Ireland is finally backing creativity.
Basic income, new funds, “Made Local” campaigns, mainstream media coverage all pointing to the same truth:
Creatives are essential for Ireland.
The work, the legacy, the golden thread woven for centuries that props up the brand of Ireland, is getting named for what it is: core infrastructure, not decoration.
It is time.
But it only matters if we stay real about what we do with it.
This moment needs a sector voice.
Not a scatter of silos.
Visual artists over here, crafters over there, fashion in its lane, film and music in theirs… and all of you telling the same stories about isolation and craving cross‑discipline connection.
Underneath it all, we share the same gold: a practice and a deep, stubborn belief in creativity itself.
That’s what needs protecting now. Not just programmes, not just headlines.
That’s why our community space inside The Biscuit Factory will be FREE.
The goal is simple: gather as many parts of the Irish creative sector as possible into one protected place, away from the scroll, the ads and the quiet pressure to perform for Meta’s feed.
A home for real talk about money, funding, visibility and the future of our sector, without feeling watched, ranked or harvested for data.
Artists, makers, designers, crafters, writers, musicians… if you’re tired of shouting into separate Facebook groups, Zoom rooms and DMs, this is your invitation.
Stay awake.
Stay weird.
Stay together.
January 2026.
Hop on the waitlist (link in bio) and help build a free, independent Irish creative base, outside the spies of Meta.
It is time.
Women don’t need fixing.
Creatives don’t either.
Sonya Lennon put words on something I’ve been feeling for years and it maps onto what I see everyday day in the creative sector.
The problem isn’t the people.
It’s the system.
For now let’s follow @kylacobblercomedy lead and do some more growling! 😊
Thanks Kyla 🧡
Off I go to travel to Donegal.
Tomorrow at 2pm in Letterkenny @regionalculturalcentre I will deliver a keynote for @donegalwomeninbizz -
The Business of being Creative.
A topic very dear to my heart 🧡
I am excited to experience the north west - it’s been a while.
If you are in the area I think there are a few tickets left. It will be a chance to get out of that studio, listen, learn and most importantly of all- CONNECT to people who understand the work!
Donegal let’s be having ya!!! Whooop!!!
Tickets go here @donegalwomeninbizz
#keepcreative
Working alone and deep in focus on projects can trigger that yuk feeling of loneliness.
I was feeling it and knew I had to get out and be around the people that hold the gold. Creatives!!! I fucking adore them 🧡
I don’t think I could spend so many hours with any other humans. I never feel that depleted exhausted after our meet ups - I feel like my cup is full and nourished.
Real conversations - the raw meaningful connections that actually mean something.
Thank you to all the Biscuit Factory community members for carving space for me and each other and to @louthcraftmark for inviting me to be part of the AGM.
April was alive and I am looking forward to more of that this month!
Fuck being lonely gang - get out and surround yourself with the people who fill your cup, not deplete it. 🧡🧡🧡
The Biscuit Factory is always open for new members . Link in bio
#keepcreative
Good fucking morning… remember you important - your voice matters and YOU as the human who creates the work - are very valuable in today’s world x
Have a “ I am fucking amazing day today “
Always in your corner
#keepcreative 🧡
Tara
Reminder: closing date 5pm Tuesday 12th May to apply for the Basic Income for the Arts ( BIA) @deptculturecommssport .
You’ve got this!
Close tabs, focus and get it done.
See ya for a spin afterwards!
#keepcreative
Tara x
Calling all Creatives up north!
An afternoon of discussion, inspiration and connection.
This is not just for women or members of Donegal women in business...this is an open event for anyone who wants to connect with their creativity, meet other creative people and feel energised to keep following your passion.
Working solo is hard.
We stay in our heads a lot.
But we are not alone in that - even though it feels very lonely at times.
Attending these types of events are very important.
1. To get out of our day to day
2. To feel inspired & supported in our businesses
3. To open up the mind to a new way of doing things.
Join the @donegalwomeninbizz in @regionalculturalcentre in Letterkenny May 15th from 2-6pm.
Tickets go to @donegalwomeninbizz or copy& paste
/events/donegalwomeninbusiness/2169222
A brilliant reminder from @shesfitandfunny to unclench your jaw, relax those shoulders and smile. Our bodies hold so much of our angst.. let’s help release it!
Good luck with the last week of basic income for the arts applications!
💪🧡💪#keepcreative
This one has been sitting with me for a while.
I’ve been trying to explain what The Biscuit Factory is becoming… and every time I say “creative community” it feels too small.
Because when you’re actually in the room with creatives every week, you start to see what’s really going on.
We are not just discussing marketing tips or sales advice.
We are gathering around discussions because something bigger is shifting.
We can feel that work feels less stable with AI advancements.
The old paths feel less clear.
And instead of pulling back, humans are moving toward creativity.
To make things.
To be around others who care.
To feel useful in a way that isn’t defined by an algorithm.
I see it every day.
And it’s made something click again for me:
Creativity isn’t a “nice to have”.
It is infrastructure. ( you have heard me talk about this before )
But we’re still talking about artists like they are a side project.
Keeping the sector small and apologetic.
It’s time to flip that. Not just from an “artists deserve better” perspective (which is absolutely true), but because this is about to become essential in a very different kind of world.
So I wrote this properly - what I’m seeing, what I think is coming, and why I’m building Biscuits the way I am.
If you’re trying to build a creative life (or even thinking about it), this is for you.
Full piece on Substack → link in bio
You are not the problem, the communication is.
Over the last week we’ve watched:
Rules appear on a membership body’s website that aren’t in the official gov.ie guidelines
Rules then quietly change again after pressure.
Artists, VAI ( Visual Artists Ireland ) staff and community organisers absorb all the stress, while the Department stays almost silent.
If you’ve felt confused, anxious or like you must have “missed something” you haven’t.
The goalposts really did move.
Here’s what we understand right now for VAI members using VAI as one of their BIA proofs:
The official BIA rules still say:
You need 3 proofs of practice, with at least 2 from Irish organisations, and VAI is listed as one possible “membership” proof.
After VAI’s latest update, the Department will now accept screenshots of VAI Professional Digital Membership Cards, but only if a single, unedited screenshot clearly shows:
Membership type: Professional Member
VAI membership number
Valid membership dates
Your passport‑style photo on the membership page
The VAI URL, showing you are on the VAI website
They have also said earlier applications that used screenshots will be honoured as long as the screenshot already met those criteria.
If I’ve missed something here, or if your experience of the process looks different, please share it in the comments so we can build a clearer picture together.
And to the Department and other decision‑makers: you are very welcome to show up in the comments too.
Artists shouldn’t have to crowd‑source basic clarity on a national income scheme – we’d love to see you engaging openly and directly with the people this policy is meant to support.
Share this with anyone drowning in BIA panic. You deserve clear rules, in one place, in plain language – not rumours and last‑minute fixes.
Take a breath - lets stay kind and supportive of each other - that goes to the department too!
Lets dip everything in kindness - it goes a long way gang x
Good luck !!! and thanks to the team at @visualartistsireland for working so hard to try and support artists of Ireland.
The application process for the Basic Income for the Arts is now open. 🕺
This is what we wanted but godammit the pain is real!
Sending focus and lots of cursing tokens as you tackle the impending yawn fest of the 70 question survey, second guessing everything you put forward and the hours of wondering if anyone preparing application forms in government has ever talked to a creative person… like ever!
May the force be with you!!!!
Breath in … Jesus chriiiist
And out.. oh for fuck saaaake! Thanks to @bernardo.oshea for the brilliant tutorial
Always in your corner
🧡🤞
#keepcreative #irishartists #bia
*** Lots of messages re: 3 proof docs. I’ve added in a few but please check the full list at gov.ie. ***
The Basic Income for the Arts portal opens in 6 days. Yahooooooo!!! This is a great moment in Irish history for Artists.
Note this is just the beginning. There is of course, lots of work to do, but we have to start somewhere.
Stay positive, stay connected & know there are people working hard for this sector - huge shout out to the team @campaign4arts
Like most projects there are gaps in the guidelines. I have sent the department 18 questions so once they get back to me on those I will forward to ye.
@patrickodonovan_td@govie@deptculturecommssport
Follow so you don't miss those replies.
And in the meantime Ive dropped the link for the Sample Survey pdf in my bio.
‼️You have to complete the survey to apply. ‼️
Start with the checklist in the post and do the prep. Hit me with any questions in the comments 👇🏼 and know you have time, don't panic.
Step by step.
Always in your corner
#keepcreative
Tara x
