National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

5 - Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

This broad category comprises specialized middle management occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport, as well as professional, technical, support and other occupations concerned with art and culture (including the performing arts, film and video, broadcasting, journalism, writing, creative design, libraries and museums), recreation and sports.

51 - Professional occupations in art and culture

This major group comprises professional occupations in art and culture. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 1. Occupations classified in TEER 1, as those in this group with a 1 as the second digit of their code, typically require a university degree (bachelor's, master's or doctorate) or the accumulation several years of experience and expertise in the subject matter knowledge in a related occupation found in TEER 2, when applicable (which includes occupations with a 2 as a second digit in their code).

511 - Professional occupations in art and culture

This sub-major group comprises professional occupations in art and culture, including librarians, archivists, conservators and curators; writing, translating and related communications professionals; and creative and performing artists.

5112 - Creative and performing artists

This minor group comprises creative and performing artists, including producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations; conductors, composers and arrangers; and musicians and singers. They are employed by radio and television stations, broadcast departments, and film, television and recording studios; advertising and record production companies; ballet, dance and opera companies; orchestras, bands, choirs, concert halls, theatres, lounges and night clubs; television, theatre, film and other production companies; and dance, acting and art schools; or they may be self-employed.

51120 - Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

Producers, directors, choreographers and professionals in related occupations oversee and control the technical and artistic aspects of film, television, video game, radio, dance and theatre productions. They are employed by film production companies, radio and television stations, video game companies, broadcast departments, advertising companies, sound recording studios, record production companies and dance companies. They may also be self-employed.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • artistic director - motion picture
  • choreographer
  • cyber-choreographer
  • director - motion picture
  • director of photography
  • filmmaker
  • multimedia audio producer
  • producer - performing arts
  • producer-director
  • radio producer
  • record producer
  • stage director - performing arts
  • technical director - broadcasting
  • television producer

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • film editor
  • video illustrator - multimedia work

• Exclusion(s)

  • Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (See 50011 Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts)
  • Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture (See 5311 Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture)
  • Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (See 5211 Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Film, radio, television and video game producers

  • Plan, organize and control the various stages and scheduling involved in the production of presentations, motion pictures, television shows and radio programs; engage directors and other production personnel and supervise all technical personnel, and determine the treatment, scope and scheduling of production; maintain production archives, negotiate royalties and may plan and control the budget pertaining to a particular production.

  Directors

  • Interpret scripts and direct the mise-en-scène; select and direct the actors, extras and technical crew; advise the cast and crew on the interpretation and delivery of the performance; direct rehearsals, filmings, broadcasts and performances; and confer with crew and specialists throughout production and post-production to achieve desired presentation.

  Choreographers

  • Create dances for film, theatre and television performances that convey stories, ideas and moods, and direct rehearsals for dancers to achieve desired interpretation.

  Art directors

  • Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of motion pictures, video games, stage productions and television shows by overseeing the design of sets, costumes, furnishings and props to create portrayals of period and setting.

  Film editors

  • Edit motion picture film and arrange film segments into sequences to achieve continuity and desired dramatic, comedic and thematic effects.

  Record producers

  • Plan and coordinate the production of musical recordings, direct musicians and singers during rehearsals and recordings and manage technicians involved in duplicating, dubbing and mastering of recordings.

  Directors of photography

  • Coordinate and direct the photography of motion pictures, supervise camera operators and other crews and determine lighting, lenses, camera angles, backgrounds and other elements to achieve desired visual effect.

• Employment requirements

  Producers, directors and film editors

  • A university degree or college diploma in the performing arts, broadcasting, journalism, business administration, theatre production or film studies and experience in a technical or production occupation in motion pictures, broadcasting or theatre are usually required.

  Choreographers

  • A university degree or college diploma in dance, or a period of study at a school of dance and extensive training with a dance company are usually required.

  Record producers

  • A university degree or college diploma in music or the recording arts and experience in a technical or production occupation in the recording arts are usually required.

  Directors of photography

  • A university degree or college diploma in film studies or cinematography and experience in camera operation or another technical occupation in video or motion picture production are usually required.

  Demonstrated creative ability is required for all occupations in this unit group.

• Additional information

  • Membership in a related guild or union may be required.

51121 - Conductors, composers and arrangers

Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They are employed by symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • arranger
  • bandmaster
  • choir director
  • composer
  • conductor
  • music adapter
  • orchestrator
  • singer-songwriter-composer
  • songwriter

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • artistic director - music
  • lyricist
  • musical director

• Exclusion(s)

  • Musicians and singers (See 51122 Musicians and singers)
  • Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (See 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Conductors

  • Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances.

  Composers

  • Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.

  Arrangers

  • Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances.

  Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular music.

• Employment requirements

  • A university degree in music or completion of a program at a music academy, conservatory or school of music is usually required.
  • A period of specialized study related to conducting, composing or arranging is usually required.
  • Experience as a musician is required.
  • Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.

• Additional information

  • Composers often work as arrangers.

51122 - Musicians and singers

Musicians and singers perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios. This unit group also includes music teachers who usually teach in conservatories, academies and private homes.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • accompanist
  • church organist
  • guitar player
  • instrumentalist
  • music teacher - musicians
  • musician
  • opera singer
  • percussionist
  • recording artist
  • rock singer
  • singer
  • vocalist

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Conductors, composers and arrangers (See 51121 Conductors, composers and arrangers)
  • Music professor - university (See 41200 University professors and lecturers)
  • Music teacher - elementary school (See 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)
  • Music teacher - secondary school (See 41220 Secondary school teachers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Musicians

  • Play one or more instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group before audiences or for recording purposes.

  Singers

  • Sing musical arrangements as soloists or as members of vocal groups before audiences or for recording purposes.

  Teachers of music or voice

  • Teach technique, interpretation and music theory to students through private or group lessons.

  Musicians and singers usually specialize in specific genres of music such as classical, country, ethnic, jazz, opera or popular music.

• Employment requirements

  • Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
  • Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
  • Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
  • Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.