History of the ADC

Incorporated in 1965, Associated Designers of Canadais a national, professional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to representing the interests of set, costume, lighting, projection and sound designers working in the live performing arts in Canada. In the summer of 2020, ADC members voted in favour of affiliation with IATSE, as ADC Local 659. Local 659 has been active since January 2021.

Affiliation creates ADC as a chartered IATSE local with national jurisdiction without requiring a certification election overseen by a provincial labour relations board. Further, it allows the organization to continue to use, and hopefully build upon, its current collective agreement with PACT. The union affiliation provides members benefits such as extended healthcare and a better retirement plan, while retaining the ADC’s institutional autonomy and distinct identity.

The Canadian Dimension wrote an article about ADC's decision to organize suggests a way forward for other cultural workers.

ADC’s objectives

• Promote theatrical design as an art form and an artistic profession in Canada
• Raise professional and public awareness, through leadership and advocacy, of theatrical design and its role in Canadian theatre
• Advocate for and represent the professional interests of theatrical designers working within and across Canada at all stages of their careers
• Provide professional assistance to Canadian independent design artists
• Significantly contribute to the vitality of the creation, production and presentation of theatre arts in Canada.