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Research Services: Creative Industries

About Dun and Bradstreet Data and Methodology
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) is a company that provides business information for credit, marketing, and purchasing decisions. Its “data universal numbering system,” known at DUNS, issues unique, 9-digit numbers that are used by businesses and the Federal government to keep track of more than 70 million businesses worldwide. Some entities, such as states and universities, will also have what is known as “DUNS + 4,” which is used to identify specific units within a larger entity.

Each D&B registrant is also assigned an 8-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. The SIC codes identifies the arts industry sub-category in which you or your organization belongs. 

The table below provides the primary SIC codes for common nonprofit arts organizations. If you don’t see a match for your organization, refer to this detailed list of the 644 SIC codes, which contains information for all arts-related businesses and individual artists (both for-profit and nonprofit). Note that “arts council” is the most appropriate code for statewide advocacy groups and government arts agencies such as a cultural affairs department; therefore, they all share the same SIC code.

Common SIC Codes for Nonprofit Arts Organizations (view a complete list)

Organization Type	8-Digit SIC Code
Arts Council	86999902
Government Agency (e.g., Department of Cultural Affairs) (same SIC code as Arts Council)	86999902
Museum	84129902
Arts or Science Center	84120102
Art Gallery, non-commercial	84120101
Art School, non-commercial	82990101
Symphony Orchestra	79290111
Summer Theater	79220306
Opera Company	79220303
Theatrical Company	79220300
Performing Arts Center Production	79220203
Community Theater Production	79220202
Ballet Production	79220201
Dance Studios, Schools, and Halls	79110000
Theater Building, ownership and operation	65120302