NOC 53123: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items such as jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers are employed by performing arts and broadcasting companies and by festivals; fashion designers are employed by clothing and textile companies or may be self-employed; and exhibit designers are employed by museums. Other creative designers in this unit group are employed by manufacturing establishments or may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 53123
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 53123
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers is categorized under TEER 3. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 53123.
5243 continues as 53123 and part transferred to 62010 and 64100
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $17.85 | $31.25/hr | $47.96 |
| Quebec → | $17/hr | $26.35/hr | $43.75/hr |
| Ontario → | $18.41/hr | $32.59/hr | $52.7/hr |
| Alberta → | $16.5/hr | $26.73/hr | $41.42/hr |
| British Columbia → | $23.75/hr | $37.37/hr | $50/hr |
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- A university degree in fine arts or visual arts with specialization in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design or completion of a college or art school program in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design is required.
- Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
- Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 53123
52 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Diorama maker - museums and art galleries (See 53100 Registrars, restorers, interpreters and other occupations related to museum and art galleries)View NOC 53100→
- Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)View NOC 52120→
- Industrial designers (See 22211 Industrial designers)View NOC 22211→
- Interior designers and interior decorators (See 52121 Interior designers and interior decorators)View NOC 52121→
- Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products (See 53125 Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products)View NOC 53125→
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners (See 64200 Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners)View NOC 64200→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 53123 (Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 53123, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.