Variant of NAICS 2012 - Labour Force

8.2.8 - Information, culture and recreation

This classification variant comprises establishments coded to 'Information and cultural industries' (NAICS 51) and to 'Arts, entertainment and recreation' (NAICS 71).

The information and cultural industries sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing and distributing (except by wholesale and retail methods) information and cultural products. Establishments providing the means to transmit or distribute these products or providing access to equipment and expertise for processing data are also included.

The unique characteristics of information and cultural products, and of the processes involved in their production and distribution, distinguish this sector from the goods-producing and services-producing sectors.

The value of these products lies in their information, educational, cultural or entertainment content, not in the format in which they are distributed. Most of these products are protected from unlawful reproduction by copyright laws. Only those possessing the rights to these works are authorized to reproduce, alter, improve and distribute them. Acquiring and using these rights often involves significant costs.

The intangible nature of the content of information and cultural products allows for their distribution in various forms. For example, a movie can be shown at a movie theatre, on a television broadcast, through video on demand, or rented at a local video store; a sound recording can be aired on radio, embedded in multi-media products or sold at a record store; software can be bought at retail outlets or downloaded from an electronic bulletin board; a newspaper can be purchased at a newsstand or received on-line. In addition, improvements in information technology are revolutionizing the distribution of these products. The inclusion in this sector of telecommunications services providers reflects the increasingly important role these establishments play in making these products accessible to the public.

The main components of this sector are the publishing industries, the motion picture and sound recording industries, the broadcasting industries, the telecommunications industries, and the data processing and hosting services industries.

There are establishments engaged in culture-related activities that are classified in other sectors of NAICS. The most important are listed as exclusions below.

Exclusion(s)
* duplicating information or cultural products in print form, or in the form of optical or magnetic media (31-33)
* wholesaling information and cultural products such as newspapers, books, software, videocassettes, DVDs and sound recordings (See 41 Wholesale trade)
* retailing information and cultural products such as newspapers, books, software and sound recordings (44-45)
* design activities (See 54 Professional, scientific and technical services)
* performing in artistic productions, and creating artistic and cultural works or productions as independent individuals (See 71 Arts, entertainment and recreation)
* preserving and exhibiting objects, sites, and natural wonders of historical, cultural and/or educational value (See 71 Arts, entertainment and recreation)
* producing live presentations that involve the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, and other performing artists (See 71 Arts, entertainment and recreation).

The arts, entertainment and recreation sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating facilities or providing services to meet the cultural, entertainment and recreational interests of their patrons. These establishments produce, promote or participate in live performances, events or exhibits intended for public viewing; provide the artistic, creative and technical skills necessary for the production of artistic products and live performances; preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural or educational interest; and operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in sports or recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobbies and leisure-time interests.

There are establishments engaged in activities related to arts and recreation that are classified in other sectors of NAICS. The most important are listed below.

Exclusion(s)
* transportation establishments providing sightseeing and pleasure cruises (48-49)
* motion picture theatres, libraries and archives, and publishers of newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals and computer software (See 51 Information and cultural industries)
* establishments that provide both accommodation and recreational facilities, such as hunting and fishing camps, resorts and casino hotels (See 721 Accommodation services)
* restaurants and night clubs that provide live entertainment in addition to the sale of food and beverages (See 722 Food services and drinking places).

71 - Arts, entertainment and recreation

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating facilities or providing services to meet the cultural, entertainment and recreational interests of their patrons. These establishments produce, promote or participate in live performances, events or exhibits intended for public viewing; provide the artistic, creative and technical skills necessary for the production of artistic products and live performances; preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural or educational interest; and operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in sports or recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobbies and leisure-time interests.

There are establishments engaged in activities related to arts and recreation that are classified in other sectors of NAICS. The most important are listed below.

• Exclusion(s)

  • transportation establishments providing sightseeing and pleasure cruises(48-49)
  • motion picture theatres, libraries and archives, and publishers of newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals and computer software (See 51 Information and cultural industries)
  • establishments that provide both accommodation and recreational facilities, such as hunting and fishing camps, resorts and casino hotels (See 721 Accommodation services)
  • restaurants and night clubs that provide live entertainment in addition to the sale of food and beverages (See 722 Food services and drinking places)

711 - Performing arts, spectator sports and related industries

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing, or organizing and promoting, live presentations that involve the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, athletes and other entertainers. This subsector also includes independent (freelance) entertainers and artists and the establishments that manage their careers. The classification recognizes four basic processes: producing events; organizing and promoting events; managing and representing entertainers; and providing the artistic, creative and technical skills necessary for the production of artistic products and live performances.

This subsector makes a clear distinction between performing arts companies and performing artists (independents). Although not unique to arts and entertainment, freelancing is a particularly important phenomenon in this subsector; however, it is difficult to implement in the case of musical groups (companies) and artists, especially pop groups. These establishments tend to be more loosely organized and it can be difficult to distinguish companies from freelancers. Therefore, this subsector includes one industry that covers both musical groups and musical artists.

7111 - Performing arts companies

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing live presentations that involve the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, and other performing artists. Examples of establishments in this industry group are theatre companies, dance companies, musical groups and artists, circuses and ice-skating shows.

• Exclusion(s)

  • organizing and promoting, but not producing, presentations of performing artists (See 7113 Promoters (presenters) of performing arts, sports and similar events)
  • independent performing artists (See 711512 Independent actors, comedians and performers)

7112 - Spectator sports

This industry group comprises professional, semi-professional, or amateur sports clubs primarily engaged in presenting sporting events before an audience. These establishments may or may not operate the facility for presenting these events. Independent professional, semi-professional or amateur athletes (in their role as athletes), and operators of race tracks are also included.

7113 - Promoters (presenters) of performing arts, sports and similar events

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in organizing and promoting performing arts productions, sports events and similar events, such as festivals. Establishments in this industry group may operate arenas, stadiums, theatres or other related facilities, or they may present these events in facilities operated by others.

• Exclusion(s)

  • producing live presentations that involve the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, whether or not they operate their own facilities (See 7111 Performing arts companies)
  • operating professional, semi-professional or amateur sports teams that present sporting events to the public, whether or not they operate their own facilities (See 711211 Sports teams and clubs)

7114 - Agents and managers for artists, athletes, entertainers and other public figures

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in representing or managing creative and performing artists, sports figures, entertainers, and celebrities. These establishments represent their clients in contract negotiations, manage or organize the client's financial affairs, and generally promote the careers of their clients.

7115 - Independent artists, writers and performers

This industry group comprises independent individuals (freelance) primarily engaged in performing in artistic productions, creating artistic and cultural works or productions, or providing technical expertise necessary for these productions. Independent celebrities, such as athletes, engaging in endorsement, speaking and similar services, are included.