NAICS 711510 Quarterly Industry Report
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 711510Sector: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 711510 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and the Small Business Administration[9]. Our research team analyzes freelance income patterns, commission and royalty structures, and gallery sales data to build valuation benchmarks for independent creative operations. This report on NAICS 711510 is updated quarterly to reflect freelance market conditions and artist income trends.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the independent artists, writers, and performers industry.
NAICS Sector
71
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Industry Definition & Overview
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (NAICS 711510) encompasses individuals and establishments primarily engaged in performing in artistic productions, creating artistic and cultural works, or providing technical expertise for artistic productions on a freelance or independent basis. This code captures freelance actors, painters, sculptors, illustrators, writers, composers, cartoonists, and other creative professionals working outside employer-employee relationships.
Freelance writers and authors earn income from book advances, royalties, article commissions, screenwriting fees, and copywriting contracts. Visual artists sell original works through galleries, art fairs, online platforms, and private commissions. Performing artists earn appearance fees for acting roles, voice-over work, and live performance engagements arranged independently or through agents. Technical specialists including lighting designers, sound engineers, and costume designers work on a project basis across theater, film, and event productions.
The National Endowment for the Arts[5] provides individual artist fellowships and commissions national surveys on artist employment and income. Market Census Bureau[6] captures freelance creative income within the arts sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] tracks employment and median earnings for writers, artists, and performers. Income volatility is a defining characteristic, with most independent creatives earning below median household income and supplementing project fees with teaching, workshops, and part-time employment. Artists concentrate in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cultural centers, though remote work and digital platforms have enabled geographic dispersal.
What's Included in This Industry
- Freelance writing, authoring, and screenwriting
- Visual art creation including painting, sculpture, and illustration
- Independent acting and voice-over performance
- Musical composition and songwriting on commission
- Freelance lighting, sound, and stage design
- Cartooning and comic art creation
- Independent photography for artistic purposes
- Art fair and gallery exhibition sales
- Public art installation and commission projects
- Creative consulting and artistic direction services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 71 |
| Subsector | Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | 711 |
| Industry Group | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 7115 |
| NAICS Industry | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 71151 |
| National Industry | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 711510 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 711410 | Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures | Talent agents represent independent artists and performers, securing employment opportunities and negotiating contract terms on commission |
| 711110 | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | Theater companies hire freelance actors, directors, and designers on per-production contracts that provide project-based income for artists |
| 711130 | Musical Groups and Artists | Musical groups employ freelance session musicians and composers who create arrangements and perform without permanent ensemble membership |
| 512110 | Motion Picture and Video Production | Motion picture production companies engage freelance actors, screenwriters, and technical crew on project contracts for film and television |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services | Graphic design firms commission freelance illustrators and visual artists for projects requiring original artwork and creative direction |
| 513130 | Book Publishers | Book publishers contract with independent authors who write manuscripts on advances and earn royalties from published sales |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 49.1% | 18,678 |
| 2 | New York | 11.8% | 4,499 |
| 3 | Florida | 5.1% | 1,939 |
| 4 | Texas | 3.0% | 1,153 |
| 5 | Georgia | 2.4% | 906 |
| 6 | Illinois | 1.9% | 714 |
| 7 | Colorado | 1.8% | 690 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 1.5% | 569 |
| 9 | Nevada | 1.5% | 558 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 1.4% | 528 |
% Of Establishments
0%
49%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,192
Total SBA Loans
$234.5M
Total Loan Volume
$197K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
11.11%
Average Interest Rate
3,776
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[10] for NAICS 711510 is $9 million in average annual receipts, classifying independent artists below this revenue threshold as small businesses for federal programs. Artists can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for studio equipment, materials, and working capital, while SBA 504 loans[12] support studio real estate acquisition. Nearly all establishments in this code are sole proprietors or very small firms.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 248 | $26.0M | $105K |
| 2 | Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC | 16 | $25.5M | $1.6M |
| 3 | Live Oak Banking Company | 32 | $20.8M | $651K |
| 4 | Bank of America, National Association | 16 | $13.6M | $851K |
| 5 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 104 | $13.4M | $129K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of individuals fall under NAICS 711510?
NAICS 711510 covers freelance creative professionals. This includes independent writers, painters, sculptors, actors, voice-over artists, composers, cartoonists, illustrators, lighting designers, and other artistic specialists working on a project or self-employment basis.
How is NAICS 711510 different from 711110?
NAICS 711510 covers independent artists working on a freelance basis across various creative disciplines, while 711110 covers theater companies that produce organized theatrical productions. Freelancers work independently; companies produce ensemble shows, per Census Bureau classifications[13].
What is the SBA size standard for independent artists?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 711510 at $9 million in average annual receipts. Artists below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal programs, per the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are related to independent artists?
Related codes include 711410 (talent agents), 711110 (theater), 711130 (musical groups), 512110 (film production), 541430 (graphic design), and 513130 (book publishing). Each connects through employment, commission, or creative service relationships.
What industries are closely related to independent artists?
Closely related industries include talent management (711410), theater (711110), film production (512110), graphic design (541430), and book publishing (513130) as primary clients and income sources.
What activities are included in independent artistry?
Activities include freelance writing, visual art creation, independent acting, musical composition, stage design, cartooning, art exhibition sales, public art commissions, and creative consulting. The NEA[5] provides individual artist fellowships and surveys.
Can independent artists get SBA loans?
Where are independent artists concentrated?
New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Nashville host the densest concentrations. Digital platforms have enabled geographic dispersal, with freelance writers and visual artists increasingly operating from smaller cities, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[14].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]National Endowment for the Arts arts.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [13]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [14]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
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