United Scenic Artists 829

What United Scenic Artists 829 does

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE is a labor union and professional association representing over 5,000 active members working as Designers, Scenic Artists, Craftspeople, and Art/Costume Department Coordinators across the U.S. entertainment industry — including Broadway, Off-Broadway, LORT (League of Resident Theatres), opera, ballet, film, television, commercials, and scenic shops. Founded in 1896/1897 and re-affiliated with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in 1999, the union operates through three regional business offices (Eastern/NYC headquarters, Central/Chicago, Western/Burbank) plus business representatives in Boston and Washington DC. Its core offerings are not software products but membership services: negotiation and administration of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with employers such as the Broadway League, LORT, major film studios (Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox), the Metropolitan Opera, and American Ballet Theatre; administration of health (IATSE National Benefit Funds Plan C), pension, 401(k), and annuity benefits; a member portal and searchable member directory; three-year Scenic Artist apprenticeship programs in NYC, Chicago, and St. Louis; and education/safety resources.

The union's revenue is generated almost entirely from member initiation fees (approximately $1,500 net for most categories after a $2,000 exam rebate on a $3,500 fee; $250 for Industrial Members) plus recurring member dues and the IATSE per capita tax. Distribution is direct-to-member via regional offices and an online portal, with employer relationships maintained through negotiated CBAs and Union Project Agreements (UPAs). The organization's digital footprint is limited to member/employer login portals, a member search system, an SDS (Safety Data Sheet) lookup, and a Tech Committee resource hub that curates — rather than builds — third-party AI, Unreal Engine, and virtual production materials for members. No public-facing API, proprietary software products, or in-house AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Name

United Scenic Artists 829

Legal name

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE

Website

https://usa829.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE is a labor union representing over 5,000 Designers, Scenic Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators across U.S. live performance, film, television, and scenic shop sectors through collective bargaining, benefit administration, and apprenticeship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services for Entertainment Industry Professionals

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Labor union representation
• Collective bargaining agreements
• Entertainment industry union
• Scenic artist training
• Wage and benefits negotiation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Dues and Initiation Fees: USA 829 generates revenue through membership initiation fees (currently $3,500 for most categories, with $2,000 rebate for those admitted through exam process, making actual fee $1,500; plus approximately $330 in IATSE per capita tax, administration fee, and USA 829 dues and fees). Industrial Members pay $3,500 initiation fee with no rebate. Ongoing member dues fund union operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE is a labor union and professional association representing over 5,000 Designers, Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators in the entertainment and decorative arts industries. The union negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements covering wages, working conditions, and benefits across theatre, film, television, commercials, opera, ballet, and industrial shows. It also administers health and retirement benefits programs, conducts three-year apprenticeship programs for scenic artists, provides education and safety training, and operates member and employer digital portals.

Product overview

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE is a labor union and professional association founded in 1896, representing over 5,000 Designers, Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators in the entertainment and decorative arts industries. The organization is not a software product company but rather provides membership services including collective bargaining agreement administration, health and retirement benefits programs, member search functionality, education and training (including apprenticeship programs, safety training, sustainability resources, and wellness resources), and contract management for members working in film, theatre, opera, ballet, television, commercials, and industrial shows. The organization's offerings span eight distinct membership categories: Scenic Artist, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Projection Designer, Computer Artist, and Coordinators. Member-facing digital services include member and employer login portals, but no public API or AI capabilities are documented.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Union Membership Services Professional association membership for Designers, Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators in the entertainment and decorative arts industries. Over 5,000 active members work in film, theatre, opera, ballet, television, industrial shows, commercials, and exhibitions under one of eight membership categories: Scenic Artist, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Projection Designer, Computer Artist, and Art/Costume Department Coordinators.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Administration Negotiation and administration of collectively bargained agreements covering wages, working conditions, premium pay, grievance procedures, and employer contributions for health and retirement benefits across scenic shops, theatre, film, television, commercials, opera, and dance sectors. CBAs cover the Broadway League, LORT theatres, major film studios, television networks, opera and ballet companies, and AICP commercial producers.
• Health and Retirement Benefits Programs Group health insurance through IATSE National Benefit Funds Plan C, plus retirement funds including United Scenic Artists Pension Fund, Local USA 829 401(k) Retirement Plan (administered by Zenith American Solutions, with Fidelity Investments as record keeper/custodian), and IATSE National Annuity Fund (administered by IATSE National Benefit Funds, with Principal Financial as recordkeeper). Administered by Benefit Plans, Inc. (BPI) for the Pension Fund.
• Union Project Agreements (UPAs) Contract vehicles for USA 829 members working for employers not covered by CBAs, including Standard Design Agreements for Theatre, Dance, and Opera, and Project Only Agreements. Enables union representation and benefit fund contributions for project-based work outside established CBA relationships.
• Scenic Artist Apprenticeship Programs Three-year training programs for Scenic Artists in New York City, Chicago, and St. Louis combining approximately 4,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with classes led by working Scenic Artists in craft skills, health, and safety. Provides a direct pathway to full union membership for apprentices.
• Education and Training Classes Ongoing professional education for members including Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED/Bloodborne Pathogens certification (in partnership with American Heart Association), QLab training, Digital Illustration, drafting software (Drafty), safety courses, mental health resources, and Design Membership Candidate Programs for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and LORT theatres.
• Safety Resources and Training Comprehensive safety services including a safety library, respirator fit testing, safety courses (OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour), safety apps, safety bulletins, mental health hub, harassment training, unconscious bias training, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) lookup system at usa829.kha.com, and access to the IATSE Safety Hotline (844.422.9273). Includes safety inquiry forms and a Safety Data Sheet lookup system.
• Member Search & Availability Directory Searchable online directory of union members by skills, specializations, industries, and languages. Includes availability lists for various specializations including Scenic Art, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Computer Art, and Projection Design, allowing employers and producers to identify qualified union professionals.

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 1999USA 829 is an IATSE affiliate local. The re-affiliation with IATSE in 1999 after disaffiliating from IBPAT provides access to IATSE National Benefit Funds (health, welfare, annuity), safety resources, and broader entertainment labor union network. Members receive health insurance through IATSE National Benefit Funds Plan C and access to IATSE Safety Hotline (844.422.9273).
• Council of Broadway Unions and GuildscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA 829 works with the Council of Broadway Unions and Guilds along with other industry groups to address issues within the entertainment industry. This coalition coordinates labor efforts across Broadway production crafts.
• New York Production LocalsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with New York Production Locals to address industry-wide labor issues and coordinate representation for entertainment industry workers in the New York market.
• Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor Council for addressing labor issues in the Chicago entertainment market where USA 829 has Central Region operations.
• American Heart AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA 829 partners with American Heart Association to provide Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED/Bloodborne Pathogens training certification courses for members, with classes held at Local One facilities.
• Fuse Technology GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 2023 Fuse Technology Group x Local USA 829 Virtual Production Event featuring production designer Howard Cummings discussing virtual production volume work on HBO's Westworld.
• IATSE National Benefit FundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIATSE National Benefit Funds serves as administrator of the IATSE Health & Welfare Fund and Annuity Fund. USA 829 members receive health insurance through IATSE National Benefit Funds Health Plan C, a flexible program designed for project-based entertainment industry workers.
• Benefit Plans, Inc. (BPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPI serves as administrator of the USA 829 Pension Fund, managing defined benefit retirement plans for members working under union agreements.
• Zenith American SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZenith American Solutions administers the USA 829 401(k) Plan, providing retirement savings administration for union members.
• Fidelity InvestmentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFidelity Investments serves as record keeper and custodian of the USA 829 401(k) Plan, managing member retirement account investments.
• Principal FinancialmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal serves as recordkeeper of the IATSE Annuity Fund, providing annuity retirement benefits for USA 829 members through employer contributions.
• Broadway Green AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partnership with Broadway Green Alliance - an industry coalition working to reduce environmental impact of theatrical productions. USA 829 Sustainability Committee shares resources from this organization.
• Julie's BicycleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Julie's Bicycle - a charity mobilizing the arts and culture sector to take action on climate change. Resources shared through USA 829 Sustainability Committee.
• Earth AngelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partnership with Earth Angel - green production services company. Listed as sustainability resource for USA 829 members.
• Green Production GuideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Green Production Guide for sustainability resources helping USA 829 members implement environmentally responsible practices in productions.
• Alison Fields, The Tapping SolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness partnership providing The Tapping Solution app access for USA 829 members - emotional freedom technique resources for stress management and wellness.
• HeadspaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness partnership providing Headspace meditation app resources for USA 829 members - mindfulness and meditation tools for stress reduction and mental health.
• Insight TimerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness partnership with Insight Timer meditation app - world's largest free meditation library with guided meditations and timer for USA 829 member wellness.
• TerrapassminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offset partnership with Terrapass through USA 829 Sustainability Committee - provides carbon offset resources for members to reduce travel and production environmental impact.
• Materials For the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYC Materials For the Arts for scenic material reuse and recycling resources, supporting sustainable production practices.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AFL-CIO: National labor federation of which IATSE (USA 829's parent) is an affiliate. Comparable as the umbrella body providing political advocacy, cross-union organizing, and labor policy infrastructure that indirectly shapes USA 829's operating environment and contract negotiations.
• SAG-AFTRA: Labor union representing performers and broadcast professionals across film, television, and new media. Comparable as a much larger entertainment labor union with film/TV CBA infrastructure that intersects with USA 829's motion picture agreements on the same productions.
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE): USA 829's parent labor federation representing stagecraft workers across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization administering the benefit funds USA 829 members rely on and negotiating master agreements that USA 829 CBAs sit alongside.

Direct peers

• Actors' Equity Association: Labor union representing stage managers and live theatrical actors in the U.S. Comparable as a craft-based entertainment labor union with CBAs covering the same Broadway, LORT, and Off-Broadway producers USA 829 contracts with, sharing the same collective bargaining counterparties.
• Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800): IATSE local representing Production Designers, Art Directors, and Set Designers in film, television, and commercials. Closely comparable as it represents overlapping design crafts in motion pictures, often negotiating parallel or jointly-administered agreements for the same Hollywood studios.
• Directors Guild of America: Labor union representing directors, unit production managers, and assistant directors in film and television. Comparable as a motion picture craft union negotiating film/TV CBAs with the same major studios that USA 829 represents designers and scenic artists for.
• Stage Directors and Choreographers Society: Labor union representing stage directors and choreographers in live theatrical productions. Comparable as a craft-specific entertainment union with CBAs covering Broadway, LORT, and Off-Broadway producers — the same employer base USA 829 bargains with.

Others

• Writers Guild of America: Labor union representing writers in film, television, streaming, and new media. Comparable as a parallel entertainment industry union with film/TV CBA infrastructure that contracts with the same studios and production companies USA 829 serves.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - IATSE Local Locals (e.g., Local 728): IATSE-affiliated local representing lighting technicians and electrical crafts in entertainment. Comparable as a sister craft union sharing producers and IATSE benefit fund infrastructure, with overlapping jurisdiction on lighting crew scopes that touch USA 829 lighting designer work.
• American Federation of Musicians: Labor union representing professional musicians in live performance, recording, and broadcasting. Comparable as an adjacent entertainment craft union serving Broadway and orchestral productions where USA 829 designers also work, sharing employer counterparties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usa829iatse
• Facebookfacebook.com/usa829.iatse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-scenic-artists-local829

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Scenic Artists 829