Agreed. Can just all myself an artist to get other people's tax money?

crossbody · 2026-02-12T02:11:48 1770862308

there is art in getting other people's tax money, so yes

rpdillon · 2026-02-12T03:16:51 1770866211

It seems there are 2000 positions and 8000 applicants. The program cost $74M, but more than paid for itself:

> It also recouped more than the trial's net cost of 72 million euros ($86 million) through increases in arts-related expenditure, productivity gains and reduced reliance on other social welfare payments, according to a government-commissioned cost-benefit analysis.

SoftTalker · 2026-02-12T04:09:57 1770869397

They were wise to limit it, otherwise Ireland would see an unprecidented rise in the number of artists in its population.

RealityVoid · 2026-02-12T05:27:29 1770874049

Oh, the horror.

ua709 · 2026-02-12T05:13:35 1770873215

It’s also not permanent. It’s for three years and then once off one can’t apply to the program for another three years.

Reminds me of the WPA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Art_Project