The myth of the starving artist suggests that artists and creative professionals are meant to endure poverty to produce authentic, meaningful work.

Similar to the phrase of “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps,” these cultural narratives romanticize financial struggle as a rite of passage towards success. And to achieve success, all you need is personal grit and to just try a little harder…

Both the myth and phrase tend to disregard the necessary resources or systematic support that can lead to artistic success.

According to a study by Karol Jan Borowiecki, an economist at the University of Southern Denmark, a person with a $100,000 family income is twice as likely to become a professional artist as someone earning $50,000, while those from $1 million households are nearly ten times more likely than those from $100,000 ones.1

Meilan Solly from the Smithsonian magazine writes, “Major obstacles for individuals in creative fields include high entry costs and low financial return.”2 Art schools charge high tuition. Entry-level jobs pay little. Internships pay little (if at all). Portfolios take time to build. Income can be inconsistent. Obstacles are abundant to those without a financial foundation.

“Devoting yourself to the life of a ‘starving artist’ is a lot less risky if your family has enough money to make sure you don’t actually starve.”

- Kristen Bahler (Money)

A Permanent Basic Income Program for Artists Funded by the Government?!

From 2022 to 2025, Ireland conducted the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme, which provided 2,000 artists, drawn from a lottery system, a basic income of €325 a week (around $380). Designed to help the arts and culture sector recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s main objective was “to address the financial instability faced by many working in the arts.”3

Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland’s culture minister, calls it “the envy of the world.” He states, “The economic return from this investment in Ireland’s artists and creative-arts professionals has an immediate positive impact on the sector and on the economy in general. [It was important to keep the arts sector] resilient, sustainable, progressive, and accessible.”4

Ireland’s approximately €100 million investment paid off. For every €1.00 (around $1.18) invested, the pilot returned €1.39 (around $1.64) to the wider economy through tax revenue, welfare savings, and broader social benefits, according to a government-commissioned cost-benefit analysis.5

Due to the success of the three-year pilot, the Irish government extended it. Not as a pilot but as a permanent program.

“In recent years, some proponents of basic income have focused their efforts on providing regular financial support to artists, who can spend months or years working on unpaid creative projects. In New York, a private organization called Creatives Rebuild New York supported 2,400 creatives with $1,000 a month for three years following the pandemic.

Ireland’s program stands out because it’s both government-funded and—as of [October 2025]—permanent.”

- Ella Fieldman (Smithsonian Magazine)

What Would a Basic Income Mean For the Artists in Your Life (including yourself)?

The value of investing on the time and labor of creative professionals varies online:

Depending on your lived experiences and personal perspective on artistic careers, you may receive the news of Ireland’s BIA differently from the person next to you. You could be an artist yourself, a supporter of the arts, or maybe you rarely engage with the arts at all.

As the Bootstraps docuseries team, we work in a creative industry. Our team is made up of artists who have dedicated our time towards telling stories through the medium of documentary work. So we would love to know:

Would you pursue art as a career if you had a basic income? If so, what type of art?

Leave a comment

Universal Basic Income Explained - Free Money for Everybody? (10 min 5 sec)

Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell

Concise and easy to understand. Quick watch packed with information. And who doesn’t love fun animations? (Many more videos with fun animations to follow)

The Monsters, Inc. Argument for Basic Income (11 min 23 sec)

UBIVisuals — How to convert an economy based on fear to one based on joy by Scott Santens. Video Edit by Philippe Chabot. Based on a Ken Burak talk.

If you love Monsters, Inc. or cultural analysis on the movies we watch, this is for you.

Basic Income, explained (2 min 17 sec)

Vox — We know how to end poverty. So why don't we?

For anyone saying, “I don’t have time to watch these videos.” You can watch this video while you wait for your food to heat up.

(If this video is too short for you and you want to learn more, here’s their article on UBI.)

The case for a universal basic income | Free Lunch on Film (19 min 44 sec)

Financial Times — The coronavirus pandemic has opened the door to radical economic reform, argues FT columnist Martin Sandbu. A no-strings regular cash transfer to everyone could shake up the welfare system, bring new economic security, and create more opportunities for all.

A great watch overall. Best part (that feeds into Bootstraps’ bias towards storytelling) was the inclusion of interviews from Alaska Dividend recipients, which we mentioned in our previous post:

Poverty isn’t a lack of character; it’s a lack of cash | Rutger Bregman (14 min 58 sec)

TED — "Ideas can and do change the world," says historian Rutger Bregman, sharing his case for a provocative one: guaranteed basic income. Learn more about the idea's 500-year history and a forgotten modern experiment where it actually worked -- and imagine how much energy and talent we would unleash if we got rid of poverty once and for all.

For anyone who loves a TED talk. (Guess what, the speaker has a book too. Check out our previous post below.)

Why the U.S. Should Provide Universal Basic Income (3 min 20 sec)

The Atlantic — America is the richest civilization in history. Why, then, are our living standards so low compared to those of other wealthy democracies?

For anyone wondering if the concept of UBI could even work in the United States. (The narrator also has a book that we featured in the book recommendation post.)

The Case for Universal Basic Income in Post-Pandemic Canada (7 min 56 sec)

Global News — In 1974, Canada conducted a landmark basic income experiment in a rural town in Manitoba. Now, decades later, as countries struggle with high unemployment rates and a global recession in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, debate around whether Canada should have a national basic income has resurfaced.

For anyone wondering how UBI works in our post-pandemic world, particularly within post-pandemic Canada.

What other videos should we add to this list? Let us know below.

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Governments and researchers use these to measure how guaranteed security affects factors like mental health, employment, and community spending before deciding on permanent policies.1

While the concept of basic income is ancient, the first major trials in the United States began with the New Jersey Income Maintenance Experiment in 1968, followed by similar pilots in the 1970s.2

Many city-level and large-scale studies have continued into the 21st century, both in the U.S. and internationally. For Part 1, we’ll focus on four prominent examples of basic income trials in the U.S.

Example #1: Stockton, CA (2019 - 2021)

The Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), the U.S.'s first mayor-led guaranteed income trial, gave 125 selected residents from low-income neighborhoods (median income at or below $46,033) $500 monthly for two years, with no strings attached.3

Participants reported steadier incomes, better job prospects, and improved overall well-being. You can learn more about these results here.

Our favorite part of the SEED website is the inclusion of participant stories that emphasize the heart of UBI.

“Data alone doesn’t change hearts and minds, ​nor does it disrupt deep-seated social narratives about deservedness. Data also doesn’t challenge the racialized and gendered biases we hold, and that our policy decisions have codified. That’s why storytelling is embedded in SEED -- Stockton is an all-American city and a microcosm of this country; we’re confident that Stockton’s stories will be, too.”

Participants Stories — SEED

Example #2: Alaska (1982 - Present)

The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), established in 1976 to convert a non-renewable resource into a renewable financial resource for generations of Alaskans, provides each state resident, regardless of age, an annual payout funded by the state’s oil revenues. Since the first $1,000 distribution in 1982, the dividend has fluctuated significantly, reaching a record low of $331 in 1984 and a record high of $3,269 in 2008.4

A 1984 study found that 60% of Alaskans favored PFD while 29% had mixed feelings and 10% opposed it. On average, the 1982 recipients broke down their $1000 dividends:

• $450 for day-to-day expenses such as food, heat, and clothing

• $200 into savings

• $200 for federal taxes

• $100 for luxuries such as airline tickets and VCRs

• $50 for debt payments

Notably, these dividends stimulated more consumer spending, job creation, and population growth than alternative uses of public funds, such as tax cuts or infrastructure projects.5

A 2024 study found that PFD has been an unintentional but impactful social safety net. By analyzing Census and ACS data from 1990 to the present (adjusting for previously under-reported child income) research shows the PFD reduces Alaska’s poverty headcount by 20% to 40% annually. While its impact on overall income equality is modest, it is vital for vulnerable groups such as:

• Rural Indigenous Alaskans: Reduces poverty from 28% to under 22%.

• Children: Prevents a 50% spike in poverty (keeping rates at 10% vs. 15%).

• Seniors: Provides a critical income floor.6

Example #3: Baltimore, MA (2022 - 2024)

The Baltimore Young Families Success Fund (BYFSF), launched in 2022 by Mayor Brandon Scott, provided $1,000 monthly payments for two years to 130 young parents between the ages of 18 and 24. These parents faced inequalities, including school and daycare closures, unemployment, and housing or food insecurity, that were exacerbated by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.7

Participants reported better finances, fewer childcare-related work problems, and more interest in further education. They also experienced more stable homes, lower stress, and greater happiness in their roles as parents. You can learn more about these results here.

Once again, our favorite part is the inclusion of the participant stories on the Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard, where stories from BYFSF participants are featured along with other U.S.-based basic income pilots.

Storytellers are a diverse group of pilot participants who have volunteered to share their personal experiences in the program for a public audience. Spending data tells part of the story. But some of the most important stories are not in the numbers. Participant testimonies bring a diversity of lived experiences to the forefront of the conversation. The difficulties, challenges, and solutions they share help make sense of the data and are effective tools of narrative change.

Stories from participants — Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard

Example #4: Bootstraps (2018 - 2020)

Almost 10 years in the making, the Bootstraps docuseries follows 11 diverse American households for two and a half years as they participate in a groundbreaking basic income experiment. The award-winning film team is currently in post-production, turning thousands of hours of intimate footage into a multi-season TV show, anticipating release on a major streaming network in 2026.

To leverage the series to its fullest potential, the team is planning a national impact campaign of at least 100 free public screenings/events, a behind-the-scenes podcast, social media campaign, educational materials, and more to accompany the show’s release.

If you were part of a 2.5-year trial and received $1,000 extra a month, what is the first long-term change you would make in your life?

Leave a comment

Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen by Guy Standing
(Blackwells | ThriftBooks)

Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything by Matthew Johnson, Kate Pickett, Daniel Nettle, Howard Reed & Elliott Johnson
(Barnes & Noble | Better World Books | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber
(Barnes & Noble | Better World Books | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

The Coming Age of Imagination: How Universal Basic Income Will Lead to an Explosion of Creativity by Phil Teer
(AbeBooks | ThriftBooks)

The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice by Jamie Swift & Elain Power
(Books-A-Million | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

The Economics of Belonging: A Radical Plan to Win Back the Left Behind and Achieve Prosperity for All by Martin Sandbu
(Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

Give People Money: How a Universal Basic Income Would End Poverty, Revolutionize Work, and Remake the World by Annie Lowrey
(Barnes & Noble | Better World Books | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy by Natalie Foster
(Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop.org)

In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State by Charles Murray
(Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

Let There Be Money: Understanding Modern Monetary Theory and Basic Income by Scott Santens
(AbeBooks | Amazon)

Our Future: The Basic Income Plan for Peace, Justice, Liberty, Democracy, and Personal Dignity by Steven Shafarman
(ThriftBooks)

Quest for Dignity: The Right to Basic Income by Baljinder Sharma
(Amazon)

Raising the Floor: How Universal Basic Income Can Renew Our Economy and Rebuild the American Dream by Andy Stern & Lee Kravitz
(Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

Unconditional Freedom: Universal Basic Income and Social Power by David Casassas
(Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World by Rutger Bregman
(Barnes & Noble | Better World Books | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

The War on Normal People: The Truth About America’s Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future by Andrew Yang
(Barnes & Noble | Better World Books | Bookshop.org | ThriftBooks)

What other books should we add to this list? Let us know below.

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The phrase originated in the 19th century as a humorous, impossible task like lifting yourself over a fence by your shoelaces. By the 1920s, it had lost its irony, becoming a serious piece of advice that suggests anyone can achieve success through willpower and hard work alone.1

This modern interpretation ignores systemic barriers like inequality and poverty, and instead blames individuals for problems they can’t control and attempts to absolve us of our collective responsibility to help one another.2

The phrase blames individuals for systemic problems. The original meaning was a sarcastic jab at the idea of succeeding without any help at all. Somewhere along the way, it became a demeaning piece of advice used to blame people for not being able to overcome massive systemic barriers.

But what if we redefined it?

What if we gave everyone the security to truly lift themselves up?

Could Universal Basic Income (UBI) be a foundational “bootstrap” that allows people to take risks, return to school, or simply find peace of mind?

Bootstraps, a docuseries

We’re on a journey to explore this very idea.

Our docuseries follows 11 diverse households from across the United States participating in a groundbreaking universal basic income experiment.

With the help of a basic income, they are redefining what it means to build a better future on their own terms. Release date TBA.

What do you think about the phrase? What opportunities do you think a basic income could unlock for you?

Leave a comment

It is an simple yet powerful web tool for understanding how various basic income plans would affect you by exploring the following questions:

• How does it affect you?

• Who else gains income?

• How does this impact U.S. citizens?

• How is this plan paid for?

• How does this plan impact the deficit?

How to Use

Enter your income, family details, and any Social Security/assistance income to compare various UBI plans side-by-side.

Hold On a Second… What is UBI?

Universal Basic Income (UBI, unconditional basic income, basic income) is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without any work requirement.

A growing number of people believe that basic income could be a viable and powerful strategy for addressing poverty, social mobility, economic inequality, labor market instability, and a host of other issues.

A fundamentally new approach to societal and economic governance, UBI has plenty of detractors from all walks of life and political leanings as well.

The most common concerns/fears people have about UBI are:

1. the possibility of inflation

2. prohibitive cost

3. a raise in taxes on the middle class to pay for it

4. a disincentive for people to find work, leading them to become lazy and/or non-contributing

The UBI Calculator web tool has been designed in an effort to analyze the validity of the first three of these common concerns with respect to specific UBI proposals in existence.

The UBI Calculator is as simple to use as it is to share. These estimates are a powerful way for you to start exploring the possibilities of universal basic income.

Let us know what you think!

Leave a comment

1. Universal. Everyone gets it no matter your income, job status, or background.

2. Regular. Consistent payments provide a predictable income floor.

3. Unconditional. Spend it how you need. No strings attached.1

• Automation — Refers to the increasing use of machines and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to do jobs previously done by humans. As technology advances, many wonder if UBI could be a way to support people in a changing job market where human roles are shifting.2

• Basic Needs — The fundamental necessities for human well-being, like food, shelter, and clothing. UBI, by establishing a nonzero floor of income for all, would ensure that nobody is ever without income to put toward such essentials.3

• Dignity — Highlights the idea that providing a basic income can empower people, reduce the stress of financial insecurity, and lessen the stigma often associated with traditional welfare programs.4

• Economic Security — One of the main goals of Universal Basic Income (UBI). This means having a reliable financial foundation and enough support to manage everyday costs and unexpected financial surprises. UBI acts as a safety net by providing a regular income, giving people a stable base to build upon for their well-being.5

• Entrepreneurship — Some UBI advocates believe that a basic income could boost entrepreneurship by providing a financial safety net. This allows individuals the freedom to take risks and start new businesses without the immediate pressure of survival.6

• Funding Mechanisms — Refers to the various ways proposed to finance a basic income. This could include ideas like reforming taxes or reallocating money from existing government programs.7

• Guaranteed Income — While similar to UBI, Guaranteed Income focuses its regular, no-strings-attached cash payments on specific groups of people, often those with lower incomes or facing particular challenges. It’s about creating a financial safety net for defined populations, not everyone.8

• Negative Income Tax (NIT) — Unlike UBI’s upfront payment to everyone, Negative Income Tax (NIT) works through the tax system. If you earn below a certain income level, you receive money back from the government, like a tax credit or refund. This creates a safety net that gradually phases out as your income rises.9

• Pilot Program — A small-scale trial in a specific area or with a select group of people. This helps researchers study its effects and gather valuable insights before considering broader adoption.10

• Sustainability — Refers to whether a basic income program can be financially supported and continue to operate effectively over a long period.11

• Workforce Evolution — How jobs and the skills people need are constantly changing, often because of new technologies. This suggests a shift in roles rather than just a loss, with new opportunities emerging.12

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a type of basic income that has three key characteristics:

1. Universal. Everyone gets it no matter your income, job status, or background.

2. Regular. Consistent payments provide a predictable income floor.

3. Unconditional. Spend it how you need. No strings attached.

Versions of the concept has garnered support from a wide array of influential figures throughout history such revolutionary thinker Thomas Paine and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.2

UBI can offer a financial floor, providing a stable foundation to potentially help individuals and their families.

Common hopes of UBI include:

• Gain the freedom to explore career changes or entrepreneurship

• Have financial independence

• Pursue passions

• Improve work-life balance

• Increase resilience to challenges

• Reduce stress

• Helping victims of domestic violence

• Supporting unpaid care workers

• Fighting technological unemployment

• Discouraging low wages

• Redistributing wealth

• Eliminating the need for social security3

Common concerns of UBI include:

• Cost of implementation

• Remove the incentive to work

• Philosophical counterarguments questioning if money is a birthright4

UBI and Your Life

This concept sparks a lot of debate, but we want to know what you think first.

BOOTSTRAPS aims to explore the heart of UBI through our upcoming docuseries and with our online community.

Behind every statistic and economic concept is a real person hoping for a little ease and a little more breathing room. What would you gain? What would you reclaim?

Leave a comment

What We Do

Instead of starting at $0, what if you had a financial foundation to build on?

Bootstraps explores the human experience of Universal Basic Income (UBI), encouraging an open discussion around the potential and real-world impact of an unconditional paycheck on everyday people like you.

Our Upcoming Docuseries

Imagine if UBI wasn’t a dream but a reality. What happens in the lives of everyday Americans when they receive $1000 per month, no strings attached?

BOOTSTRAPS is a docuseries that investigates the concept of universal basic income and the realities and impacts it would have on everyday America. Twenty Americans from all walks of life have just been guaranteed an unconditional paycheck every week that provides them an income floor.

What will they do with this opportunity?

What if this weren’t a lucky break for a few, but a government policy for all?

What would you do with it?

If you had the freedom to be independent of and unbeholden to any other person or employer for a source of life-sustaining income, the freedom from fear of homelessness and hunger, what would you dare to pursue?

Why Subscribe?

By subscribing, you’ll join this conversation within our online community and get a front-row seat to our upcoming docuseries. This series follows 11 diverse households across the U.S. through a groundbreaking 2.5-year basic income experiment that profoundly reshaped their lives and communities.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

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Learn More About

The Idea: New to the concept of Universal Basic Income? Get to know the fundamentals of UBI and how it works.

The Filmmakers: Learn about the team who dedicated 9 years of hard work to bringing these powerful stories to the screen.

The Bootstrappers: Eleven diverse households. Eleven unique stories. Meet the participants in this groundbreaking basic income trial.

The Screening Tour: We’re taking the film on the road in 2026! Request to host a screening for your organization, university, or community, or sign up to be notified when the film is coming to a city near you!

Join the Screening Tour