New York, NY – Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) today released findings from its groundbreaking Guaranteed Income for Artists Impact Study, which analyzed the effects of providing $1,000 monthly payments to 2,400 artists across New York State for 18 months. The study reveals the profound benefits of guaranteed income (GI) on artists’ financial stability, creative output, and overall well-being — offering critical insights for funders, policymakers, and advocates in the cash transfer space.
The study is presented through seven research briefs that explore key themes: demographics of artists, spending patterns, financial well-being, artists’ labor, juggling responsibilities, health and well-being, and community/family impacts.
Key findings from the study include:
- Guaranteed income enabled artists to spend more time on their artistic practice: Participating artists spent 19% more hours on their arts-related labor
- Guaranteed income allowed artists to spend more time with their families: 75% of caregiving artists in the program reported improved work-life balance
- Artists, like others who receive guaranteed income, used the payments to address basic needs: GI participants experienced a 19% reduction in food insecurity
- Artists significantly improved their physical and mental health: GI participants reported a 29% reduction in severe anxiety and depression
Conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers representing Family Economic Policy Lab at Appalachian State University, Indiana University Center for Cultural Affairs, Cash Transfer Lab at New York University, the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, and the City University of New York, the Guaranteed Income for Artists Impact Study underscores the transformative potential of cash transfer programs tailored to specific populations like artists. By addressing systemic inequities and enabling creative workers to focus on their craft, guaranteed income initiatives can foster vibrant cultural landscapes while promoting economic stability at both individual and community levels.
"Before this program, I felt stuck — financial struggles and caregiving responsibilities left me disconnected from my art,” said an artist who took part in the program while caring for his disabled sibling. “The guaranteed income allowed me to reduce my work hours, focus on my craft, and even start therapy to prioritize my mental health. It wasn’t just financial relief; it was a lifeline back to my creativity."
"Artists represent a distinctive form of labor — often gig-based, undervalued, and precarious — yet their contributions are vital to our cultural and economic ecosystems. This study demonstrates that guaranteed income not only supports artists financially, but also enables this extremely diverse population to thrive creatively while enriching their communities,” said Creatives Rebuild New York Executive Director Sarah Calderon. “For those seeking innovative solutions to support creative economies, these findings make a compelling case for investing in artists as essential workers."
The full study is available on CRNY’s website.
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CONTACT: Saadia Van Winkle
About Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY):
Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) is a three-year, $125 million initiative that provided guaranteed income and employment opportunities to 2,700 artists across New York State. CRNY believes that artists are workers who deserve equitable, sustainable support structures, and that improving the lives of artists is paramount to the vitality of New York State’s collective social and economic wellbeing. Fiscally sponsored by Tides Center, CRNY represents a $125 million funding commitment, anchored by $115 million from the Mellon Foundation and $5 million each from the Ford Foundation and Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Learn more at creativesrebuildny.org.
