Minnesota Artists Thrive with Basic Income Program
A groundbreaking basic income program in Minnesota has provided a lifeline for 75 artists, offering them $9,000 over 18 months to navigate financial challenges and pursue their creative endeavors. The initiative, developed by Springboard for the Arts, an independent nonprofit, has shown promising results in alleviating poverty and improving overall well-being.
Torri Hanna, a fiber artist and owner of a yarn store in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is one of the program’s beneficiaries. The $500 monthly payments allowed her to juggle family and business obligations, replace a damaged car, cover credit card debts, and even purchase a new home.
“The guaranteed monthly income acted as a safety net during a tough period in my life,” Hanna said. She explained how the consistent income helped her better plan household finances and navigate an eight-month period of providing round-the-clock care to her elderly mother.
The program, which randomly selected participants from a pool of artists who received financial aid during the pandemic, has demonstrated the power of direct cash payments. Early results show that recipients spent the majority of their monthly payments on essential expenses such as retail purchases, food, housing, and transportation.
Other artists reported similar positive experiences. Jess Torgerson was able to quit her full-time job to focus on personal artwork and freelance career, while Kandace Creel Falcón found financial freedom to work as a full-time artist.
The success of this pilot program has sparked discussions about expanding such initiatives. With plans to include a fresh cohort of rural artists for the next five years, the program aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of direct cash assistance for potential state and federal interventions.
As governments and charities worldwide explore similar initiatives, the Minnesota artist program stands as a testament to the potential of guaranteed basic income in supporting financial stability, fostering creativity, and recognizing the critical role artists play in communities.
