Analysis
NAICS 711510 is the 2022 national industry for independent artists, writers, and performers, part of 71151 (Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers). Census lists 80 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 26% and employment rose 22%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 38,677 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 64,940 people at an average annual payroll of $158,290 per employee (98th percentile of national industries). 94% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include actors, independent, actresses, independent, animated cartoon artists, independent and announcers, independent radio and television, among 80 in all.
For example, freelance musicians and vocalists are classified in 711130 (Musical Groups and Artists) instead.
Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 711130 and 541430. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
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
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
Index entries (80)
- 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