Sustaining Atypical Professions: Professional Structuration in the Creative Sector

Abstract

This chapter commences with an exploration of the diverse array of occupations within the creative sector, subsequently delving into the scholarly literature on the sociology of professions to delineate and differentiate the notions of professionalization and professionalism. A set of fundamental indicators is derived to examine their divergence from those in traditional professions, followed by a discussion of six underlying processes of professionalization that propel alterations in the overarching status of professionalism. The chapter investigates self-structuration practices devised by artists to address gaps in their professional infrastructure and constructs a “Choice Matrix” enumerating components and strategic decisions for creative professionals’ development and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the significance of these choices for individual artists, who are predominantly engaged in self-employment or self-managed protean careers. The chapter scrutinizes both the adaptation of classical dimensions of professionalism and the empowerment of individual artists through self-structuration efforts, enabling them to improvise or assemble benefits typically manifesting as collective support structures, practices, and processes in other professions. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Margaret J. Wyszomirski and WoongJo Chang.