Kennedy Center Arts Workers United
We are the union arts professionals who earn a living working at the Kennedy Center
Who We Are
More than 1,500 union artists and arts professionals work on stage, behind the scenes, in orchestra pits, and inside rehearsal rooms at the Kennedy Center in any given year. We are members of:
Actors’ Equity Association (Equity)
Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) was founded in 1913 and is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers.
American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) was founded in 1896 and is the largest organization in the world representing professional instrumental musicians playing in orchestras, bands, clubs, and theater with 70,000 professional musicians in the United States and Canada.
Metropolitan Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 161-710
The Metropolitan Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians is a local union affiliated with the AFM. Members who perform at the Kennedy Center include musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, as well as the Washington National Opera music staff.
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the labor union of singers, dancers, and staging staff in opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance in the United States. AGMA has a national membership of over 6,000 artists. AGMA members working at the Kennedy Center include soloists and choristers, dancers, stage directors and choreographers, and stage managers.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.
IATSE Local 22
IATSE Local 22 is a local union of IATSE and represents stagehands, audio-visual technicians, and projectionists in the greater Washington, D.C. area, including in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
IATSE Local 772
IATSE Local 772 is a local union of IATSE and represents the wardrobe professionals working on theatrical productions in the Washington, D.C. region.
IATSE Local 868 and IATSE Local B-868
IATSE Local 868 and IATSE Local B-868 are local unions of IATSE and represent treasurers, ticket sellers, and telephone sales workers for theatre box offices in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists, IATSE Local 798
Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists (Local 798) is a local union of IATSE and represents make-up artists and hairstylists in the entertainment industry in motion picture/film, television, commercials and live theatrical events throughout the east coast of the United States.
Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers, IATSE Local 18032
Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (ATPAM) is a local union of IATSE and represents press agents, publicity and marketing specialists, company managers and theater and facilities managers who are devoted to the health, vitality and success of staged entertainment of all types.
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE
United Scenic Artists (Local USA 829) is a local union of IATSE and professional association of designers, artists, craftspeople, and department coordinators, organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries. The current active membership totals over 5,000.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)
Founded in 1959, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States. SDC’s membership includes more than 3,400 professional directors and choreographers, including specialty choreographers and fight choreographers, and Broadway associate/resident directors and choreographers. On average, our members file 2500 contracts with 850 individual employers across the country each year.
What We Do
Throughout each year 1,500+ creative professionals bring to life productions and performances that reflect and resonate with all Americans. They make possible the Kennedy Center’s over 2,200 live theatrical, music, opera, dance, and other arts performances each year. The Kennedy Center’s artists and arts workers depend on a full schedule of programming and packed houses to earn a living.
A make-up artist and hair stylist at the Kennedy Center. Photo courtesy of Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists Local 798.
Why Audiences Matter
Kennedy Center audiences support the arts and arts workers every time they attend a performance. Ticket sales help ensure that union artists and arts workers can sustain their careers and support their families.
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The Kennedy Center is a place where all Americans can come together in support of the arts and arts workers.
The Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. Photo by Elman Studios.