We studied what happened when financially struggling artists received $1,000 a month, no strings attached, for 18 months

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Impact of AI on Traditional Creative Work: The rise of artificial intelligence is making it harder for traditional creatives such as photographers and technical writers to earn a living by competing with AI-generated work.
Guaranteed Income for Artists: Creatives in New York were part of a significant basic income program aimed at improving the financial stability of artists and recognizing their work’s value.
Program Details: The Guaranteed Income for Artists initiative provided 2,400 artists with $1,000 monthly starting in June 2022, funded primarily by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Study Findings: Artists responded by spending more time on artistic pursuits and less time on low-value, survival-oriented work, aligning with the “work-preference” model, indicating that they often value the creative process itself above financial gain.
Earnings Results: While monthly payments led to lower earnings from non-art work, total earnings didn’t increase since income volatility in creative fields remains high.
Implications for Policy: The study suggests cash can buy more time for valued work, rather than necessarily increasing overall income; this insight is critical given the ongoing debates about basic income in the context of AI advancements.
Open Questions: Longer-term follow-ups are needed to determine whether increased time spent on artistic work leads to sustainable changes and new income opportunities.