Exam Info: Central Region

NOTE: Adobe Acrobat Reader is the recommended software program for completing the PDF forms associated with your application. The software is available to download for free: here. Apple's Preview program does not always correctly store data entered in the form. Please share this information with your References when sending your Recommendation Form.

Categories

Portfolio Reviews are given in five categories of membership: Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Design and Scenic Art. Working Projection Designers interested in making application: click here. 

Application Information

Applicants should send the Application Form, a Résumé and the non-refundable fee of $200.00 to the Central Region Office (111 N. Wabash #2107, Chicago IL, 60602) care of (Your Category) Exam Committee. The fee must be paid by personal check only made payable to "United Scenic Artists Local USA 829."

The reviewers will be looking for the specific skills required for each category. Experience in the profession is the best preparation, and applicants from academic or fine arts backgrounds are encouraged to work in the field before applying to the Union.

Portfolio Reviews

IMPORTANT: The following information overrides any previous details found in outdated exam forms.
Updated Initiation Fee Structure:
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 allows applicants to apply for membership via portfolio review. The Initiation Fee for all Designers and Scenic Artists is typically $3,500, but currently, there is a rebate of $2,000 for anyone admitted through the Portfolio Review process. This makes the actual Initiation Fee $1500 for those people. There are additional IATSE dues and fees totaling approximately $320 (as of January 2022) for new members. All fees must be paid before final acceptance into membership. 

Portfolio Review Scheduling 

* All materials must include:  

• Application  
• $200 Portfolio Review Fee 
• Resume  
• 3 Letters of Recommendation  

The portfolio review process will not be initiated until all materials are received; however, we may request a a digital portfolio for review. 

Central Region Exam Forms (All Categories)

• Application Form: Central Region
• Recommendation Form: Central Region (This document is best viewed offline. To view, download and open using Adobe Reader.)
  • Non-fillable Recommendation Form (must download and manually complete) 

Scenic Artist Portfolio Scheduling

Please contact Central Region Business Representative Matt Walters (mwalters@usa829.org) for more information about joining the union as a Scenic Artist.  

IATSE TTF Safety First! Online Training Requirement

Applicants who have successfully completed an exam/review and who have been recommended for membership by an exam committee are required to complete one of two selected online safety courses as part of the final membership application process. The IATSE TTF Safety First! Online Courses promote safe working conditions by providing information, tools, and resources to recognize potential hazards and minimize risks.  Health and Safety has always been a priority for Local USA 829, and training is available to ensure Artists and Designers have the skills and knowledge they need.

Professional Membership Application

Professional Membership is available as an alternative to portfolio review to those qualified applicants working under a collective bargaining agreement who wish to join professionally and bypass the portfolio review process, and to those who do not have a portfolio or other materials available for review. There is currently no rebate for Professional Membership.  

See How to Join for more information on the Professional Membership Application.