Employment in performing arts

According to a survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 726 performing arts operation organisations employing 6,569 people at the end of June 2007.

Of these employees, 49 per cent were performing artists, 23 per cent were in managerial, administrative or clerical roles, 13 per cent provided technical and performing arts support and 6 per cent provided artistic support.

Overall, 51 per cent of those employed were men and 49 per cent were women.

The survey also found that there were 6,582 people working as volunteers in the industry during the month of June 2007.

At the end of June 2007, there were 5,876 people employed by 145 performing arts venue operators. Women represented 55 per cent of these employees. In addition to paid employees, there were 1,935 volunteers during the month of June 2007.

In 2002-03, performing arts festivals that lasted at least two days employed 1,272 people. During the festival, they were assisted by 15,728 volunteers working an average of 25.3 hours each.