Photo credit: BBC
Sonja Sleator, a Belfast-based singer-songwriter, highlights the heavy financial burden of pursuing a career in music. From buying instruments and paying for lessons to covering travel expenses for gigs and funding initial recordings from personal savings, the costs quickly accumulate. “Being a musician is a really expensive way” to work, she said, explaining how much of this expense “comes out of my own pocket.” She believes that an artists’ fund would enable creatives to produce more work, invest time in their passion, and ultimately support local venues by attracting audiences to live performances.
In 2026, being a musician entails more than just performing; artists often manage their own social media, book their shows, and release music independently. Sleator emphasised the challenges involved, noting that musicians must pay for studio time, fuel to reach venues, and rehearsal spaces. Although some grants exist in Northern Ireland, access to financial support remains limited. A Department for Communities spokesperson acknowledged the value artists contribute to society but stated there are “currently no provision in the budget and no plans at this stage to replicate” programs akin to basic income schemes for artists.
Islandmagee-based singer and pianist Lisa Dawson outlined the security a regular income could provide, especially during quieter periods. While she works as a teacher for much of the year, summer months often come with little to no pay. “A basic income would really get you through those couple of months,” she noted, stressing the importance of planning ahead due to inconsistent earnings and describing grant availability as “almost impossible” to access. Many of Dawson’s projects have been self-funded, with occasional funding coming from local councils when they have secured grants themselves.
Singer-songwriter Susie Blue from Belfast echoed calls for financial backing, saying that such support would allow musicians to focus solely on their craft. “Art isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” she asserted, adding that most musicians balance their art with day jobs ranging from cafes to offices or even within the arts sector itself. Blue pointed out that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, backed by the Department for Communities and the National Lottery, offers some grants but “they can’t help everyone” and “you’re very lucky if you get those grants.” She described the uncertainty artists face, with funding often unpredictable and making it difficult to plan future projects.
Meanwhile, Dublin-based singer-songwriter Alison O’Donnell, aged 73, who was among the first recipients of Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative, praised the scheme as “the envy of a lot of countries.” Having spent nearly three decades in music and unable to claim a pension, O’Donnell found BIA invaluable. The financial support permitted her to invest in promotion, production, and collaborations with other musicians, saying the funding “made a huge difference.” Additionally, it afforded her more time to assist fellow musicians and manage life responsibilities, with O’Donnell remarking, “I’m able to give a bit more of my time because I feel a bit more supported by getting the BIA.”
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