Freelance set and scenic designer

Community and independent theatres, school and university drama programs, dance companies, event planners and local festivals.

A design fee per production, often paid in stages (concept, drawings, final delivery). Add a fee for overseeing the build or installation.

• Drawing and 3D modelling
• Reading scripts and briefs
• Budgeting and costing a build
• Working with directors and clients

• Commercial general liability insurance, check what is needed if your designs are built by others
• Theatres and venues may have fire safety and structural rules for sets, check with each venue
• Check whether you need a business licence for working from home with your municipality
• Clear contracts on payment timing, since arts budgets can be tight and late
• Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Estimates put startup costs at typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your computer and 3D modelling software, drawing supplies and any insurance. Working from a home studio and hiring builders per project keeps costs lower.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many projects you take and what clients can pay. Arts budgets can be tight and payments late, so clear contracts on timing are worth having.

Check commercial general liability insurance, including what you need if others build your designs. Check each venue's fire safety and structural rules for sets, any home-based business licence with your municipality, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.