Become a Member
Benefits of membership
Being an APCEN associate means being part of a living organism that actively works to consolidate and recognize the visual realization of performance in Portugal.
Networking & Sharing
Integration into an interdisciplinary network of performing arts professionals — scenographers, costume designers, lighting designers, architects, technicians, teachers, researchers — facilitating collaborations and knowledge exchange.
- National meetings XV national meetings across Porto, Coimbra, Baião, Montemor-o-Novo, Cascais, Évora, Lisboa, Aveiro and Palmela.
- Active dialogue Shared spaces that promote discussion between professionals and students throughout the country.
International Presence
APCEN is the Portuguese National Centre of OISTAT and a member of ARTSCENICO (European Federation for Costume and Production Design). Members benefit from direct connection to global theatre and audiovisual networks.
- OISTAT Organisation Internationale des Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes de Théâtre — member since 2017.
- Prague Quadrennial Active participation since 2015: ID(Entity) BOX (2015), PQ Fragments (2019), HODO: Unique Journeys — PQ Students (2023).
Career Development
Professional visibility through exhibitions, masterclasses, showcases and events that document and promote the work of visual performance realization in Portugal.
- Exhibitions & showcases Participation in initiatives that document and promote scenographic work across Portugal.
- Training access Masterclasses, debates and conversations on scene writing and cultural policies.
Shaping the Future
For students, APCEN bridges academia and the professional world. For everyone, it acts as collective representation alongside political and cultural institutions.
- Academic-professional bridge Involvement in curatorial and creative processes from student years onwards.
- Political representation Collective action for progressive recognition of the scenographic field in Portugal.
Annual membership fees apply for individual members. Contact us for current values.
Collective membership is open to companies, schools, cooperatives, associations, collectives and institutions linked to the performing arts. It works as a mutual collaboration protocol — no membership fees apply.
Networking & Sharing
A network that brings together professionals, teachers, students, researchers, creative structures, collectives, cooperatives, associations, institutions and schools.
International Representation
Direct OISTAT link and opportunity to participate in international initiatives, including student representation at the Prague Quadrennial (PQ Students).
Collaboration & Projects
Ability to co-organize events, talks or debates. Host joint initiatives proposed by APCEN.
Collective Voice
Active voice in the sector. Bridge between companies, collectives and educational institutions for future internship and collaboration opportunities.
Collective membership operates as a mutual cooperation protocol — no fees required.
Membership Conditions
Individual Members
- Professionals working in scenography and related technical areas
- Students of scenography, costume design, lighting, architecture and technical theatre
- Researchers, teachers and other practitioners linked to the expanded field of visual performance realization
- Annual fee applies — contact us for current values
Collective Members
- Companies, collectives and creative structures in the performing arts
- Schools and higher education institutions with programmes in theatre, design or related fields
- Cooperatives, associations and cultural institutions
- No membership fees — mutual collaboration protocol
Become a Member
Send your expression of interest to: