75% of the ten Recommendations made have been implemented, 21% are in progress and 4% have been closed. The number one recommendation of the taskforce was the introduction of a basic income for the arts pilot scheme (BIA). €25m has been allocated to pilot the BIA in 2022 which is a key priority for Minister Martin. Significant work has been done to realise this as a practical and substantial support for the arts and cultural sector, with a stakeholder forum held on the 15th of December to inform key policy areas of the Scheme. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme will be launched early in 2022.
“The survival, recovery and sustainability of this sector is dependent on economic policy and decision-making in the short and long term. Taskforce members unanimously agreed that the establishment of a pilot basic income scheme in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sector was our top priority. This scheme has the potential to be genuinely transformative in terms of the sustainability of the sector” – Clare Duignan , Chair of the Arts and Culture Taskforce