Scenic Art Apprentice

Royal Opera House

LONDON, WC2E 9DD

Closes in 19 days (Friday 10 January)

Posted on 17 December 2024

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Summary

The Scenic Art Apprenticeship at the Royal Ballet & Opera is an opportunity to acquire the practical craft skills for creating scenery effects for ballet and opera that are transferrable to the wider performing arts industries. If you art interested in bringing a Designer's vision to life, gain these skills in one of Europe's busiest opera houses.

Annual wage
£14,144 to £25,282.40 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary increases by 2.5% in second year

Training course
Scenic artist (level 3)
Hours
The working week is 42.5 hours, usually 8:00am - 4:30pm. Shifts TBC.

42 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 22 April

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

  • Assist in the creation of all scenery requirements using a wide range of techniques, materials and finishes
  • Put all skills gained in training into practice in the workshop environment
  • Keep up to date with any new and improved painting techniques, materials or ways of working
  • Receive training and advice in all health and safety requirements
  • Maintain a clean and orderly working environment
  • Attend regular meetings with line manager, mentor and the Apprenticeships Manager to review progress
  • Create and maintain a scenic sketch book documenting your learning
  • Maintain a learning log book and submit regular written progress reports to the Apprenticeships Manager
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Scenic Painters Senior Manager or Apprenticeships Manager

Where you’ll work

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

COVENT GARDEN

LONDON

WC2E 9DD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED

Your training course

Scenic artist (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Liaise with designers and production managers to create or adapt work in accordance with requirements.
  • Use drawing equipment including a scale rule, measuring stick, straight edge, stencil making, pounce making and projection.
  • Draw using methods such as plotting, gridding, freehand and figurative.
  • Use painting theory for example colour mixing, product use, wood-graining, marbling, sign writing, trompe l’oeil, spray techniques, painting on various materials, appliques and cut-cloths, faux finishes, peeling and cracked paint.
  • Use carving and sculptural techniques for example polycarving, scrimming.
  • Apply texture techniques for example different texture products, additives and adhesives, accurate replication of given building materials, rendering of natural and man-made surfaces, ageing and distressing.
  • Use industry practices including accurate industry terminology and safe working practices.
  • Interpret the design process including model boxes and scale.
  • Use tools and equipment for example hand tools, hoists and lifts.
  • Operate and use mobile access equipment.
  • Undertake work on different surfaces.
  • Undertake the hanging and stretching out of cloths and wallpaper.
  • Undertake repair and modification, and finish activities as required and in accordance with safe working and manufacturing practices.
  • Modify any completed works during production if alterations are required by the director or designer.
  • Demonstrate and share best practice with the team.
  • Use IT systems to facilitate administrative, communications and online requirements for example diaries, blogs, schedules, budgets, costings and progress reports.
  • Communicate with others including understanding and responding to instructions and briefings.
  • Develop drawings, paintings, colour samples etc. in accordance with a design concept.
  • Maintain safe working practices and efficient use of hand tools, machinery, materials and resources.
  • Liaise with designers and production managers to create or adapt work in accordance with requirements.
  • Use drawing equipment including a scale rule, measuring stick, straight edge, stencil making, pounce making and projection.
  • Draw using methods such as plotting, gridding, freehand and figurative.
  • Use painting theory for example colour mixing, product use, wood-graining, marbling, sign writing, trompe l’oeil, spray techniques, painting on various materials, appliques and cut-cloths, faux finishes, peeling and cracked paint.
  • Use carving and sculptural techniques for example polycarving, scrimming.
  • Apply texture techniques for example different texture products, additives and adhesives, accurate replication of given building materials, rendering of natural and man-made surfaces, ageing and distressing.
  • Use industry practices including accurate industry terminology and safe working practices.
  • Interpret the design process including model boxes and scale.
  • Use tools and equipment for example hand tools, hoists and lifts.
  • Operate and use mobile access equipment.
  • Undertake work on different surfaces.
  • Undertake the hanging and stretching out of cloths and wallpaper.
  • Undertake repair and modification, and finish activities as required and in accordance with safe working and manufacturing practices.
  • Modify any completed works during production if alterations are required by the director or designer.
  • Demonstrate and share best practice with the team.
  • Use IT systems to facilitate administrative, communications and online requirements for example diaries, blogs, schedules, budgets, costings and progress reports.
  • Communicate with others including understanding and responding to instructions and briefings.
  • Develop drawings, paintings, colour samples etc. in accordance with a design concept.
  • Maintain safe working practices and efficient use of hand tools, machinery, materials and resources.

Your training plan

  • You will be based at the Royal Ballet and Opera’s purpose-built
    production workshop on the High House Production Park in
    Purfleet, Essex but may be required at other designated venues and at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
  • The apprenticeship will be split between the Royal Ballet and Oprea and Access Creative College
  • Some learning blocks will be delivered by RADA

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Other in:

  • (no previous qualifications required) (grade n/a)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • interest in theatre
  • Helpful, Positive Proactive
  • Punctual
  • Manage own workload
  • Self-motivated
  • Strong creative art skills

Other requirements

You must be 18 years old or over on 22 April 2025. You must have work authorisation for the UK. You must NOT have completed a university degree or equivalent level qualification in the UK or elsewhere. You muse be physically capable of undertaking the requirements of the job. Reasonable adjustments will be considered as part of your application.

About this company

We bring together the world’s most extraordinary artists in live, streamed and broadcast events and performances that thrill, move and excite; that transport people to other worlds. Our theatres are in London’s Covent Garden but our work is accessed and experienced across the UK and globally through touring partnerships, cinema programmes, free outdoor screenings, radio, TV and live-streaming.

http://www.roh.org.uk/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Able to secure entry level Scenic Art role or similar in the creative industries
  • Translate designs into 2D and 3D scenery suitable for productions in theatre or film art department

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED

recruitment@roh.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000292457.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Friday 10 January)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application form. These apprenticeships are designed for people who are passionate about pursuing a career, but who still have lots to learn! Don’t be afraid to give examples from your hobbies, clubs or school activities. We are not necessarily looking for any experience in a workplace.