Self-Employed Persons

What is it like to work as a Self-Employed Person in the arts sector?

Roughly one in three arts professionals work as Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) — a notably higher rate than the national average of under one in five. For many in the arts and broader creative industries, gig work is their primary source of income, and this trend is likely to grow alongside the expanding gig economy.

Being an SEP means taking on both the freedom and the responsibility of steering one's own career in a direction that fits personal interests and professional goals. Key advantages include a flexible schedule, the option to work remotely, and exposure to a diverse range of projects. For creatives in particular, this flexibility opens doors to collaborations with other artists. SEPs may also enjoy greater earning potential, since they can set their own rates and take on as many clients as they're able to handle.

On the flip side, SEPs face income volatility and less job security. They also miss out on standard employee perks like employer-funded training, paid leave, and medical benefits, and must independently manage their own insurance and retirement planning. To help SEPs tap into new opportunities, build sustainable careers, and develop greater self-reliance, NAC launched the Arts Resource Hub.

What key skills would Self-Employed Persons need?

Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) operate as mini-enterprises and would need unique skillsets to help them manage their own business. They need to be self-starters and have enterprising skills and attitudes to succeed. Competence in business operations such as finance, and branding is also critical. Basic legal knowledge, including contract negotiation, is also needed to protect their work and rights. SEPs must adapt to changes and new market segments to have sustainable careers. This makes upskilling — by continuing to learn new skills and refining existing ones — crucial to help SEPs remain competitive and relevant.

Below is an infographic summarising the key skills needed for SEPs:

For more information on skills, please refer to the following:

• Skills Framework for Arts (Arts Education) [PDF, 2.35 MB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

• Skills Framework for Arts (Technical Theatre and Production) [PDF, 3.69 MB] ↗ (opens in new tab)