discussions continue, the Scottish government is reviewing its funding strategies for the arts, with an additional £34 million pledged in the latest budget. The outcome of these deliberations could determine whether Scotland follows Ireland's lead in establishing a basic income for artists, potentially reshaping the landscape of the creative sector in the region.

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

• “I am so close to burnout - all the time,” — Kirsty McArthur, Artist

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

• “It was life-changing,” — Brían Ó Súilleabháin, Actor

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

• “If we don't have this support for art, it will be very, very difficult for many people even to imagine that they could be an artist,” — Peter MacKay, Scottish National Poet

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

• “A basic income. That would help,” — Donald Shaw, Creative Director of Celtic Connections

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?

• “This is about people making the most of their creative talents, and that pays back to society financially and in other ways,” — Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary

Should artists get a basic income like they do in Ireland?