Apply Now: Circular Production Design-Build Workshop

Applications are open for CPD’s inaugural Circular Production Design-Build Workshop, a free four-weekend Toronto training program exploring sustainable set-building, material reuse and circular production design.

Applications are now open for CPD’s inaugural Circular Production Design-Build Workshop, a free, hands-on professional training program taking place in Toronto over four consecutive weekends from January 24 to February 15, 2026. Submissions will close on January 9, 2026.

Created for production designers and art department practitioners, the pilot workshop will explore circular design, material reuse, sustainable set-building, and production design methodology through practical, real-world application. Rather than learning about sustainable production only in theory, participants will work together to design, build, finish, decorate, and ultimately consider the future life of two working sets.

We are initially selecting 12 participants for this first cohort, with no cost to attend.

Learning Through the Full Design-Build Process

The workshop has been developed around a simple idea: if we want to change the way sets are built and discarded, sustainability needs to be considered from the beginning of the design process rather than only at strike.

Across four weekends, participants will move through the production design process while looking closely at the decisions that shape a set’s environmental impact — from design and drafting to sourcing, construction, scenic treatment, set decoration, reuse, and disassembly.

Working collaboratively, the cohort will help create two sets while gaining hands-on experience with reclaimed and reusable materials, modular construction, and practical circular workflows that can be carried into professional film and television production.

Designed for Emerging Art Department Professionals

We’re looking for applicants who are building careers in production design and the art department and who want to strengthen both their practical skills and their understanding of sustainable production.

Applicants may come from production design, art direction, set decoration, props, scenic, drafting, construction, interior design, theatre, visual arts, or other related creative and technical backgrounds.

You do not need to arrive as an expert in sustainable production. Curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine interest in learning how we can design and build differently are at the heart of the program.

Hands-On Training With Working Professionals

The workshop will be led by Production Designers Marian Wihak and Rose Lagacé, with experienced art department and construction professionals guiding participants through different stages of the design-build process.

The aim is to connect production design methodology with the physical realities of how sets are constructed, finished, dressed, dismantled, reused, and ultimately diverted from waste.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn by doing, ask questions, experiment with materials and techniques, and work alongside peers from across the art department.

Building More Circular Practices for Film and Television

The Circular Production Design-Build Workshop is part of CPD’s broader commitment to advancing sustainability within production design and the Canadian screen industry.

Film and television sets use enormous quantities of materials, often for very short periods of time. Many of the decisions that determine what can be rented, reused, repurposed, dismantled, or recycled are made during design and prep.

By giving emerging art department professionals an opportunity to think about those decisions while actually making something, we hope to help build practical knowledge that can continue into future productions.

Made Possible Through Industry Support

The Circular Production Design-Build Workshop is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, the City of Toronto Film Office/xoTO, DGC National, CBC, IATSE Local 873, IATSE Local 411, York University/YUMMS, Wiseacre Rentals, Viking Recycling, Think Lightweight, Krypton Vehicles, and Full Frame Signs.

Their support is helping us offer this pilot program free of charge while providing participants with the materials, space, expertise, and hands-on learning needed to explore more circular approaches to production design.

Applications are now open for the January–February 2026 pilot cohort.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED AS OF JANUARY 9th.