Open Call

FASHIONCLASH Festival 2026

x AMARTE

FASHIONCLASH and Amarte Fonds are once again collaborating to offer artists from different disciplines the opportunity to experiment with fashion and present new work during FASHIONCLASH Festival (13–15 November 2026) in Maastricht.

Are you an artist based in the Netherlands with a curiosity for fashion as a discipline? Have you always wanted to collaborate with a fashion maker? Then this opportunity could be for you! Through this Open Call, three artists will be selected to collaborate with a fashion maker and develop a new interdisciplinary work that will be presented during the festival.

more about amarte fonds

Photography: Mitch van Schijndel, FASHIONCLASH Festival 2025 x Amarte

FASHIONCLASH has already realized many crossovers, mainly focused on collaboration between fashion, theater, dance, and film. This time, we are particularly interested in disciplines with which FASHIONCLASH has had fewer crossovers, such as music & sound, literature, VR & immersive art, or art in public space.

Possible outcomes of the collaboration could include:

  • A music performance where costume is an integral part of the narrative;

  • A site-specific multimedia experience;

  • An installation or exhibition in (public) space;

  • A spoken word performance;

  • An interactive work that engages the audience.

Coaching trajectory

FASHIONCLASH provides each duo (artist & fashion maker) for x Amarte with a coaching trajectory leading up to their presentation at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2026. You will be assigned an experienced interdisciplinary maker who matches your practice.

 The coaching trajectory includes:

  • An online kick-off meeting with all participants;

  • Up to six coaching sessions (30 minutes per session);

  • An online one-on-one technical production meeting.

Participation in all events within the coaching trajectory is required. The coaching sessions will be scheduled in consultation with the assigned coach.

Who can apply

This Open Call is intended for a new generation of artists. Anyone who identifies as an artist — regardless of education, discipline or background — and is based in the Netherlands is welcome to apply. You do not need previous experience with fashion, but you should have a clear motivation and curiosity to collaborate with a fashion maker and explore the relationship between your discipline and fashion.

Phases throughout the trajectory

Phase 1: Matchmaking & Kick-off (May-June 2026)
If you are selected, you will first be connected to a fashion maker that matches your profile, fascination and motivation. FASHIONCLASH will facilitate this connection through its network of makers. After an informal meeting and a mutual agreement, you will join an (online) kick-off meeting with the other selected participants. For further meetings, you will create your own schedule.

Phase 2: Coaching & Development (June- September 2026)
This phase begins with coaching sessions and concept development for your joint project. By the end of this phase, you will submit PR materials (images and texts). We encourage you to develop work that can also be presented at other festivals and events beyond FASHIONCLASH Festival 2026.

Phase 3: Coaching & Production Preparation (September-November 2026)
Coaching sessions continue during this phase. An online one-on-one (technical) production meeting will address all practical details of your presentation. FASHIONCLASH will provide basic technical support if applicable.

Phase 4: Presentation at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2026
The outcome of the collaboration will be presented at FASHIONCLASH Festival, from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026, in Maastricht. The work can be presented ongoing throughout the festival weekend and/or at specific moments. Each duo will determine a suitable presentation format, including location and context within the festival program, in consultation with FASHIONCLASH. An online evaluation will follow after the festival.

Important details

  • Please read the Terms & Conditions and the Privacy Policy carefully before you apply!

  • Participation in x Amarte is free of charge;

  • The work developed is a shared artistic property of both the artist and the fashion maker, created from an equal position.

  • All individual participants receive a participation fee of €2500. Each duo receives €1,000 for material costs.

  • Each duo receives five coaching sessions (30 minutes per session) from an experienced interdisciplinary maker;

  • Additional budget is available for travel and accommodation costs, including collaboration meetings and three overnight stays in Maastricht during FASHIONCLASH Festival 2026.

Important dates

  • Deadline for applications: Wednesday 1 May 2026, 23:59 (CET);

  • Kick-off meeting (online): Wednesday 3 June 2026, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET);

  • Deadline for PR materials: Tuesday 1 September 2026, 23:59 (CET);

  • Online one-on-one (technical) production meeting: Week 41 (5-9 October 2026, exact date

    & time to be confirmed);

  • FASHIONCLASH Festival: Friday 13 November - Sunday 15 November 2026.

Checklist

submit your application

Het aanmeldformulier is in het Engels. Als je het lastig vindt om het formulier in het Engels in te vullen, mag je dit ook in het Nederlands doen.

What is Amarte Fonds?

Amarte Fonds was founded in 2019 by a group of families who share a deep love for the arts. They decided to provide financial support to innovative artists and projects in music, theatre, film, visual arts, and literature. Amarte aims to serve as a springboard for artists by offering both development grants and project grants to realize relatively small-scale projects.

Questions?

Please get in touch via festival@fashionclash.nl if you have any specific questions about FASHIONCLASH x Amarte.