CALL for ARTISTS & DESIGNERS
2025 Salina Art Center Galaxy Gala & Fashion Show
The Salina Art Center seeks out-of-this-world fashion for a
Cosmic Celebration of intergalactic haute couture!
Ten artists will be selected to create gravity-defying, avant-garde designs for a runway show that takes us light-years into infinity! This event will raise funds for another stellar year of SAC arts programming.
Every artist selected will receive a stipend of $300 to help defray the cost of materials, a hotel night in Salina on February 1, 2025, dinner prior to the runway show, and admission to the After Party dance.
Votes for the favorite interplanetary design will be cast online from two weeks before the gala until the conclusion of the runway show, with each $1 donation equaling 1 vote. The artist/designer with the most votes will receive a $1,000 prize.
Runway designs created by the top five vote-getters will be displayed at the Salina Art Center from February 5 through March 30, 2025, providing access to those unable to attend the gala.
Every vote/dollar generated by the artists’ interstellar inventions will go toward funding SAC programs—year-round creative adventures for all ages, mind-bending movies, and cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions unlike any other in the universe!
Now is the time to become a new star in an unprecedented space dream. So fire your jets, shift into supersonic gear, and take us to the Milky Way and beyond with higher-than-ever-before fashion for interplanetary explorers!
And please, spread the word to friends who may not be on the Salina Art Center radar!
COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH
critical dates and deadlines
Direct all communication to mserene@salinaartcenter.org with subject line GALAXY GALA FASHION
September 25
The online Call for Artists goes live. Artists can email their intent to participate and ask questions to help clarify their planning.
Applicants prepare preliminary sketches, a list of proposed materials, and a brief bio.
by November 1
Applicants submit 3 items: initial working sketches in png or jpeg format, list of materials to be used, and a brief artist bio.
by November 15
SAC notifies selected artists and host the “Artist Draft” with sponsors.
SAC issues contracts to artists.
Artists now have 6 weeks to make their heavenly designs a reality.
by November 22
Artists return signed contracts to SAC.
Artists receive stipends.
Artists recruit models if they do not plan to model their own garments.
Artists begin work on their creations, purchasing supplies and updating sketches and materials lists as process demands.
by December 10
Artists submit final sketches in png or jpeg format and continue the fabrication of their garments.
SAC begins facilitating interaction between artists and sponsors.
SAC utilizes final sketches for early marketing of the event.
by January 3
Artists submit photos of the completed garments, along with any updates to materials list.
SAC marketing team checks in with artists to help them maximize their public presence during the lead-in to the gala.
January 17
Voting links go live and are shared with artists and sponsors.
SAC begins publicizing the voting process.
RSVP’s for Gala and After Party are due.
Artists and sponsors rally votes/dollars through campaigns on social media and other networking of their choice.
by January 20
Artists submit 2 items: final edit of artist bio and a runway description to be read in tandem by the gala emcee.
SAC provides all final scheduling and logistical details to artists.
February 1
LIFT-OFF! Galaxy Gala and Fashion Show, Hilton Garden Inn, Salina
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Because SAC is an art museum, designers are encouraged to push the limits of avant-garde fashion.
The completed garment must be shown on the runway and be appropriate for the Gala and the theme.
The garment must be designed to move through standard doors , and the model must be able to navigate 3 steps onto and off the runway stage.
This is a charity event; and artists’ images, photos, and personal artist statements will be shared through avariety of social media and marketing channels. All dollars raised will fund the SAC mission of creating exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life.
This was a marvelous creative opportunity—several weeks of intense work that somehow wound up feeling like a vacation!
— Connie Burket, Hammers & Heels 2024 runway design participant
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many sketches should I submit?
A: We suggest a minimum of 2 views—but we want you to submit as many sketches as you need to represent your design best. Including sketches that indicate “gravity-defying” or “futuristic” elements will be helpful to the jurors. Also remember, your final sketch will be used as a placeholder on our website until we have the final photos. In addition, we may also use them on the big screen the night of the event to show how you brought your design to life.
Q: How detailed do I need to be in the material planning stages?
A: We are looking for creativity with the materials being used. In your materials list, be sure to include as much detail as possible. Though unconventional materials are not required, please emphasize any unconventional materials you do use.
Q: Can I be my own model?
A: Yes. Last year many designers/artists were their own model.
Q: How do we handle the hair and makeup on the day of the event?
A: There will be a small staging area at the event with chairs and a long table. Hair and make-up are the artist’s responsibility and I suggest arriving at the venue as ready as possible. SAC will provide dinner to you and your model in the staging area at 6 p.m.
Q: Does my model get paid?
A: We are providing each artist with a $300 stipend and one overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Inn. You can choose to share your room or spend your stipend however you want to.
Q: Can I work collaboratively?
A: We will accept applications from single artists or teams. However, there is only one stipend and hotel room provided per design.
Q: Where is the event?
A: This year our Galaxy Gala is at the Hilton Garden Inn in Salina, KS. The rooms we have booked for artists are at the same hotel. This could make it easier to get ready in your room before moving to the staging area. This year we will host the artists & models for dinner at 6 p.m. in a separate area with the fashion show starting around 7:45.
Q: Should accessories be the designer’s own creation?
A: Shoes and jewelry can be purchased ready-made or created in collaboration with other artists. Remember, we are looking for over-the-top creativity and want our event guests to be wowed by something they have never seen before, presented in unimaginable ways. For reference, visit the Salina Art Center Facebook page and look up our photo album for Spirit of Nature or our Hammers and Heels Gala.
Q: Can I purchase ready-made pieces for my design?
A: Designs must be 100% original, with no pre-made scarfs or t-shirts, for example. The only non-original parts of your design that are permitted are shoes and accessories. Have fun with this, go over the top, and push creativity to the limit.
Q: Jan 3rd is the date for the final photos for marketing. Will this be the actual garment or teaser photos?
A: This is the real deal! We are putting each designer out ahead of the event so they can encourage friends and family to vote for their chance to win the $1,000 prize. This is a fundraiser for the Art Center, so every dollar given to a selected artist will be one vote for that artist.
We will do everything we can to make sure every design gets the recognition it deserves, but we can only do our best if artists adhere to the deadlines our marketing team needs.
We want high-quality photos. If you don’t have access to a photographer, we will gladly send someone out to you, but don’t wait until the last minute.
We don’t think the impact of seeing these pieces live will be diminished by seeing a version of them online first; plus, we still have lots of typical attendees who are not social media consumers.
Q: Can I submit more than one design?
A: Yes. The submission sketches will be evaluated by a blind panel. It is possible that more than one design could be selected from a single designer. In that case, we would assign them an additional stipend and hotel room.
Q: What if someone gives me money for voting directly?
A: It happens. We have live voting the night of the event, so you can bring anything you have been given and we will add it to your total. If someone writes a check, make it payable to Salina Art Center. Gifts given to the Art Center can be tax deductible.
Q: Will I know my sponsor?
A: Yes, and we will encourage them to be part of your process. We want studio visits or at least video calls with sponsors and artists this year. Our goal is for sponsors to be excited about your design so they will inspire their circle of influence to vote for you to win the night.
Q: What do we do after the runway?
A: Dance the night away! Designers and models are welcome to join us for the Gala Afterparty in the Ballroom beginning at 9 p.m. with DJ Carbon. A cash bar is available.
You can also purchase Gala tickets for any additional guests you might bring with you. If they join you for the entire Gala so they can see you walk the runway and enjoy dinner and cocktails, tickets are $150. If they join you at 9 p.m. for the afterparty only, tickets are $50.
