Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
• Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
• Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
• Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
• Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
• Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
• Develop contacts with individuals and organisations, and apply effective strategies and techniques to ensure their clients' success.
• Schedule promotional or performance engagements for clients.
• Arrange meetings concerning issues involving their clients.
• Manage business and financial affairs for clients, such as arranging travel and lodging, selling tickets, and directing marketing and advertising activities.

Further Information

• Arts Agent / Promoter - from: GradIreland

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

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

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.

Most entrants to this field have an arts degree supplemented by relevant experience, a specialized knowledge of their chosen area and some post-graduate training. Post-graduate courses in arts administration are available. 

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Administration, Customer Service, General or Event Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business Administration, Sales, Art, Marketing, Arts at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Finance, Sales, Animation Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business Administration, Marketing, Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Arts at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO Coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Accounts, Management, Cultural policy & Arts NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.Income at times may derive from a stipend/ pro rata or be on a sessional basis. 

Data Source(s):
Visual Arts / Prosperity.ie / Sigmar / Morgan McKInley

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 (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

Marketing

Employment growth was strong for this occupation over the five-year period, particularly since 2019. Almost half of persons employed in this occupation were marketing specialists; the remainder were across occupations such as buyers/procurement officers, estate agents, property managers and conference managers. Demand for marketing specialists/executives (with languages), particularly in the ICT sector, was evident in the employment permit data. The shift to online services, which accelerated due to COVID-19, is likely to be contributing to an increased demand for digital marketing and research skills. The Recruitment Agency Survey highlighted issues in sourcing buyers and procurement analysts. The future demand for roles such as buyers and estate agents will very much depend on consumer spending in light of rising inflation.

• Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)

  • Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 2355
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• AOIFE Association for Irish festival events

  • C/o 307, Ballinasloe Enterprise & Technologic Centre Creagh Road Ballinasloe
  • (0)90 9645831
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here