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Performers & Creative Artists in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Michal Dalal Michal Dalal New York, United States Last Updated: February 2024 NAICS 71151

Revenue

$57.4bn

2024

$57.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

1m

Businesses

1m

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry analysis

Performers and creative artists include independent artists, freelance and bestselling writers, stage and A-list actors and painters, in addition to a dozen other artistic professions. Over 95.0% of working artists don't employ any workers since revenue in this field can be difficult to come by. The top artists are the ones whose work is highly coveted and revered, and famous authors and actors are capable of earning millions of dollars annually. Some have the fame and financial means that requires them to employ teams to maintain their image, but these account for a slim portion of artists. Favorable economic conditions persisted for the majority of the five years to 2023, but the outbreak of COVID-19 stifled industry activity in 2020 significantly. Revenue ultimately grew at a CAGR of 0.7% to $57.4 billion in 2024, including a growth of 0.8% that year alone.

Trends and Insights

  • The industry incorporates a wide range of artistic endeavors and genres delivered via various media platforms. These artists commonly work independently or freelance, rather than being employed in an artistic capacity for another industry full-time.
  • The industry's primary market is consumers, which can be divided by age group. Consumers of different age groups are likely to attend different types of performances or exhibition based on preferences.
  • Though artists live and work across the country, the concentration of performers and creative artists is highly skewed toward specific states. California and New York account for 61.8% of total establishments.The ease of accessing content via the internet has made this industry less dependent on location. Performers and artists are now able to distribute their work from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection.
  • There are many artists working in the industry competing for limited spots. Artists don’t have to compete with everyone in the industry, because there are many levels and variety in the genre and medium of art.An artist’s success is dependent on getting noticed and holding the attention of an audience. There are constantly new entrants in this industry attempting to draw attention to themselves.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $57.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Dire economic activity ensued at the start of the pandemic and consumer spending contracted

  • Since spending on arts is often regarded as nonessential and discretionary in nature, artists are sensitive to changes in economic conditions.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Performers & Creative Artists in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Government funding for the arts will decline

  • The US Congress is anticipated to reduce the amount of federal funding for the creative arts moving forward, significantly limiting the number of grants available to working artists.

Biggest companies in the Performers & Creative Artists in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Performers & Creative Artists in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Live performances and events, Art sales and Film and TV. Live performances and events is the largest segment of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US.

Trends and Insights

Intellectual property licensing and contract work was least affected by quarantining policies

  • Many artists in this segment are independent writers, including copy or advertising writers not working full-time for a company, journalists and reporters, biographers, novelists, songwriters who don't perform, playwrights and screenwriters.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Performers and Creative Artists industry consists of independent or freelance artists, writers and performers that create artistic or cultural works or productions, in addition to individuals that provide the technical expertise necessary for these works. This industry includes celebrities that receive a fee for product endorsement and public appearances or speeches. This industry does not include musical artists (IBISWorld report 71113) or graphic design artists (54143).

What's included in this industry?

Actors, independent Authors, independent Comedians, independent Dancers, independent Disc jockeys, independent Models, independent Photographers, independentCelebrity appearances and product endorsementsTV producers, independent Writers, independent (freelance)

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CROWDFUNDINGPROMOTIONAGENTINTERNET OF THINGS

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 71151 - Performers & Creative Artists in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The industry incorporates a wide range of artistic endeavors and genres delivered via various media platforms. These artists commonly work independently or freelance, rather ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The industry's primary market is consumers, which can be divided by age group. Consumers of different age groups are likely to attend different types of performances or exhib...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Though artists live and work across the country, the concentration of performers and creative artists is highly skewed toward specific states. California and New York account...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

There are many artists working in the industry competing for limited spots. Artists don’t have to compete with everyone in the industry, because there are many levels and var...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major companies dominating the industry. Even though many individual artists (e.g. A-list actors and bestselling authors) make millions of dollars annually, none...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Unions, guilds and associations play an important role within the industry, providing support and representation for its members. Some unions representing artists in the indu...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Income for nonemployers is included in profit, not wages, since revenue is used for business and personal expenses. A-list actors report high profits, contributing to current...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States is $57.4bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 1m businesses in the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.

    What does the Performers & Creative Artists in the US in United States include?

    Actors, independent and Authors, independent are part of the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Performers & Creative Artists in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Musical Groups & Artists in the US
    • Sports Franchises in the US

    Complementors

    • Celebrity & Sports Agents in the US
    • Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in the US

    International industries

    • Concert & Event Promotion in Canada
    • Performing Arts Venues in Australia
    • Performing Arts Operation in New Zealand

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.