Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment

The Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment prepares students for entry-level careers as scenic artists across a wide range of entertainment venues, including: theater, theme parks, scenic shops, film, television, commercials, trade shows, and special events. Through hands-on training, students develop foundational skills in the tools, materials, techniques, and methods used by professional scenic artists.

Approximately 100 students are estimated to enroll in these sections annually. Two students are estimated to complete the program per year by the end of the second year of program operation. Three students are estimated to complete the program per year by the fifth year of program operation.

Based on labor market research data, there are 664 annual job openings projected through 2029. This is greater than the three-year average of 102 awards conferred by educational institutions in the region. The majority of job openings for set and exhibit designers are located in Los Angeles County. It is important to mention that many scenic art jobs fall under the gig economy, where there is no reliable method of tracking wages and employment. We assume the annual job openings to be higher.

The primary goal of the program is to equip students with the creative, technical, and professional competencies required to enter the entertainment industry as scenic artists. The program emphasizes both creative and technical proficiency, culminating in the development of a portfolio designed to support employment in scenic art and related entertainment production fields.

This program responds to student interest and workforce needs within Southern California’s entertainment industries. Entry-level scenic painters are expected to have practical skills, an understanding of production workflows, professional work habits, and the ability to work collaboratively under time and budget constraints.

Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment, students will be prepared for employment in the following scenic art occupations:

• Scenic Artist
• Scenic Painter
• Scene Shop Artisan
• Themed Entertainment Scenic Painter
• Production Artisan for Theater, Film, and Television
• Live Event and Special Event Scenic

Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment, students will have achieved the following occupational competencies:

• Apply scenic painting and surface treatment techniques, including color mixing, texturing, faux finishing, distressing, and aging.
• Prepare and finish scenic surfaces using appropriate materials and methods for stage, screen, and themed environments.
• Interpret and execute work based on design renderings, color models, paint elevations, research, and production specifications.
• Demonstrate safe and effective use of tools, equipment, and materials.
• Collaborate professionally within production teams, meeting deadlines and industry expectations.
• Develop a professional portfolio demonstrating technical skill, craftsmanship, and creative problem-solving.

Our hands-on learning environment enables students to practice their skills in an immersive setting that closely mirrors the pressures, requirements, and demands of the professional workplace. This aligns with the college mission by providing workforce preparation that responds to industry needs, supports regional creative economies, and offers students clear pathways to entry-level employment and continued professional growth.

The Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment has seven required courses (21 units), and an elective (2 units), totaling 23 units. The required courses include Tecthtr 300: Stagecraft, Tecthtr 305: Orientation to Technical Careers in Entertainment, Tecthtr 313: Scenic Art for Theater, Tecthtr 314: Advanced Scenic Art, Tecthtr 315: Introduction to Design for Theater, Tecthtr 340: Technical Theater Practicum, and Tecthtr 382: Sketching and Rendering for Design. The electives include Tecthtr 921: Cooperative Education Technical Stage Production, and Tecthtr 343: Scenery Practicum.

The Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment builds upon our current Skills Certificate in Scenic Art and does not replace any existing program at East Los Angeles College. ELAC currently offers robust programs in Theater Arts which support academic, transfer, and workforce goals, however these programs do not provide a dedicated CTE pathway focused specifically on scenic art as an occupation. This program will fulfill a specific need for scenic artists in the entertainment industry, and was identified through advisory meetings and discussions with individual industry professionals.

All of the courses in this program are applicable to the AA Degree in Theater Arts or the AA Transfer Degree in Theater. Some courses in this certificate may overlap with existing technical theater certificates, allowing students to apply coursework across programs where appropriate. Students will be able to complete this certificate within a two-year period. Alumni have attested they have achieved more skill and proficiency taking our theater courses than they have from their four-year transfer institutions.

This certificate is expected to serve a different but complementary student population, including students seeking direct entry into the workforce. ELAC Theater is a prolific producing organization, and all resources within the department are shared. The program will make effective use of existing ELAC facilities and resources, including theater spaces and shops, without requiring any new investments.

Several community colleges within commuting distance offer programs or coursework in technical theater, some of which include instruction in scenic painting and stagecraft. These programs typically emphasize theater production and design, rather than career-oriented training in scenic art.

ELAC Theater differs from these programs because of our career preparation, focus on employment skills, and our partnerships with industry professionals. This certificate emphasizes applied scenic art practices, including industry-standard materials, tools, techniques, and workflows used in theater, film, television, themed entertainment, and live events. The proposed program prioritizes hands-on production experience and portfolio development, preparing students for entry-level employment as scenic artists and production artisans.

We reviewed program descriptions of similar programs from Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Santa Monica College, and Pasadena City College. Our sister LACCD colleges, Los Angeles City College and Pierce College, offer certificates in technical theater. Coursework include scenic design and scenic art, however scenic art is not offered as a standalone certificate.

Santa Monica College’s technical theater program provides training in stagecraft, scenic and prop construction, lighting, sound, projection, and stage management. SMC offers a certificate in scenic design and construction, which includes scenic painting as part of their curriculum. In contrast, our proposed program is targeted to scenic art and painting, with a workforce focus that extends beyond theater.

Pasadena City College offers a certificate in technical theater which includes coursework in stage techniques, scenic design, costume crafts, makeup, and audio production. Their program is more broadly distributed across technical theater disciplines, rather than concentrated on scenic art and painting.

Given the scale and diversity of the regional entertainment industry, along with sustained student interest, the proposed program addresses a legitimate need in an area not currently served by existing programs.

For the Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment, the estimated annual student enrollment across core courses is approximately 21 students. This represents the total number of individual students enrolled per year with the expectation that students will enroll in multiple courses within the certificate sequence.

The following courses are offered on a two-year cycle: TECTHTR 305 and TECTHTR 382.

The following courses are offered each year: TECTHTR 300, TECTHTR 313, TECTHTR 314, and TECTHTR 315.

The following courses are offered every semester: TECTHTR 340, TECTHTR 343, and TECTHTR 921.

The Certificate of Achievement in Scenic Art for Entertainment is a new program, and not a program modification.