APPRENTICE PROGRAM FOR SCENIC ARTISTS
The Apprenticeship Program is a three year (3-year) and four thousand (4,000) hour program, available in the Eastern Region only, combining work experience in a variety of scenic fields and other responsibilities, as mandated by the Union and required by the New York State Department of Labor. (Please NOTE: USA 829 has an Apprenticeship Program FOR SCENIC ARTISTS ONLY. There is NO SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR ANY DESIGNER CATEGORY)  

UPDATE: THE NEXT SCENIC ARTIST APPRENTICE PROGRAM CYCLE BEGINS JULY 2013

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 Apprenticeship Program will post the NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY for new apprentices below on July 1, 2013, and this NOTICE should be downloaded and read by all persons interested in the program. On October 1, 2013, the APPLICATION FORM & INFORMATION LETTER will also available below, and we will begin began accepting applications on October 1, 2013. The deadline for receipt of any Apprenticeship application will be January 10, 2014 and the screening for new apprentices will take place in Spring 2014. The new apprentices will be eligible for membership beginning July 2014.

  • 2013 NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY - Coming July 1, 2013

  • 2010 Scenic Artist Apprenticeship Program INFORMATION LETTER - Coming October 1, 2013

  • 2010 Scenic Artist Apprenticeship Program APPLICATION FORM - Coming October 1, 2013

OVERVIEW OF THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM FOR SCENIC ARTISTS

The Apprenticeship Program is a three-year program that is sponsored by the Local and is registered by the New York State Department of Labor. An Apprenticeship Exam will be offered periodically as dictated by the availability of work. All applications will be received without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex or sexual orientation. Interested parties must have the following minimum qualifications before making application to the program:

  1. Upon acceptance into the program applicant must show proof of being at least 18 years of age and have a valid Social Security number.
  2. Upon acceptance into the program applicant must have earned a High School diploma or G.E.D.
  3. Upon acceptance into the program applicant must have reliable transportation or means of transportation to job sites and related training locations.
  4. Upon acceptance into the program applicant must have the agility and physical ability to:
              A) Lift 5 gallons of paint, joint compound and/or other materials on the job.
              B) Work often at great heights on ladders, scaffolding, cranes, and genies (with fall protection) at indoor locations and exterior locations.
          C) Work outdoors on locations under various weather and temperature cond    itions, in extreme hot and cold, rain and snow.
          D) Work indoors, during the summer, in shops without air conditioning with temps well above 80 degrees.
          E) At studios or locations you may be asked to work long days ten or more hours, with the work-day beginning at 7am or earlier.
         F) Be willing to travel outside of the five boroughs of New York to work.
         G) In pre-production film work, and in scenic shops, Scenic Artists are working closely with other Locals that are engaged in using loud power tools, generating sawdust and welding fumes. Upon being accepted into the program, you will be required to be fit-tested for a respirator to protect you from unhealthy byproducts from materials used in our trade and those of other departments.
         H) Other protective equipment you may be asked to wear are safety glasses, hearing protectors, and work boots.
         I) Applicant must be able to pass a Trade-Specific Test in English (read & write in E    nglish).

The program is looking for applicants with a working knowledge of art, theatre, film and related industries, but with less than three (3) years of experience. The Apprenticeship Committee reserves the right to reject applicants possessing too much experience as a working Scenic Artist, and would recommend TRACK A or the TRACK B “OPEN” EXAM. See the EXAMS... EASTERN REGION: IN NYC page [left].

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE USA 829 APPRENTICES

The basic demands of the apprentices will be to complete approximately four thousand (4,000) hours of training in a variety of specific skills. Included in these hours are seminars that the apprentices are required to attend.personal sketchbook focusing on figure drawing and architectural studies is to be kept by the apprentice. Class work and homework projects and the sketchbook are reviewed and critiqued by the instructors and committee members.

Homework assignments will be given for certain classes and a personal sketchbook focusing on figure drawing and architectural studies is to be kept by the apprentice. Class work and homework projects and the sketchbook are reviewed and critiqued by the instructors and committee members.

The apprentices are also required to keep a logbook of tracking sheets to record the number of hours of on-the-job training and the skills they performed, as well as a one-page weekly activity sheet. This sheet is for you to write down the work processes you did daily on a job. At the end of a workweek, you will submit this sheet to the Charge Scenic Artist who will sign it. You will then return this activity sheet and the monthly tracking sheets to the Scenic Artist Apprenticeship Administrator. These tracking and activity sheets provide us with documentation of your work experiences and training skills as required by the New York State Department of Labor.

All apprentices must attend all Health and Safety classes given by the USA 829 Health and Safety Officer, Monona Rossol.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR INQUIRIES

     The Scenic Artist Apprenticeship Committee
     United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829
     29 West 38th Street
     15th Floor
     New York City, New York 10018