Associated Designers of Canada

10/09/2026

New ADC Workshop Announcement! Join us online for 'Seeing the Light: Lighting Design for Set and Costume Designers,' with Leigh Ann Vardy. Gain a practical introduction to the principles of lighting design and discover how lighting choices affect scenery, costumes, colour, texture, and the overall visual world of a production.

🗓️ October 19, 2026
⏰ 8 PM ET | 5 PM PT
📍 Online

Designed specifically for set and costume designers, this workshop will explore lighting terminology, equipment, colour, angle, intensity, and the lighting design process. Participants will learn how to communicate their ideas, share materials and design information, anticipate potential challenges, and collaborate more effectively with lighting designers from early planning through technical rehearsals.

Workshops are open to everyone, both members and non-members, across Canada and beyond. Attendance is free of charge. Advance registration is required. Visit designers.ca/workshops to register.

Image illustration by Denyse Karn

09/22/2026

Get ready for another exciting round of Drinks With Designers! Join us this fall for an amazing chance to network with fellow designers and industry professionals. For our friends in Vancouver, we're also planning a 'Desserts with Designers' event. We will announce the date and time on our socials, so stay tuned.

Everyone is welcome! Bring your theatre friends, and we'll see you there!

*UPDATE! The Stratford event has been moved to ‘Bentley’s Bar’ at 99 Ontario Street. Same date and time.

09/08/2026

❤️

08/29/2026

In other award news - we are excited to announce that applications for our 2026 Jack King Award are now OPEN! This year, the award amount has increased to $4,000 to support your creative goals!

This award supports a Canadian live performance designer in pursuit of personal artistic development. Applications should focus on artistic development – a period of creative exploration, skill acquisition, or apprenticeship – rather than on the completion of a specific project. Designers of any age and at any stage in their careers, including those transitioning to another discipline, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a Full, Associate, or Emeritus member of ADC and have at least four years of professional design experience.

Visit https://designers.ca/awards/ to apply. For more information or any inquiries, contact Denyse Karn at [email protected].

08/26/2026

We are deeply disappointed in TAPA’s decision to consolidate all design disciplines into a single award category. This doesn’t honour “the full scope of design craft”: it demonstrates an ignorance of the artistic crafts and dishonours the contributions of designers to what you see and hear on stages across Toronto.

We believe it is vital to recognize and celebrate the unique way each design discipline builds a world for our audiences. This watering down of the Dora Awards will be detrimental to the understanding of design and the recognition of its many art forms.

The Associated Designers of Canada condemns TAPA Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts' decision and we encourage everyone to share this post, write to TAPA ([email protected]) to express your thoughts about their decision, and consider boycotting the 2027 Dora Awards.

IATSE Canada IATSE Local 58 I.A.T.S.E. Local 828 United Scenic Artists Local USA 829

08/05/2026

Welcome to OFFSTAGE – Episode 9: Scrappy & CourageousIn this conv...

06/24/2026

🚨 Attention all designers! Design Futures: ADC's National Mentorship Program is now accepting applications!

This program is a unique, paid mentoring experience created by designers, for designers. The application is done by the mentee. The mentee will have contacted a Full ADC659 member as a dedicated mentor and identified at least one of the mentor's projects to work on, from initial design discussions through opening night. The mentee and mentor will determine the nature of the working relationship based on each mentee's needs and desired learning outcomes. Mentees will receive a $2,500 fee, and mentors will receive an honorarium of $750.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://designers.ca/programs/mentorship-program/.
Applications close: July 15th, 2026

(Image artwork by Denyse Karn)

06/23/2026

📣 Applications are now OPEN for our Design in Action: ADC’s National Assistant Designer Program! This program supports Full ADC659 Designers in hiring emerging or early-career designers as assistants on professional live performance productions. Full ADC659 Designers across the country are encouraged to apply to hire an Assistant Designer.

Assistants are provided with $27.50/hour, up to a maximum of $ 3,300 or 120 hours per Assistantship.

Applications are open to all, with priority given to those who identify as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQIAP, Deaf, Person with Disabilities, women, or who identify with intersections of any of the above—applications close: July 15th, 2026.

Learn more and apply at https://designers.ca/programs/design-in-action-adc-national-assistant-design-program/

(Image artwork by Denyse Karn)

06/09/2026

The summer edition of Drinks With Designers (DWD) is happening soon, with events taking place across the country from June 14 to 22. IATSE Local ADC659 will once again be providing nibbles! Check the graphics to find the location and time nearest you!

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect with your local theatre community. Everyone is welcome!

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Susan Benson - Set and Costume Designer and painter - on her Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award! The GGPPA's were presented on June 5th during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Susan Benson, C.M. – Set and costume designer and painter