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Ireland introduces world’s first basic income scheme for artists

The Basic Income for Artists initiative is reportedly the world’s inaugural permanent program of its kind.

The Irish government is set to introduce a financial support scheme for artists, providing a weekly stipend of €325 (£283) to help them pursue their creative work.

Two people are playing acoustic guitars outside. One is in focus and the other is blurry. One of the people is wearing a beige jacket and the other is wearing a leather jacket.
The Basic Income for the Arts programme follows a pilot scheme launched to help the arts sector recover after Covid-19

According to Ireland's Culture Minister, Patrick O'Donovan, the Basic Income for the Arts initiative makes the country a pioneer in artist support, offering a permanent solution that is reportedly the first of its kind worldwide.

A total of 2,000 artists will be chosen to participate in the scheme, which will commence after the application process opens in May, with each recipient receiving the weekly payment for a period of three years.

This permanent initiative follows a pilot program launched in 2022, aimed at revitalizing the arts and culture sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister O'Donovan highlighted the pilot's success, noting that every €1 (£0.87) invested yielded a return of €1.39 (£1.21), while also enabling artists to focus more on their craft and improving their overall well-being.

The Culture Minister described the permanent scheme as a significant achievement, designed to support the long-term careers of selected artists and retain their talent within the arts sector.

O'Donovan emphasized that research on the pilot program consistently showed its positive impact on recipients, as well as the challenges artists face in Ireland due to financial insecurity.

He urged artists from across the country to apply, ensuring that the selected participants represent a diverse range of artistic disciplines and practices.

Ireland's Department of Culture has announced that the 2,000 available spots will be filled through an anonymous random selection process, giving each applicant an equal opportunity to be chosen.

The department will release detailed application guidelines in April, outlining the eligibility criteria, which will be used to assess applicants.

To be eligible, artists must meet specific requirements, which will be outlined in the forthcoming guidelines.

Although the department anticipates a large number of applications, it notes that not all eligible artists can be funded, but those who are not selected in 2026 will have the opportunity to reapply in 2029.

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Entertainment And Arts

Ryan Reynolds’ Children Tired of Hearing About Wrexham

Actor Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in Deadpool, frequently encounters fans on the street who want to discuss his acquisition of the football club.

Ryan Reynolds, star of the Deadpool franchise, has revealed that his children often become exasperated when he is approached by fans on the street who want to discuss Wrexham, the football club he co-owns.

Headshot of Ryan Reynolds at the football pitch. He has dark brown hair and is wearing a white jumper with a green gilet over the top, There's a brown scarf-like item around his neck.
Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds says he is now a "Wrexham lifer"

The actor has admitted that he always makes time for fans who want to talk about the club, a habit that tends to annoy his three daughters and son, who often have to wait while he chats with supporters.

In February 2021, Reynolds partnered with Rob Mac, star of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, to purchase Wrexham, the world's third-oldest professional football club, marking a new chapter in the club's history.

In a recent interview with The New York Times' Athletic, the co-owners acknowledged that, even after five years, they still do not fully comprehend the sport, but Reynolds affirmed his commitment to the club, stating that he is now "a Wrexham lifer".

Prior to the involvement of Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham AFC was facing significant challenges, having been relegated from the Football League in 2008.

Rob, left, and Ryan hold the Championship trophy on the pitch.  Rob is wearing a dark-coloured polo shirt and Ryan is wearing a red hoody
Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham AFC in February 2021

In 2011, the club was taken over by its supporters in a bid to prevent it from going out of business, a move that ultimately helped to secure its future.

Since Reynolds and Mac acquired the club, now valued at £350m, Wrexham has achieved three consecutive promotions, elevating the team to the Championship.

Mac has credited the Sunderland FC Netflix documentary 'Til I Die as the inspiration behind his decision to purchase a football club, sparking his interest in the sport.

Mac recalled being drawn to the community of Wrexham, stating that the people reminded him of those he grew up with, creating a sense of connection to the town and its residents.

The faces of the people in Wrexham, Mac noted, were familiar, evoking a sense of nostalgia and shared experience that resonated with him.

At the time, Reynolds and Mac had not met in person, their only interaction being an Instagram message from Reynolds praising Mac's work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Mac reached out to Reynolds via email, sending a lengthy message that would eventually lead to their partnership, as the club's takeover required significant financial investment, which Reynolds could provide.

The email proved persuasive, capturing Reynolds' attention and sparking his interest in the project, which would ultimately lead to their collaboration.

After joining forces, the pair began searching for a club to invest in, and their journey was documented in the Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which earned 10 Emmy awards.

Reynolds' children have grown accustomed to their father's fame, but they become frustrated when he is stopped on the street by people who want to discuss Wrexham, rather than his acting career.

Reynolds noted that conversations about Deadpool tend to be brief, lasting only a few seconds, whereas discussions about Wrexham can be more in-depth, causing his children to become impatient.

When someone approaches him to talk about Wrexham, Reynolds often engages in a lengthy conversation, much to the dismay of his children, who are left waiting.

Under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson, the team is now focused on achieving its first-ever promotion to the Premier League.

Mac, Reynolds and Lively in the stands of the Racecourse
Reynolds [centre], pictured with Mac and wife Blake Lively

Reynolds confessed that he has become deeply invested in the team's success, stating that he is "inconsolable" when Wrexham loses, demonstrating the depth of his emotional connection to the club.

Reynolds acknowledged that he has never been as invested in a team's winning and losing before, highlighting the significant impact that Wrexham has had on his life.

Mac outlined the pair's plans for the club's future, including the completion of the Kop stand at The Racecourse ground, which would increase the stadium's capacity.

Wrexham AFC on the pitch for their promotion celebration. Player holding a trophy, with champagne thrown
The club earned their third consecutive promotion in 2025, and are now hoping to win a place in the Premier League

In addition to their goals for the club, Reynolds and Mac hope to establish a program focused on arts and entrepreneurship at the local Glyndwr university, aiming to attract more students to the area.

Mac explained that their vision is to create a sustainable model that combines arts and business, drawing people to Wrexham and encouraging them to stay and contribute to the local community.

Mac expressed his desire to see the team win the Premier League and the Champions League, but emphasized that the club's success must be accompanied by the town's prosperity, as the two are inextricably linked.

Mac stated that if Wrexham as a town is unsuccessful, despite the club's achievements, then they will have failed in their mission to make a positive impact on the community.

Reynolds views the club as the heart of the community, serving as a central gathering place that brings people together, much like a community center or church.

Reynolds believes that the club performs a vital function in the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among its members.

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Entertainment And Arts

BBC Announces Massive Cost-Cutting Measures Totalling Hundreds of Millions of Pounds

On Thursday, the departing director general informed employees of the savings via an internal call.

The BBC has announced plans to reduce its expenditure by approximately 10% due to significant financial constraints.

BBC logo on the front of New Broadcasting House
The BBC's total public service spending last year was more than £4bn

The broadcaster aims to achieve these savings over a three-year period, starting from the current fiscal year.

Although a specific figure was not disclosed, the BBC's public service budget for the previous year exceeded £4bn, providing context for the potential scale of the cuts.

At present, the BBC has not revealed which programmes or services will be impacted by the cost-cutting measures.

These new reductions are in addition to the £150m in savings that the BBC must still identify by March 2028 as part of its existing cost-saving initiative.

Tim Davie, the outgoing director general who will be leaving the BBC in April, informed staff of the planned savings on Thursday.

According to a BBC spokesperson, the organisation has achieved savings of over £500m during the past three years, with a significant portion being reinvested in its content.

The spokesperson noted that the BBC continues to face substantial financial pressures amidst a rapidly evolving media landscape.

As a result, the corporation anticipates making further savings of around 10% of its costs over the next three years.

The goal of these efforts is to enhance the BBC's productivity and prioritise its offerings to audiences, ensuring the best possible value for money, both currently and in the future.

This announcement coincides with the BBC's ongoing negotiations with the government regarding its future and the licence fee, ahead of the royal charter's renewal in late 2027.

The government has initiated a public consultation to gather opinions on the BBC's future and potential funding models.

The majority of the BBC's revenue comes from the licence fee; however, the number of TV licences sold has decreased in recent years.

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Entertainment And Arts

1990s Teen Drama Dawson’s Creek Known for Emotional Honesty

James Van Der Beek, the lead in the show, passed away at 48 due to cancer.

In retrospect, I have to admit that Dawson's Creek was a favorite of mine during its late 1990s run, and I'm not alone in my nostalgia for the show.

Although I was likely older than the target audience, my friends and I would often gather to watch the series on Sunday mornings, seeking comfort in its portrayal of American teenage life after a night out.

While some of the characters' dialogue may have seemed unrealistically polished, we couldn't help but envy their ability to express themselves with ease, particularly when dealing with romantic relationships.

The show was created by Kevin Williamson, who is also known for his work on the Scream franchise and I Know What You Did Last Summer, and he has described his experience working on Dawson's Creek as "a charmed experience".

The series followed the lives of a group of teenagers living in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, as they navigated the challenges of adolescence.

At the center of the show was Dawson Leery, played by James Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, and whose character was a complex and often contradictory figure.

Van Der Beek brought depth and nuance to the role of Dawson, making him a relatable and sympathetic character despite his flaws.

According to Emily Longeretta, director of features at Variety, "The show was built around" Van Der Beek's character, and he was instrumental in bringing Dawson to life.

Dawson's Creek cast - pictured in 2000, Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Meredith Monroe, Kerr Smith and Katie Holmes (bottom)

Longeretta noted that creator Kevin Williamson has said that Dawson was based on himself, and that Van Der Beek was the perfect actor to play the role.

Van Der Beek's portrayal of Dawson was significant because it showed a male character who was unafraid to express his emotions, which was rare on television at the time.

As Longeretta observed, Van Der Beek's performance was notable for its "eloquence" and "emotional connection," which made Dawson a believable and endearing character.

The show launched the careers of its main cast members, including Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, and Busy Philipps.

While Dawson's Creek had a dedicated audience in the US, averaging around six million viewers per episode, it also gained a cult following in other countries, including the UK and Australia.

Unlike other teen dramas of the time, such as Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek tackled real-life issues like loss, grief, and mental health in a way that was accessible and relatable to young viewers.

TV critic Scott Bryan noted that the show was groundbreaking because it treated its teenage characters like adults, allowing them to discuss their feelings and emotions openly.

The show's approach to character development and dialogue was more nuanced than its contemporaries, and it featured performances that were more fully realized.

The absence of parental figures in the show was notable, with many of the characters dealing with difficult family situations, such as Joey's deceased mother and imprisoned father.

The teenagers on the show were often surprisingly self-aware, which sometimes led to dialogue that felt unrealistic or overly dramatic.

James Van Der Beek wearing a brown jumper and white T-shirt, sitting on a sofa.

However, this self-awareness was also a result of the characters' lack of adult guidance, which forced them to navigate their emotions and relationships on their own.

The central plot point of the show was the love triangle between Dawson, Joey, and Pacey, which was a major focus of the series.

One of the most iconic moments in the show is Dawson's emotional breakdown when he decides to "set Joey free" to be with Pacey, which has become a popular meme.

As Anita Singh wrote in the Telegraph, Van Der Beek's performance was remarkable because he was able to maintain Dawson's popularity despite the character's flaws.

Dawson's Creek was also notable for its portrayal of LGBT characters, including the first gay kiss between two teenagers on primetime US TV.

Cast of Dawson's Creek - Michelle Williams and Katie Holmes hug in the centre
A cast reunion and cancer benefit took place last year, Van Der Beek was too ill to attend but sent a video message

The show's handling of Jack's coming-out story was significant, particularly in the context of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when LGBT representation on television was limited.

Showrunner Kevin Williamson has said that he drew on his own experiences as a gay man when creating the character of Jack and his storylines.

Williamson wanted to represent his own journey of self-discovery and coming out on the show, and he felt that Jack's character was an important part of that.

In an early interview, Van Der Beek reflected on his role as Dawson, saying that he was "reliving all my adolescent nightmares" but was having a great time playing the character.

Van Der Beek's enthusiasm for the show was evident, and he felt that playing Dawson was an opportunity to explore his own experiences and emotions.

Additional reporting for this story was provided by Kate Moore.

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