Creative and Performing Artists (NOC 513)

What They Do Film, television and radio producers manage the production of motion pictures, television shows, and radio programs. Directors interpret scripts, select casts, and direct performers/other aspects of productions. Record producers plan and co-ordinate musical recordings. Directors of photography plan and co-ordinate the photography of motion pictures. Conductors select and interpret musical works, and lead bands, orchestras, and choirs. Arrangers adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes. Musicians play one or more instruments. Singers sing musical arrangements. Actors perform roles in motion picture, television, and radio productions. Painters, sculptors and other visual artists create original paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings, and other art works.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Arts entertainment and recreation 44% Educational services 27% Information and cultural industries 20% Other services (except public administration) 3% People in this group work for: Film production, radio, and television companies/stations Broadcasting departments, sound recording studios Record production, ballet/dance companies Symphony and chamber orchestras Bands/choirs, night clubs/dance academies Private acting/dance schools Many are self-employed. The unionization rate (23%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Creative and Performing Artists are found in Ontario and British Columbia while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Announcers and Other Performers (NOC 523) Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC 5241) Managers in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport (NOC 051) Photographers (NOC 5221) Photographers, Graphics Arts Technicians and Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts (NOC 522)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating specialized knowledge Improving interpersonal skills Learning business management Researching social trends

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need In general, you usually need a university degree, college diploma or other post-secondary specialized training in your area of work. You may need experience and to be able to demonstrate directing, creative or performing skills. You may need membership in a related guild or union. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Mass Communications (C410) Applied Arts (U010) Music (U051) Mass Communications (U410) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Entertainment Innovation Researching		Useful High School Subjects Art English (Composition) Drama Music
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an above-average rate. Hourly wages ($19.98) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average. The unemployment rate (5%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be average because of Canada's ability to attract foreign production and the continuing positive impact of increased government spending on art/culture. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You'll be competing with a large number of recent graduates. You'll need good business skills to manage your career.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $13.90 $11.74 25-54 $22.37 $19.76 55+ $29.06 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $19.98 $18.07		Hourly wages ($19.98) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are close to the average for occupations in the art, culture, recreation and sport sector and are below average for all professional occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (5%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is above the average for professionnal occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 7% 10% 1992 8% 11% 1993 5% 11% 1994 5% 10% 1995 6% 10% 1996 5% 10% 1997 6% 9% 1998 5% 8% 1999 3% 8% 2000 4% 7% 2001 4% 7% 2002 4% 8% 2003 4% 8% 2004 5% 7%

% of Part-time work is above average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 57% 81% Part-time 43% 19%		There were 94,000 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, a decrease of 7% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (43%) is above the 2004 average (19%) and has stayed about the same since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Above average
The percentage of self-employed workers (72%) is above the 2004 average of 15% and has risen since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 72% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 8% 10% 25-54 71% 72% 55+ 15% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Average
The percentage of women is 49% compared to the 2004 average of 48% and has dropped since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 49% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31