This photo taken on February 25, 2026 shows author and filmmaker Seanán Kerr posing with self portraits at his unit at HX Village studios in Dublin. In 2022 Ireland began paying 2,000 practising artists a no-strings-attached guaranteed weekly stipend of 325 euros for three years. The "Basic Income for the Arts" (BIA) initiative is a first for Ireland, and unique in Europe, attracting interest from other nations such as Germany and Finland. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH Entertainment-Ireland-arts-culture-wages,REPORTAGE by Peter MURPHY