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job vacancies in arts, design and crafts This sector is said to be experiencing a ‘golden age’, with increased government investment in recent years and large sections of the population enjoying the arts in their various forms. Since admission charges were scrapped, there have been 30million extra visits to national museums (Culture and Creativity, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), 2007) and an estimated 76% of adults participating in the arts (Taking Part, Arts Council England, 2007). The industry is reliant on public funding, with: Ads by Google - £1.1million investment in the arts by Arts Council England in 2006 (Annual Review, Arts Council England, 2006);
- an increase of government support to the Arts Council by 73% over the last ten years (Annual Review, Arts Council England, 2006);
- government funding to theatre raised to £97.5million during 2006/07 (Culture and Creativity, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2007).
Although pay is still relatively low, employers are experiencing problems in recruitment due to skills shortages rather than poor salaries. Various initiatives are being undertaken to support training schemes and apprenticeships across the industry. What kind of work can I do?The industry covers a wide range of activities, including: - writing;
- acting;
- dancing;
- music;
- photography;
- craft design/making;
- museum/art gallery curating;
- arts administration;
- teaching;
- therapy.
What's it like working in this sector?Working environment- Much work exists within micro business, (fewer than ten employees), with many organisations set up for a specific performance in music and dramatic arts.
- Most people are self-employed.
- Large organisations in this sector are mainly in publishing, theatres, museums and local authorities.
Working conditions- Seasonal work is important in the performing arts, with peaks in summer and Christmas seasons. Short-term contracts are common.
- Part-time work is commonplace, with about 25% working less than 30 hours per week. Hours are frequently unsociable.
- A large proportion of workers have their primary occupation in the creative arts sector but earn most of their income in another sector. A 2005 survey conducted by Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media and Equity showed that seven in ten had worked outside of the performance industry for 28 weeks or more in the past year.
- Although some performers/artists will command high fees, the majority earn low salaries.
- Competition for arts administration jobs is very high and pay relatively low. Hard-to-fill vacancies include experienced administrators for principal posts running major performance venues, orchestras and theatre/opera companies.
Diversity- The sector shows a strong commitment to equal opportunities, with organisations dedicated to promoting the arts of minority groups.
- The 2007 Footprint report from Creative and Cultural Skills puts the number of disabled workers in this sector at 11.8%.
- Whilst 95% of the workforce within the cultural sector are white, the cultural heritage sector employs the highest proportion of ethnic minorities, where 3.1% of workers are Black or Black British (Footprint Report, Creative & Cultural Skills, 2007).
- Women tend to be underrepresented as musicians, technicians and photographers but well represented in cultural heritage, though are still less likely to progress to director-level positions (Review of the Presentation of the Contemporary Visual Arts: Structure and Leadership, Arts Council England, 2005).
Health- Health issues may prevent continuation in a career, particularly for dancers, performing artists and musicians, mainly through repetitive strain injury or accident requiring people to leave performance and move into management or enter other careers.
How big is this sector?- According to The British Council, the creative industries are the fastest growing sector of the UK economy, employing 1.8million people and worth an estimated £56billion, accounting for almost 8% of the UK’s gross added value (Culture and Creativity, British Council, 2007).
- The UK music industry alone is worth £5billion a year, generating 126,000 full-time jobs (UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), 2007).
- The sector (including advertising but not crafts) has seen a 9% rise in employment in recent years, with the running of arts facilities growing by 38% (Footprint Report, Creative & Cultural Skills, 2007).
Where can I work?- The highest concentration of people working in creative or culturally related occupations is in London, whilst clusters are increasing in the English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Many in the sector, e.g. writers, photographers, designer-makers and musicians work from a home-based studio or office.
- Digital communications have encouraged many creative forums to develop remotely creating an international dimension that is accessible and dynamic.
For more information see opportunities abroad. |
