An online interactive discussion to explore what a basic income would mean for artists in Scotland and their creative practice on 15 June 2026, 6.30pm – 8pm.
Financial insecurity is increasingly a barrier between artists and their creative practice – but there is another way.
A universal basic income is the idea that everyone should have an unconditional, regular cash payment that covers their basic needs as a right. Basic Income Network Scotland are convening a group of artists, arts organisations and arts unions to discuss how a basic income for artists can be explored in Scotland.
A new Scottish Parliament has been elected. Now is the moment. We must make sure a basic income for artists pilot is delivered in this Parliament.The SNP have been re-elected. They said if this happened they would deliver a basic income for artists pilot.
Ireland piloted a targeted basic income for artists after a recommendation from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce Ireland during COVID lockdowns. 2000 artists received a weekly payment of €325 for 2.5 years from 2022 – 2025. The scheme was shown to return €1.39 for every €1 invested. The Irish Government recently announced that they would be making their Basic Income for Artists Scheme permanent.
Basic Income Network Scotland and Basic Income Conversation are hosting this event to:
– Discuss what a basic income would mean for artists in Scotland and their creative practice
– Bring together artists, arts organisations and arts unions to consider the challenges for artists in Scotland and how a basic income might impact them
– Share some insight into universal basic income and the basic income for artists scheme in Ireland
– Explore what next steps we might want to take to make the case for a basic income for artists in Scotland
Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/basic-income-for-artists-in-scotland-online-2/.
If you can’t make this event sign up to their mailing list via https://tinyurl.com/4wxru7rk for future updates, events and resources (if you’re coming to this event, you can sign up to the mailing list when registering).
For further information, please contact basicincomeforartists@gmail.com (Cleo/Anna) or visit https://actionnetwork.org/events/basic-income-for-artists-in-scotland-online-2/.
