The Central Region Apprenticeship Committee of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 in Chicago, Illinois will be accepting applications for apprenticeship beginning July 10, 2025 at 9:00am. Application forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To be considered a viable candidate, applications must be received by August 31, 2025 by 4:30 pm. There is 1 position open for the 2025-2028 apprenticeship program and employment will commence in FALL 2025.
All applicants must fully meet the following minimum qualifications upon acceptance into the program.
1. You must be 18 years or older
2. You must be a High School graduate or have a G.E.D.
3. There is a $50 application fee, your check should be mailed to:
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 IATSE
111 North Wabash Ave, Suite 2107
Chicago, Illinois, 60602
The committee will notify applicants of their interview time. Interviews will be held on September 12 & 13, 2025 at the United Scenic Artists Central Region Office. The interviewers will consider the following attributes: Reliability, Judgment, Collaboration, Interest, and Attitude.
At the same time there will be a Portfolio Review. Your portfolio should include a minimum of six (6) pieces of your own work. The committee is looking for representational drawings/ paintings, a variety of paint samples, and/ or printed photos of completed work.
Upon successful completion of the interview/portfolio review, there will be a Practical Exam of basic artistic skills administered by the committee on September 14, 2025 in Chicago.
All applications will be received without regard to race, color, hairstyle and hair texture, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, medical condition (including genetic characteristics), sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, linguistic characteristics (such as accent or limited English proficiency where not substantially job related), marital status, political persuasion, citizenship status, arrest records, or any other categories protected by the state of Illinois, municipal law, and Union membership. Apprentices will be selected in order of their ranking of the combined scores of Part 1 and Part 2 of the exam.
Once accepted into the program the rate of pay begins at 50% of the journey artist’s rate and increases annually after successfully completing the requirements of that program year. Seminar classes are mandatory and conducted throughout each year from September 2025 until August 2028. Employment will commence in FALL 2025.