Creative arts and culture sector
Combining technological innovation with the traditional creative industries, the sector has a lot to offer those with the talent and drive to succeed
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) reported that in 2011 music and visual and performing arts were the largest employers in the creative industries.
Employment opportunities are grouped into:
The creative arts sector is often paired with the digital sector as digital technology provides the creative industries with the platforms and infrastructure to deliver the content.
In addition to this is the fashion industry which is worth around £11.5billion to the UK economy. It employs around 340,000 people and comprises three broad components - design, manufacture and servicing.
For examples of job roles in this sector, see graduate jobs in creative arts and design.
The creative arts sector is made up of a lot of small companies. According to the Creative and Cultural Industries 2012/13 reports, 85% of companies employ fewer than four people, 14% employ 5 to 50 people and only 1% employs more than 50 people.
The sector also has some large well-established organisations. Examples include:
Graduates entering the creative arts and culture sector can expect:
The sector can be highly competitive both to secure employment and to develop within a role. Some occupations such as those within media and publishing are highly sought-after. While others such as performing arts are at risk of periods of unemployment and may be subject to rapid change.
The distribution of employment in this sector is uneven. Performing arts employment is focussed within large cities, notably London. The film, music and broadcasting industries are similarly based in large cities, particularly London, Manchester and Birmingham.
However, self-employment and working in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provides opportunities for creative art and culture to be carried out anywhere. For example, there have been recent initiatives to stimulate social enterprises and cooperative enterprises in rural parts of the UK such as Wales and Cornwall.
Issues affecting the fashion industry include a poor image, loss of skills and competing with overseas companies who are doing the same things but cheaper. In addition to this there are skills shortages in a number of roles including:
Take a look at the careers on offer in the world of creative arts and culture…
These job profiles are examples of graduate careers in the creative arts and culture sector:
To find the graduate job roles that best match your skills and interests, log in to what jobs would suit me?
For job vacancies in the creative arts sector, search graduate jobs in creative arts and design.
If you have the relevant artistic talent and experience, discover what else you need to successfully get a job
A relevant degree is required for most occupations within this sector. Some employers consider applications for some roles from those of any subject discipline. There are some large employers such as the BBC which offer graduate training schemes.
Graduate employers in the creative arts and culture sector require candidates with:
Due to new developments in the fashion industry employers predict a need for:
As in many industrial sectors, work experience is invaluable. In this particular sector where much relies upon employers' or clients' knowledge of an individual' skills and talents, students and graduates should consider participating in many types of work experience (placement, project, work shadowing etc) in order to develop networks and build contacts.
If you want to work in the fashion industry you should attend exhibitions and events such as London Fashion Week. This will provide networking opportunities and a chance to hear about new products or processes.
To find work placements and internships in the creative arts and culture sector, search for work experience.
Job vacancies are posted on organisations' websites, national and local newspapers and university careers services. You can also search graduate jobs in creative arts and design.
In some cases, jobs may not be formally advertised; instead, recruitment is dependant on contacts built up through networking. You must also be prepared to undertake work experience, which in some cases can lead to paid employment.
Graduates with a first degree in arts and design are more likely than graduates from any other discipline to be self-employed six months after graduation. Self-employment accounts for nearly a quarter of employment in the creative and digital sector, and 31% of employment in the creative industry compared to just 14% across the whole UK economy.
Opportunities for working overseas do occur, particularly for those who are well-established in their field. This is also the case if you work in the theatre or music and tour overseas or if you exhibit your work in another country as a self-employed designer.
To stand out in this competitive industry you may need to gain some extra qualifications. Find out what's involved…
Postgraduate training is required in some occupations, such as:
In the competitive environment of creative arts and culture, further qualifications such as a Masters can be advantageous. However further study may not provide a substitute for real-world experience and the ability to develop talents and skills.
For more information on entry requirements and career development in the creative arts sector, see types of jobs.
To find relevant postgraduate courses in the UK, search art and design courses and research.
Membership of an industry-specific professional body will enhance your status within your field of expertise. However, becoming a member isn't as important in the creative arts sector as it is in other areas.
By joining a professional body, you can also:
Although professional qualifications are not necessarily essential to progress in a career in the sector, they could help you to stand out from the crowd and improve your employability.
Sector skills councils often offer a variety of training programmes and courses that can boost your skills, as well as accreditation and chartered status.