This article links reflections on youth work and culture from the concept of the creativity professionalization. After all, education and work are central themes for youth with real insertion problems; and culture has been pointed as essential for societies’ developments. Therefore, we present a search that aimed to contribute to the understanding of young managers and cultural producers through a mapping in the city of São Carlos (SP - Brazil). The methodology consisted of: i) mapping of programs, services and cultural artistic actions, from the different sectors, designed for or protagonized by young people, by applying a specific questionnaire; and ii) artists’ interviews (15 to 29 years), living in the city and with professionalization interests. From the mapping of these sectors, 210 young artists were indicated, with 96 conducted interviews and 46 young matching the profile. The analysis considered the artists from their artistic productions and the categories: identification, structure, professionalization and financing. The demands were marked by the financing and management difficulty which results in work precariousness in different areas, at the same time, dreams, satisfaction, ideological social transformation and sublimation of life, strengthen these young people in the struggle for professionalization of their art. It contributes, therefore, with public investment for the culture toward the transformative potential of cultural processes that produce sensitive displacement. In addition to strategies for development and social impact, adding, therefore, important knowledge and practices for occupational therapy