NAICS 711510 - Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
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What is NAICS 711510
NAICS code 711510 covers independent artists, writers, and performers who operate as freelancers engaging in various artistic and cultural productions. This industry includes professionals who perform, create, or provide technical expertise for artistic works, such as independent actors, dancers, costume designers, and writers. It also encompasses celebrities and athletes who provide endorsements, speeches, or public appearances for a fee. These independent contractors often work on a project basis, offering specialized skills that support the cultural, entertainment, and media needs of both private and public sectors. Government agencies contract with these individuals to leverage their unique creative talents for public information campaigns, cultural programming, and educational initiatives, ensuring diverse and high-quality artistic content.
Industry Classification for NAICS 711510
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
Breakdown for NAICS 711510
- Encompasses freelance individuals engaged in artistic performance and creation.
- Includes technical experts supporting artistic and cultural productions.
- Covers athletes and celebrities endorsing products or making public appearances.
- Typical projects include performances, productions, endorsements, and speeches.
- Subject to small business size standards based on revenue and employee count.
- Government contracts support cultural, educational, and public outreach initiatives.
Included Activities for NAICS 711510
- Performing in artistic productions such as theater, dance, and music.
- Creating artistic and cultural works including visual arts and literature.
- Providing technical expertise like lighting, costume design, and recording.
- Endorsing products and participating in public speaking engagements.
- Restoring and preserving artworks for government collections or events.
- Producing multimedia content and independent journalistic works.
- Consulting on artistic direction and cultural programming for agencies.
- Developing educational materials and creative technical writing.
Business Types for NAICS 711510
- Independent actors and actresses
- Freelance artists and illustrators
- Independent recording and sound technicians
- Freelance writers and journalists
- Independent dancers and choreographers
- Celebrity endorsers and public speakers
Subcategories for NAICS 711510
- 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)
Government Buyers for NAICS 711510
Federal, state, and local government agencies typically procure services under NAICS 711510 for cultural, educational, and outreach programs. Agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Defense, and local arts commissions engage independent artists and performers to support public events, awareness campaigns, and training programs. Additionally, agencies involved in public diplomacy, community engagement, and historical preservation seek these services to enhance their initiatives with creative content and expert presentations. These contracts help agencies meet public engagement goals, promote cultural heritage, and provide informative programming to diverse audiences.
Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 711510
Contracts under this NAICS code commonly include firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and time-and-materials agreements to accommodate the varied and project-based nature of artistic work. Procurement methods often involve competitive bidding, requests for proposals (RFPs), and sole-source justifications when specialized talent is required. Contract values can range widely, from small one-time engagements under $10,000 to larger multi-phase projects exceeding $500,000, depending on project scope and agency budgets. Government contracts may include short-term performance agreements, event-specific contracts, or ongoing consulting arrangements for technical expertise and creative development.
Details for NAICS 711510
Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry
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