named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Apprenticeship
Three-year training program for Scenic Artists in New York City and St. Louis combining on-the-job and classroom instruction.
Examination / Portfolio Review
Process for applicants to demonstrate skills in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design, scenic art, and other categories; includes portfolio review and practical exams depending on discipline.
Live Performance Membership Candidate Programs
On-the-job training for early-career designers in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and LORT productions, allowing non-members to work under union agreements and gain professional experience.
Professional Membership
Pathway for individuals employed under Collective Bargaining Agreements in Broadway, Off-Broadway, LORT, television, film, and other sectors to join the union; requires employer verification and a vote by membership.
Union Project Agreements (UPAs)
Enables members to work with employers not under a CBA through standardized contracts that ensure union wages, benefits, and working conditions.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Labor Union Representation & Organizing 2 activities
- Negotiates and maintains collective bargaining agreementsEngages in collective bargaining with employers across theatre, film, television, opera, dance, and scenic shops to establish and uphold standards for wages, working hours, working conditions, and benefits. These agreements cover health insurance, retirement benefits, and employment terms for members.
- Organizes and represents entertainment and decorative arts professionalsOrganizes and represents over 5,000 designers, artists, craftspeople, and department coordinators in the entertainment and decorative arts industries to protect craft standards, working conditions, and wages through union representation and advocacy.
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Musician Advocacy and Labor Representation 1 activity
- Advances industry welfare through collective advocacyAdvances the welfare of the entertainment industry and its members through collective advocacy, representation, and efforts to maintain fair wages, reasonable hours, and proper working conditions.
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Labor-Backed Candidate Endorsements & Electoral Support 1 activity
- Engages in political and public advocacyEndorses candidates for public office, including Vicki Davis for New York State Assembly, Alex Sewell for Town of Kent Supervisor, and Sylke Jackson for Clarkstown Town Council, and issues public statements on social justice issues such as condemning ICE raids and supporting the Day of Truth and Freedom.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Provides education, training, and professional developmentOperates an Education Department to deliver training resources, runs three-year apprenticeship programs for Scenic Artists in New York City and St. Louis combining on-the-job and classroom instruction, and offers early-career training through Design Membership Candidate Programs on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and LORT productions. Also oversees Regional Boards that administer entrance examinations for membership.
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Union and Association Benefit Funds 1 activity
- Secures and administers health and retirement benefitsSecures employer contributions to health and retirement benefit funds through collective bargaining agreements, administers a defined benefit pension fund, offers a 401(k) plan with employer matching in certain agreements, and facilitates access to the IATSE National Annuity Fund through employer-only contributions.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Administers employment and contract documentationProcesses and requires Cover Sheets as individual contracts for designers and assistant designers in live performance projects, and administers Union Project Agreements for members working with employers not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
- Provides member representation in production projectsRepresents members in a wide range of live performance and recorded media productions, including scenic, costume, and lighting design projects for theatre, opera, television, and digital media, ensuring contractual and professional standards are upheld.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$8.65M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$7.75M90%
Investment income$808K9%
Other revenue$86K
expenses
Total expenses$9.18M
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$5.20M
Grants paid out$33K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$21.12M
Cash$1.91M
Investments$8.34M
Liabilities$7.98M
Net assets$13.14M
Liquid reserves13.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -13.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 25
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARL MULERT | Na Busi Agent | 40 | $356K |
| Michael Smith | Fin'l secretary | 40 | $258K |
| JOSHUA A AUSTIN | Communications Dir | 40 | $210K |
| Caitlin McConnell | WR Bus Agent | 1 | $196K |
| Matthew Walters | CR Bus. Agent | 50 | $196K |
| KEVIN SCIOTTO | BUSINESS REP | 40 | $192K |
| LEVONNE BARRY | Director of Oper. | 40 | $186K |
| ADAM LEVI | Business Represent | 40 | $184K |
| NATALIE ROBIN | Organizer | 40 | $173K |
| EDWARD PIERCE | President | 1 | $68K |
| DEIRDRA GOVAN | Vice President | 4 | $33K |
| HOPE ARDIZZONE | CORRESP SECRTY | 4 | $33K |
| CRICKET MYERS | WRB Sec/Treasur | 1 | $13K |
| Pamela Shaw | WRB CHAIR/W TR | 1 | $13K |
| Catherine Nasch | Chair | 1 | $9K |
| Tracy Christensen | ERB SEC/TREASUR | 1 | $9K |
| Justin Schmitz | Eastern Trustee | 1 | $9K |
| AMITH CHANDRASHAKER | Eastern Trustee | 1 | $8K |
| BRADLEY KING | Eastern Trustee | 1 | $8K |
| GAIL BUCKLEY | Eastern Trustee | 1 | $8K |
| JENNIFER SCHRIEVER | ERB Rep. | 1 | $8K |
| Janice Pytel | Central Trustee | 1 | $8K |
| ROB MILBURN | CR TRUSTEE | 1 | $8K |
| Whitney Adams | Eastern Trustee | 1 | $8K |
| MARY BADGER | CRE CR/401KT TR | 1 | $8K |
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- ABC, CBS & NBC Network Television Partner — Employer under collective bargaining agreements for costume, production, and art department professionals in network television.
- CTG Ahmanson Theatre Partner — Party to a collective bargaining agreement for theatrical designers in the Western Region.
- Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor Council Partner — Collaborates with the Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor Council on industry matters.
- Costume Designer Partner — Collaborates with Scenic Designers to coordinate colors and style for productions.
- Council of Broadway Unions and Guilds Partner — Collaborates with the Council of Broadway Unions and Guilds to address industry issues.
- IATSE Coalition — Local USA 829 operates as a local union within the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), working under its broader agreements and structure.
- IATSE Government — Parent union under which Local USA 829 operates; collects per capita tax and administers dues and fees.
- IATSE Network — Local USA 829 is a local union within the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
- IATSE Network — Local USA 829 is a part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
- IATSE National Benefit Funds Government — Provides health insurance through the IATSE National Benefit Funds, Health Plan “C”.
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE Partner — United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 is an affiliate union of IATSE, part of a larger labor organization.
- LA Opera Partner — Employer under Local USA 829 contract for scenic, costume, and lighting designers.
- League of Resident Theatres (LORT) Partner — Party to a collective bargaining agreement covering live performance designers in regional theaters.
- Lighting Designer Partner — Receives set plans from Scenic Designers to develop lighting plots.
- New York Production Locals Partner — Works with the New York Production Locals to address issues within the entertainment industry.
- San Francisco Opera Partner — Party to a collective bargaining agreement covering design and art department roles in opera productions.
- Scenery Supplier Partner — Partner organization where Scenic Designers supervise construction of set elements.
- Seattle Children's Theatre Partner — Employer covered under Local USA 829 agreements for theatrical design and coordination roles.
- Sesame Workshop Partner — Employer covered under Local USA 829 collective bargaining agreements.
- Set Decorator Partner — Collaborates with Scenic Designers to dress sets and realize the visual design.
- Sid Solomon Partner — Benefits & Support Services Liaison who provides direct assistance to members navigating benefits and support services.
- Sound Designer Partner — Receives set plans from Scenic Designers to develop sound plots.
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company Partner — Party to a collective bargaining agreement for scenic and design professionals in the Central Region.
- The ReThread Project Partner — Endorsed and supports The ReThread Project’s initiative to preserve space for makers in New York City’s Garment District.
- USA 829 Safety Department Partner — Collaborates on safety training programs, directing inquiries for OSHA courses to the Safety Department.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collective Bargaining for Industry Standardsmethodology: collective_bargainingBy using collective bargaining and contractual enforcement, the organization establishes minimum wages, benefits, and working conditions across sectors of the entertainment industry, because standardized labor protections ensure fair treatment, uphold craft integrity, and prevent race-to-the-bottom competition among workers.
- Labor Advocacy Combined with Professional Standardsmethodology: labor-professional dual modelBy combining labor union advocacy with professional association standards, the organization advances both worker welfare and artistic quality, because integrating workplace protections with craft integrity ensures sustainable careers and high-caliber production outcomes.
- Structured Training Through Apprenticeship and Mentorshipmethodology: apprenticeship-modelBy providing structured on-the-job training through formal apprenticeships and mentorship by experienced professionals, the organization develops skilled scenic artists, because hands-on learning in real-world settings produces greater technical mastery and career continuity than classroom instruction alone.