The Work

-Train in their chosen art

-Exercise & practice: dance, singing, and music classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency (grades)

-This work requires a physical ability, and physical fitness

-Performing in front of audio visual equipment, live audience in venues or outdoors

-Performing as a solo artist with backline, theatre, direction team

-Work as pat of an ensemble group or cast to deliver art based performance accross disciplines

Further Information

• Performing Artist - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

There are many pathways to develop towards your chosen art for performance. Some learners choose to focus attention on their craft & art to develop their career. Some people in performing arts have a 'day job' in other industries and develop their career in performing arts whle working part or full time in other occupations.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Broadcasting, Media in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Music, Acting, Theatre & performing arts, Drama, Dance, Broadcasting, event management, sound engineering, Media courses around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: There are currently no dedicated apprenticeship options in the area of performing arts. 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Music, Acting, Theatre & performing arts, Drama, Dance, Broadcasting, Sound Engineering, Media courses around Ireland at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Music, Acting, Theatre & performing arts, Drama, Dance, Broadcasting, Sound Engineering, Media courses around Ireland at NFQ level 9.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €51k

Nature of work makes estimating annual salaries difficult as income often isn't steady across entire year.

The Review of Pay and Conditions in the Performing Arts in 2018 found that 74% of performing artists and creative practitioners rely on other sources of income and one third of artists and creative practitioners earned less than the National Minimum wage.

Salaries vary based on employer (sessional/budget based project), location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Theatreforum 2018/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Payscale.com/ DEASP

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was below average for this occupation; having peaked at 36,000 in 2022, levels have declined annually since. The CSO Labour Force Survey does not allow for a detailed breakdown of job titles within this occupation, but Census 2022 showed that over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2024 were for roles including actors, directors, producers, animators, graphic designers, linguists (ICT), dancers, and costume/set designers. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to jobs for authors, journalists & translators; although small in number, green skills mentioned in ads for journalists is most likely linked to the green economy to inform and generate awareness.

Overall, the data does not point to any significant issues in sourcing skills for this occupation.

• The Arts Council of Ireland

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