Costume Designer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Costume designer visa sponsorship requires demonstrating specialized artistic skills and relevant education. H-1B visa petitions succeed when showing the role requires specific fashion, theater, or fine arts training. Many positions qualify as specialty occupations, though approval depends on job duties emphasizing design complexity over basic wardrobe coordination. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title Costume Studio Manager & Draper
Department Performing & Fine Arts
Job Code A51458
Job category Full Time Staff
Terms and Hours Full Time Exempt with 9-month assignment period (mid-August through mid-May)
Salary Range Starting salary at $42,000 for 9-month assignment period; commensurate with experience
Job Summary
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Performing & Fine Arts costume studio at University of Portland. This position will oversee the costume studio shop, supervise student employees working in the shop, coordinate timelines to meet performance deadlines, oversee the Property Supervisor, and mentor and instruct students in a learning environment to support engagement in costume production.
This position will work during the academic year for a 39 week period, starting around mid-August and ending in May, with a 9 month (.75 FTE) assignment period. This position is fully benefited for all 12 months.
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper has the opportunity for teaching assignments outside of the staff role as an adjunct faculty for additional compensation, inclusive of a Theater Crafts and Safety introductory course for theater majors and Theater Experience level courses to train and integrate students in components of theater production.
Core Duties
- Contribute to a comprehensive learning experience for students learning or working in costume studio; instruct students in the technical aspects of costume construction and the proper and safe use of associated machinery; supervise students in costume construction.
- Manage student laboratory hours, including administrative processes such as reporting of students’ hours.
- Supervise and mentor Costume Shop student employees. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and professional development, performance management and evaluations, and disciplinary processes including termination of employment.
- Run and maintain costume studio hours weekdays (hours to be determined) during semester sessions.
- Ensure sufficient quantities and types of materials are on hand for use in the costume studio by maintaining an inventory of supplies and materials required for daily operations and ordering/purchasing replacement items as necessary.
- Maintain and manage the costume studio budget.
- Facilitate the production of costumes for theater program by producing patterns from costume renderings, sketches, and verbal instructions; supervise students and/or perform patterning, construction, assembling, and fitting of costumes for departmental productions; make alterations generated from fittings and dress rehearsals; assist in necessary costume painting, dying, and distressing.
- Attend a minimum of first dress rehearsal and strike as requested for all productions; may be required to attend all dress rehearsals as needed.
- Ensure that costumes maintain their appearance and are appropriately cleaned by supervising costume maintenance during and after productions on and off campus; train student production costume lead and student dressers to do the laundry and maintenance during the run of a show.
- Maintain costume studio tools and machinery by performing and/or directing others to perform the routine maintenance and cleaning of all tools and equipment in the costume studio; alert costume design faculty if maintenance is needed on equipment; drop off and pick up machines for maintenance.
- Collect, drop off, and pick up dry cleaning.
- Assist in the maintenance of the costume stock by organizing and restocking costumes, measuring costumes, removing unusable costumes from the collection, and cleaning costumes; supervises student with the rental/borrow program for costume stock.
- Property Supervisor responsibilities include but not limited to purchasing, acquiring, manufacturing, storing and oversight of props needed for all productions.
- Recruit and Supervise Property Manager student employees.
- Assist students in procurement of props needed for each production while maintaining production budget.
- Assist and advise with design selection and management of prop retrieval for each production.
- Attend and oversee all production meetings with students.
- Oversee the process and programs for maintaining property storage.
- Supervise any additional property crews needed for productions.
Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.
Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.
Education & Experience
- Required: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field of study.
- Required: Two to three years of shop supervision or graduate assistantship.
- Preferred: Master’s degree or Master’s of Fine Arts in costume design or costume technology or equivalent education and/or experience.
Certifications & Licenses
- None
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to learn, respect, and contribute to the University’s mission and values and the history and traditions of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
- Knowledge of design, construction and fitting of costumes, including adaptation of costumes for stage needs.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment utilized in costume design and construction.
- Strong organizational, planning, analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively manage projects and balance multiple priorities while maintaining a positive outlook and working effectively in a collaborative environment.
- Ability to mentor and teach effectively with strong collaboration skills.
- Strong supervisory skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to use initiative to organize and follow through with complex tasks to meet deadlines.
- Ability to estimate material costs, maintain project records, and establish/follow production budgets.
- Strong orientation towards taking initiative and ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, policy, and process improvements.
- Ability to anticipate problems and take necessary action to eliminate or mitigate them.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of stakeholder groups, policies, and processes.
- Effective ability to use technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and data management systems.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently: sit for long periods of time; use hands to perform repetitive tasks; handle, control, or grasp objects and tools; make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
- As necessary (occasionally to frequently): stand and walk; read; write by hand; twist; use a telephone; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 30 pounds.
- Frequently: interact and communicate with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends of the University.
- As necessary: attend events on or off campus.
- As necessary: ability to drive a vehicle.
Working Conditions
- Hours of employment: will require working flexible and/or longer hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends, when necessitated by projects.
- Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.
Work Standards
- Respect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.” The University’s Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: “Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.”
The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.
- Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
- Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
- Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.
Benefits
Fully benefited for 12 months. Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University’s home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number S391-2023
Open Date 08/26/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions Summary
This position will work during the academic year for a 39 week period, starting around mid-August and ending in mid-May, with a 9 month (.75 FTE) assignment period. This position is fully benefited for all 12 months of the year.
As this position works a part year assignment, the starting salary is based off a .75 FTE at $42,000 annual salary, which would be annualized at $56,000.
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper has the opportunity for teaching assignments outside of the staff role as an adjunct faculty for additional compensation, inclusive of a Theater Crafts and Safety introductory course for theater majors and Theater Experience level courses to train and integrate students in components of theater production.
Job Title Costume Studio Manager & Draper
Department Performing & Fine Arts
Job Code A51458
Job category Full Time Staff
Terms and Hours Full Time Exempt with 9-month assignment period (mid-August through mid-May)
Salary Range Starting salary at $42,000 for 9-month assignment period; commensurate with experience
Job Summary
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Performing & Fine Arts costume studio at University of Portland. This position will oversee the costume studio shop, supervise student employees working in the shop, coordinate timelines to meet performance deadlines, oversee the Property Supervisor, and mentor and instruct students in a learning environment to support engagement in costume production.
This position will work during the academic year for a 39 week period, starting around mid-August and ending in May, with a 9 month (.75 FTE) assignment period. This position is fully benefited for all 12 months.
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper has the opportunity for teaching assignments outside of the staff role as an adjunct faculty for additional compensation, inclusive of a Theater Crafts and Safety introductory course for theater majors and Theater Experience level courses to train and integrate students in components of theater production.
Core Duties
- Contribute to a comprehensive learning experience for students learning or working in costume studio; instruct students in the technical aspects of costume construction and the proper and safe use of associated machinery; supervise students in costume construction.
- Manage student laboratory hours, including administrative processes such as reporting of students’ hours.
- Supervise and mentor Costume Shop student employees. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and professional development, performance management and evaluations, and disciplinary processes including termination of employment.
- Run and maintain costume studio hours weekdays (hours to be determined) during semester sessions.
- Ensure sufficient quantities and types of materials are on hand for use in the costume studio by maintaining an inventory of supplies and materials required for daily operations and ordering/purchasing replacement items as necessary.
- Maintain and manage the costume studio budget.
- Facilitate the production of costumes for theater program by producing patterns from costume renderings, sketches, and verbal instructions; supervise students and/or perform patterning, construction, assembling, and fitting of costumes for departmental productions; make alterations generated from fittings and dress rehearsals; assist in necessary costume painting, dying, and distressing.
- Attend a minimum of first dress rehearsal and strike as requested for all productions; may be required to attend all dress rehearsals as needed.
- Ensure that costumes maintain their appearance and are appropriately cleaned by supervising costume maintenance during and after productions on and off campus; train student production costume lead and student dressers to do the laundry and maintenance during the run of a show.
- Maintain costume studio tools and machinery by performing and/or directing others to perform the routine maintenance and cleaning of all tools and equipment in the costume studio; alert costume design faculty if maintenance is needed on equipment; drop off and pick up machines for maintenance.
- Collect, drop off, and pick up dry cleaning.
- Assist in the maintenance of the costume stock by organizing and restocking costumes, measuring costumes, removing unusable costumes from the collection, and cleaning costumes; supervises student with the rental/borrow program for costume stock.
- Property Supervisor responsibilities include but not limited to purchasing, acquiring, manufacturing, storing and oversight of props needed for all productions.
- Recruit and Supervise Property Manager student employees.
- Assist students in procurement of props needed for each production while maintaining production budget.
- Assist and advise with design selection and management of prop retrieval for each production.
- Attend and oversee all production meetings with students.
- Oversee the process and programs for maintaining property storage.
- Supervise any additional property crews needed for productions.
Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.
Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.
Education & Experience
- Required: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field of study.
- Required: Two to three years of shop supervision or graduate assistantship.
- Preferred: Master’s degree or Master’s of Fine Arts in costume design or costume technology or equivalent education and/or experience.
Certifications & Licenses
- None
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to learn, respect, and contribute to the University’s mission and values and the history and traditions of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
- Knowledge of design, construction and fitting of costumes, including adaptation of costumes for stage needs.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment utilized in costume design and construction.
- Strong organizational, planning, analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively manage projects and balance multiple priorities while maintaining a positive outlook and working effectively in a collaborative environment.
- Ability to mentor and teach effectively with strong collaboration skills.
- Strong supervisory skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to use initiative to organize and follow through with complex tasks to meet deadlines.
- Ability to estimate material costs, maintain project records, and establish/follow production budgets.
- Strong orientation towards taking initiative and ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, policy, and process improvements.
- Ability to anticipate problems and take necessary action to eliminate or mitigate them.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of stakeholder groups, policies, and processes.
- Effective ability to use technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and data management systems.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently: sit for long periods of time; use hands to perform repetitive tasks; handle, control, or grasp objects and tools; make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
- As necessary (occasionally to frequently): stand and walk; read; write by hand; twist; use a telephone; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 30 pounds.
- Frequently: interact and communicate with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends of the University.
- As necessary: attend events on or off campus.
- As necessary: ability to drive a vehicle.
Working Conditions
- Hours of employment: will require working flexible and/or longer hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends, when necessitated by projects.
- Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.
Work Standards
- Respect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.” The University’s Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: “Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.”
The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.
- Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
- Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
- Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.
Benefits
Fully benefited for 12 months. Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University’s home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number S391-2023
Open Date 08/26/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions Summary
This position will work during the academic year for a 39 week period, starting around mid-August and ending in mid-May, with a 9 month (.75 FTE) assignment period. This position is fully benefited for all 12 months of the year.
As this position works a part year assignment, the starting salary is based off a .75 FTE at $42,000 annual salary, which would be annualized at $56,000.
The Costume Studio Manager & Draper has the opportunity for teaching assignments outside of the staff role as an adjunct faculty for additional compensation, inclusive of a Theater Crafts and Safety introductory course for theater majors and Theater Experience level courses to train and integrate students in components of theater production.
See all 35+ Costume Designer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Costume Designer
Emphasize design complexity in job descriptions
Document technical requirements like period research, fabric selection expertise, and collaboration with directors. USCIS approves roles requiring specialized artistic knowledge over basic costume coordination tasks.
Target theater, film, and entertainment companies
Production companies, theaters, and streaming services regularly sponsor costume designers. These employers understand the specialty occupation requirements and have established sponsorship processes.
Highlight your formal arts education
Fashion design, theater arts, or fine arts degrees strengthen H-1B petitions. If lacking formal education, emphasize specialized training and portfolio work demonstrating professional-level expertise.
Build a comprehensive design portfolio
Document previous productions, design concepts, and technical skills. Strong portfolios help employers justify the specialty occupation requirement and demonstrate your unique artistic capabilities to USCIS.
Consider O-1 for established designers
Costume designers with awards, critical acclaim, or major production credits may qualify for O-1 extraordinary ability visas, which offer more flexibility than H-1B.
Network through industry associations
Join organizations like the Costume Designers Guild or attend film festivals. Many sponsorship opportunities come through professional connections rather than traditional job postings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for costume designer visa sponsorship?
Fashion design, theater arts, fine arts, or related fields typically qualify. USCIS accepts degrees where coursework covers design principles, textile knowledge, and artistic concepts. Some positions may accept equivalent experience through the three-for-one rule, but formal education strengthens H-1B petitions significantly.
How to find Costume Designer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Costume Designer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international talent with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on film studios, television production companies, theater groups, and entertainment corporations that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1 visa, or EB-3 visas for creative professionals. These employers often need specialized costume design expertise and are willing to sponsor qualified international candidates.
Do costume designer roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes, when job duties emphasize specialized design skills, historical research, and technical expertise. USCIS approves petitions showing the role requires specific artistic training beyond basic wardrobe assistance. The key is demonstrating complexity in design responsibilities and creative decision-making authority.
Which industries sponsor costume designers most frequently?
Film studios, television production companies, theater organizations, and streaming services lead in sponsorship. Theme parks, opera companies, and advertising agencies also sponsor designers. Entertainment industry employers generally understand visa requirements and have established processes for creative professionals.
Can freelance costume designers get visa sponsorship?
Direct sponsorship for freelance work is complex since H-1B requires employer-employee relationships. However, production companies often hire designers as temporary employees for specific projects. Some designers work through staffing agencies that handle visa sponsorship for multiple productions.
What are approval rates for costume designer H-1B petitions?
USCIS doesn't publish occupation-specific approval rates, but creative roles with clear specialty occupation requirements generally perform well. Success depends on demonstrating the position requires specialized artistic education and showing the employer's legitimate need for those specific skills.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Costume Designer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.