Job market information
Finding out about performing arts
The performing arts industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; music; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.
The performing arts comprises venues, employers, small businesses and freelancers in the theatre sector (including classical, contemporary, street arts, carnival arts, circus and physical theatre), dance, opera and the live music industry (including live performances of classical, pop, rock and all contemporary forms of music). The industry workforce includes performers, promoters and those who provide backstage technical input and administration.
Key facts:
- There are 101,593 people working in the performing arts, of which:
- 34% are employed in onstage occupations, such as acting or dancing.
- Employment grew by 20% between 2006/07 and 2008/09.
- 45% of the workforce is located in London and the South East.
- There are 5,480 businesses, of which 92% employ less than 50 people.
- The performing arts industry contributes £4.6 billion to the UK economy.
- 58% of the workforce is self‐employed.
- Men and women are equally likely to have a level 4 or above qualification.
- Men are likely to earn less money than women (87% of men earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 58% of women).
- 73% of the performing arts workforce earns less than £20,000 a year.
- 40% of those working in performing arts have at least a level 4 qualification.
Jobs in the industry include: actor, agent, artistic director, choreographer, circus performer, dancer, entertainer, hair, makeup and wigs, props maker, puppeteer, rigger, sound technician, stage manager, studio manager, theatre director, wardrobe assistant.
Entry and progression
At entry level, experience is valued, so many start with volunteering in the industry. There are a range of educational opportunities, together with industry endorsed courses and training schemes. Informal learning opportunities are widely available.
There is a lack of structured career paths and progression. Information is also lacking about the relevance and value of courses to enter the performing arts. Performers have to be proactive in considering potential sources of future income ‐ essential to earn a sufficient living from performance, especially in the early stages of careers.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
101,593 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
5,480 |
|---|
| Gender: |
51% male |
49% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
94% of the workforce is white |
|---|
[N.B. Data from Creative and Cultural Skills Workforce Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Employment in the industry is characterised by a high number of freelancers. Portfolio working is common with a second job to supplement artistic income.
There is an estimated need for 30,000 technical staff, together with the need to replace and expand the current workforce by 2013, in part to support the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Skill requirements and shortages
Future skills for the industry include:
- Creative and performance skills, in areas of growth such as street arts
- Technical skills
- Leadership and management skills, particularly for freelance/portfolio working and collaboration
- Education and community development skills
- Fundraising from entry level upwards with an increasing demand for fundraisers.
Occupational trends
Across the creative and cultural industries, employment in professional, associated and technical roles will increase by 26% over the next few years, compared with 15% across the UK. 39% of creative and cultural employers think that all occupations will maintain their current importance.
National and regional data
Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, it contributes £42 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 86% of the workforce is male.
Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 10% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Scotland. In Scotland, it contributes £143 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 86% of the workforce is male.
Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 3% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Wales. The industry in Wales contributes £86 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 58% of the workforce is male.
[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]
East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.
East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.
North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.
South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.
South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the wage structure of the current workforce:
- 18% earn more than £41,000 per year
- Less than 1% earn between £29,000 ‐£41,000
- 10% earn between £20,000 ‐ £29,000
- 31% earn between £10,000 ‐ £20,000
- 42% earn less than £10,000 per year
Working as a performer does not always provide constant and consistent income; so many performers balance a variety of part‐time roles that are often not specific to the sector.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Creative and Cultural Skills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
