Design in Action: ADC National Assistant Design Program

Program Description

Design in Action: ADC’s National Assistant Designer Program  is a program that supports Full ADC Designers in hiring emerging and mid-career designers as assistants on professional live performance productions

• ADC Designers across the country are encouraged to apply to hire an Assistant Designer.
• This program provides assistants with $27.50/hour up to a maximum of $3300 or 120 hours per Assistantship.
• Priority is given to those assistants who identify as Indigenous, black, person of colour, 2SLGBTQIAP, deaf, persons with disabilities, women, or intersections of any of the above. 

Applicant Eligibility

• Applications must have a demonstrated commitment to a career in theatre.
•  The assistant is not currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary program or institution.
• The assistantship is not currently being funded by another grant and/or program.
• The designer must apply with an assistant identified. 
• Assistant must be eligible to work in Canada.
• The ADC welcomes and encourages applications from individuals who identify as part of equity-seeking groups such as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQIAP, Deaf, Persons with Disabilities, women, or intersections of any of the above.
• If you have any questions or require accommodations to apply and/or would like to submit your materials in an alternative format, please contact denyse@designers.ca and we will be able to support you through email, phone or video call. 

Dates to Remember

• Applications open:May 20th, 2026
• Applications close: July 15th, 2026
• Successful applicants announced: August 15th, 2026
• Training must be completed between September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027

To Apply:

Below is a list of the questions you will need to answer in the application form:

• Name, email address, mailing address, phone number, website of Designer 
• Name, email address, mailing address, phone number of Assistant
• Is the assistant an ADC member?
• Hours needed for Assistant (Max. 120)
• Dates of Assistantship
• Show/s to be worked on? (Please include the title of the show, the theatre company, and the opening night date.)
• Show/s webpage if available.
• Resume of Designer 
• Resume of Assistant

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• Résumés should be a pdf that does not exceed one page in length (Max 10MB)

  Submit a complete application here, with all documents by 11:59pm (Pacific Time), July 15th, 2026. If you have any questions please contact denyse@designers.ca.

  Evaluation Process:

  • The applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. All applicants will be contacted by email with results regardless of success.

  The successful candidate and assistant will agree to the following: 

  • Successful applicants will be required to submit a final report. Final payment is contingent on receipt of the final reports, which is due one week after the end of the work period. Parts of the final report may be used in publicity material.
  • Funding Acknowledgement, all programs and promotions that include the mentee’s name must acknowledge the following: “The services of [Assistants name] were made possible through Design in Action: Associated Designers of Canada’s National Assistant Design Program“