17,633 active companies in the UK are classified under performing arts (SIC code 90010). This sector falls under Section R — Arts, entertainment and recreation — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 10.6% dissolution rate — 17,633 of 20,984 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 185.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 105% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 7.6 years. 92 large companies, 1 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. The sector is heavily concentrated in London, which accounts for 31% of all companies. Companies in this sector hold 69 government contracts valued at £156.6M. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1905.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026
A rapidly growing sector with 185.3% of active companies formed since 2020.
The performing arts sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">10.6% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 7.6 years old. Geographic concentration: 31% in LONDON.
Companies in the performing arts sector have been awarded 69 government contracts worth £156.6M in total.
There are 17,633 active companies classified under SIC code 90010 (Performing arts) in the UK, out of 20,984 total registered.
SIC code 90010 stands for "Performing arts". It belongs to Section R — Arts, entertainment and recreation of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.
The largest concentrations are in LONDON (5,387), MANCHESTER (326), GLASGOW (309).
The average active performing arts company in the UK is 7.6 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1905.
Our database contains 145,266 data signals across 11 categories for active performing arts companies. The largest category is Governance with 74,501 signals from 6 government sources.
5.9M companies, 50M+ signals from 53 government sources. Risk scores, director networks, entity analysis.