NOTICE TO ALL VAI MEMBERS AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
Dear VAI members and prospective members,
Due to the exceptionally high volume of correspondence relating to applications for the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) scheme, please be advised that membership renewals, new membership processing, and the mailing of physical certificates will be delayed up to 2-3 weeks.
We are a small, dedicated team and remain steadfast in our support of artists and the wider arts sector. While we welcome the expansion of the BIA scheme, and all of the new members who have joined our vibrant community, we are asking for your understanding and patience during this time.
We understand the frustrations at these delays and we can assure you that our team has been working as hard as we can to meet your needs. However, it is wholly unacceptable to verbally accost or disrespect VAI staff members, whether over the phone, email, or social media. Our code of conduct may be found here: https://visualartists.ie/code-of-conduct-for-members
IMPORTANT UPDATE: After consulting with The Department of Culture, Communication, and Sport, they will now accept screenshots of VAI Professional Digital Membership Cards. Please read carefully as they will only accept screenshots that meet the following criteria:
Screenshots must include the following information all in a single, unedited image:
- Membership type (MUST be Professional Member)
- VAI Membership Number
- Valid membership dates
- Passport style photo on your membership page
- The VAI URL confirming you are on VAI’s webpage
To access your digital membership card please click here or go to https://visualartists.ie/renew-your-membership-or-update-your-profile#myaccount
The Department will honour earlier applications that included screenshots as long as they met the above criteria.
The Department will continue to accept embossed certificate OR a photographed/photocopied image of the front and back of your physical professional membership card (combined into a single PDF) from VAI as proof of professional membership. The mailing of these certificates and membership cards will still be subject to the aforementioned delays.
BIA Queries
As a reminder, we are not in a position to pre-approve application materials for the BIA scheme. VAI only has access to the publicly available information available at gov.ie.
All pertinent information to apply for BIA can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/basic-income-for-the-arts-scheme-2026-2029-guidelines-for-application/
In order to expedite joining VAI we are asking that you please direct all enquiries about VAI professional membership criteria and membership applications to membership@visualartists.ie.
VAI Membership Renewal
If you are seeking to renew your membership, you can renew online by logging into your members profile:
In the ‘About’ tab, scroll down to the bottom and click on the button to ‘Renew, Upgrade or Update Billing’.
This will help ensure your membership applications and renewals are completed in an efficient and timely manner.
If you are unable to access a computer, are visually impaired, or have other circumstances that preclude you from using our online systems, you may contact us at 01 672 9488.
Otherwise, please help keep our phone lines free, in order to continue to assist our community in need of our help desks and advice experts.
We thank you all for your continued support, understanding, and patience.
This is an exciting new chapter for the visual arts in Ireland, and we continue to welcome all members of our visual arts community to Visual Artists Ireland.
With many thanks,
Visual Artists Ireland