5 ms·

Is it right to call this UBI? In Norway we have supported artists economically since at least the mid 1800s. Playwrights like Henrik Ibsen got paid by the gover

Is it right to call this UBI? In Norway we have supported artists economically since at least the mid 1800s. Playwrights like Henrik Ibsen got paid by the government after decisions by the Parliament. This is payment for contributing specifically to the cultural enrichment of the country while UBI as a system has no strings attached.

valdiorn 5y ago
Same in Iceland. We have something called "artist salary" where every year a handful of artists are selected to essentially be paid by the government to practice their craft. Opinions are however divided as there's always this debate about who is deemed worthy and who is not. This sounds very similar, but I think they'll have the same problem; who decides what art is worthy of being supported?
- rbanffy 5y ago
  > who decides what art is worthy of being supported? If the number of entrants exceeds the number of allowances, they are randomly selected. It's written in the article.
  - dagw 5y ago
    But not everybody gets to become an 'entrant' from what I gathered. From the article it sounds like you at the very least have to be "working in the fields of arts, culture, audio-visual, and live performance and events" to even apply. Does the truck driver who likes to jam with his mates in the garage or the nurse who paints water colors to relax in the evening get to apply? probably not.
NoboruWataya 5y ago
No it's not right to call it UBI because it's not universal, and in that regard I would point out that the government is not calling it UBI, but merely "basic income": https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/080b9-minister-catherine-martin-launches-online-consultation-on-pilot-basic-income-for-the-arts/ https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/080b9-minister-catherine... Most governments (including the Irish government) have supported artists to some degree in the past, through grants, etc. I think the main difference is that this is intended to be broader support and not tied to specific projects.

valdiorn 5y ago

Same in Iceland. We have something called "artist salary" where every year a handful of artists are selected to essentially be paid by the government to practice their craft. Opinions are however divided as there's always this debate about who is deemed worthy and who is not. This sounds very similar, but I think they'll have the same problem; who decides what art is worthy of being supported?

rbanffy 5y ago
> who decides what art is worthy of being supported? If the number of entrants exceeds the number of allowances, they are randomly selected. It's written in the article.
- dagw 5y ago
  But not everybody gets to become an 'entrant' from what I gathered. From the article it sounds like you at the very least have to be "working in the fields of arts, culture, audio-visual, and live performance and events" to even apply. Does the truck driver who likes to jam with his mates in the garage or the nurse who paints water colors to relax in the evening get to apply? probably not.

NoboruWataya 5y ago

No it's not right to call it UBI because it's not universal, and in that regard I would point out that the government is not calling it UBI, but merely "basic income": https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/080b9-minister-catherine-martin-launches-online-consultation-on-pilot-basic-income-for-the-arts/ https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/080b9-minister-catherine... Most governments (including the Irish government) have supported artists to some degree in the past, through grants, etc. I think the main difference is that this is intended to be broader support and not tied to specific projects.