Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
Description
This industry comprises independent (i.e., freelance) individuals primarily engaged in performing in artistic productions, in creating artistic and cultural works or productions, or in providing technical expertise necessary for these productions. This industry also includes athletes and other celebrities exclusively engaged in endorsing products and making speeches or public appearances for which they receive a fee. Illustrative Examples: Independent actors or actresses Independent producers Independent art restorers Independent recording technicians Independent artists (except musical, commercial, medical) Independent speakers Independent cartoonists Independent theatrical costume designers Independent dancers Independent theatrical lighting technicians Independent journalists Independent technical writers
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector includes a wide range of establishments that operate facilities or provide services to meet varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of their patrons. This sector comprises (1) establishments that are involved in producing, promoting, or participating in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing; (2) establishments that preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural, or educational interest; and (3) establishments that operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobby, and leisure-time interests. Some establishments that provide cultural, entertainment, or recreational facilities and services are classified in other sectors. Excluded from this sector are: (1) establishments that provide both accommodations and recreational facilities, such as hunting and fishing camps and resort and casino hotels, are classified in Subsector 721, Accommodation; (2) restaurants and night clubs that provide live entertainment in addition to the sale of food and beverages are classified in Subsector 722, Food Services and Drinking Places; (3) motion picture theaters, libraries and archives, and publishers of newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals, and computer software are classified in Sector 51, Information; and (4) establishments using transportation equipment to provide recreational and entertainment services, such as those operating sightseeing buses, dinner cruises, or helicopter rides, are classified in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation. |
| 711 | Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector group establishments that produce or organize and promote live presentations involving the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, athletes, and other entertainers, including independent (i.e., freelance) entertainers and the establishments that manage their careers. The classification recognizes four basic processes: (1) producing (i.e., presenting) events; (2) organizing, managing, and/or promoting events; (3) managing and representing entertainers; and (4) providing the artistic, creative, and technical skills necessary to the production of these live events. Also, this subsector contains four industries for performing arts companies. Each is defined on the basis of the particular skills of the entertainers involved in the presentations. The industry structure for this subsector makes a clear distinction between performing arts companies and performing artists (i.e., independent or freelance). Although not unique to arts and entertainment, freelancing is a particularly important phenomenon in this Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector. Distinguishing this activity from the production activity is a meaningful process differentiation. This approach, however, is difficult to implement in the case of musical groups (i.e., companies) and artists. These establishments tend to be more loosely organized and it can be difficult to distinguish companies from freelancers. For this reason, NAICS includes one industry that covers both musical groups and musical artists. This subsector contains two industries for Industry Group 7113, Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events, one for those that operate facilities and another for those that do not. This is because there are significant differences in cost structures between those promoters that manage and provide the staff to operate facilities and those that do not. In addition to promoters without facilities, other industries in this subsector include establishments that may operate without permanent facilities. These types of establishments include performing arts companies; musical groups and artists; spectator sports; and independent (i.e., freelance) artists, writers, and performers. Excluded from this subsector are nightclubs. Some nightclubs promote live entertainment on a regular basis and it can be argued that they could be classified in Industry Group 7113, Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events. However, since most of these establishments function as any other drinking place when they do not promote entertainment and because most of their revenue is derived from sale of food and beverages, they are classified in Subsector 722, Food Services and Drinking Places. |
| 7115 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 4-digit industry group | Industries in the Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector group establishments that produce or organize and promote live presentations involving the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, athletes, and other entertainers, including independent (i.e., freelance) entertainers and the establishments that manage their careers. The classification recognizes four basic processes: (1) producing (i.e., presenting) events; (2) organizing, managing, and/or promoting events; (3) managing and representing entertainers; and (4) providing the artistic, creative, and technical skills necessary to the production of these live events. Also, this subsector contains four industries for performing arts companies. Each is defined on the basis of the particular skills of the entertainers involved in the presentations. The industry structure for this subsector makes a clear distinction between performing arts companies and performing artists (i.e., independent or freelance). Although not unique to arts and entertainment, freelancing is a particularly important phenomenon in this Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector. Distinguishing this activity from the production activity is a meaningful process differentiation. This approach, however, is difficult to implement in the case of musical groups (i.e., companies) and artists. These establishments tend to be more loosely organized and it can be difficult to distinguish companies from freelancers. For this reason, NAICS includes one industry that covers both musical groups and musical artists. This subsector contains two industries for Industry Group 7113, Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events, one for those that operate facilities and another for those that do not. This is because there are significant differences in cost structures between those promoters that manage and provide the staff to operate facilities and those that do not. In addition to promoters without facilities, other industries in this subsector include establishments that may operate without permanent facilities. These types of establishments include performing arts companies; musical groups and artists; spectator sports; and independent (i.e., freelance) artists, writers, and performers. Excluded from this subsector are nightclubs. Some nightclubs promote live entertainment on a regular basis and it can be argued that they could be classified in Industry Group 7113, Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events. However, since most of these establishments function as any other drinking place when they do not promote entertainment and because most of their revenue is derived from sale of food and beverages, they are classified in Subsector 722, Food Services and Drinking Places. |
| 71151 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 711510. |
| 711510 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises independent (i.e., freelance) individuals primarily engaged in performing in artistic productions, in creating artistic and cultural works or productions, or in providing technical expertise necessary for these productions. This industry also includes athletes and other celebrities exclusively engaged in endorsing products and making speeches or public appearances for which they receive a fee. Illustrative Examples: Independent actors or actresses Independent producers Independent art restorers Independent recording technicians Independent artists (except musical, commercial, medical) Independent speakers Independent cartoonists Independent theatrical costume designers Independent dancers Independent theatrical lighting technicians Independent journalists Independent technical writers |
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Classification References
- 01Freelance musicians and vocalists are classified in Industry 711130, Musical Groups and Artists;
- 02Independent commercial artists, medical illustrators, and graphic designers are classified in Industry 541430, Graphic Design Services; and
- 03Artisans and craftspersons are classified in Sector 31-33, Manufacturing.
Index Items
Actors, independent
Actresses, independent
Animated cartoon artists, independent
Announcers, independent radio and television
Art restorers, independent
Artists (except musical, commercial, medical), independent
Artists (i.e., painters), independent
Authors, independent
Ballet dancers, independent
Cameramen, independent (freelance)
Cartoonists, independent
Celebrity spokespersons, independent
Choreographers, independent
Cinematographers, independent
Comedians, independent
Composers, independent
Conductors, independent
Conservators (i.e., art, artifact restorers), independent
Costume designers, independent theatrical
Dancers, independent
Directors (i.e., film, motion picture, music, theatrical), independent
Directors, independent motion picture
Directors, independent music
Disc jockeys, independent
Entertainers, independent
Ethnic dancers, independent
Film actors, independent
Film producers, independent
Folk dancers, independent
Ghost writers, independent
Independent museum exhibit designers
Independent technical writers
Interpretive dancers, independent
Jazz dancers, independent
Journalists, independent (freelance)
Lecturers, independent
Lighting technicians, theatrical, independent
Magicians, independent
Models, independent
Motion picture directors, independent
Motion picture producers, independent
Motivational speakers, independent
Music arrangers, independent
Music directors, independent
News correspondents, independent (freelance)
Newspaper columnists, independent (freelance)
Orchestra conductors, independent
Painters (i.e., artists), independent
Painting restorers, independent
Performers (i.e., entertainers), independent
Performing artists, independent
Photographers, independent artistic
Photojournalists, independent (freelance)
Playwrights, independent
Poets, independent
Political cartoonists, independent
Producers, independent
Radio commentators, independent
Record producers, independent
Recording technicians, independent
Reporters, independent (freelance)
Scenery designers, independent theatrical
Screenplay writers, independent
Script writers, independent
Sculptors, independent
Set designers, independent theatrical
Sketch artists, independent
Song writers, independent
Speakers, independent
Special effect technicians, independent
Sports announcers, independent
Stage set (e.g., concert, motion picture, television) erecting and dismantling, independent
Standup comedians, independent
Storytellers, independent
Taxidermists, independent
Technical writers, independent
Television producers, independent
Wildlife artists, independent
Writers of advertising copy, independent
Writers, independent (freelance)
How Item Can Help
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 711510.
National Association of Independent Artists and Designers
A non-profit trade association providing resources and advocacy for independent creators across all media.
US Census Bureau NAICS Code Explorer
Official government page offering detailed definitions and statistical data for this specific industry classification.
Artsy Directory of Artists
A leading global art platform featuring profiles and sales data for millions of independent artists and galleries.
