ANYTHING GOES: HOLLYWOOD BEFORE THE CODE

CALL FOR ARTISTS & DESIGNERS
2027 Salina Art Center Gala Fashion Show
January 30, 2027 | Hilton Garden Inn, Salina

NEW RULES AND PRIZES FOR 2027!

THE SALINA ART CENTER INVITES YOU TO CREATE A WORK OF ART IN MOTION

For one extraordinary evening, we invite you to step into Hollywood before the censors arrived.

Inspired by the glamorous, provocative, and wildly creative years before the Motion Picture Production Code was strictly enforced in 1934, this year's Fashion Show Gala celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Art Center Cinema with a tribute to the bold spirit of Pre-Code Hollywood.

Designers are encouraged to interpret the era—not by recreating costumes, but by exploring the themes that defined it: confidence, wit, moral ambiguity, luxury, rebellion, noir glamour, forbidden romance, powerful women, dazzling nightlife, and cinematic storytelling.

The elegance of old Hollywood with the freedom to imagine what might have been before the rules.

This is not a period costume show.

It is a celebration of fearless creativity.

This is a fashion show-only event with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (no seated dinner), and a festive party with DJ Carbon to follow. Guests will mix, mingle, and marvel as your designs grace the runway in an unforgettable night of wearable art.

SELECTED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:

  • A $300 stipend to support material costs

  • One-night hotel stay in Salina on January 30, 2026

  • Pre-show boxed dinner for designers and models

  • Admission to the Gala Party for the designer and model

AWARDS + EXHIBITION

  • THE UNCENSORED AWARD

    • $1,000 People’s Choice Award — Design
      The public gets the vote! Online voting opens before the Gala and continues through the event, giving the community and Gala guests the opportunity to choose their favorite original design. The designer receiving the most votes takes home the night’s $1,000 People’s Choice prize.

  • THE CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD

    • $500 Merit Award for Design
      Selected by a three-member jury of art and design professionals, this award recognizes exceptional artistic vision, originality, craftsmanship, and interpretation of the Before the Code theme.

  • THE SCENE STEALER

    • $300 Top Model Award
      This one belongs to the room. Gala guests vote live for the model whose presence, presentation, and personality command the runway and bring the designer’s vision to life.

  • The top 3 vote-getting designs will be displayed at Salina Art Center from February 5 – February 21, 2027.

KEY DEADLINES

We want you to enjoy the holidays, so we are moving everything up this year. 

September 1 – Call for Artists goes live. Artists may email their intent to participate and ask questions.

October 1 – Application deadline. Submit:

  • Initial sketches (PNG or JPEG)

  • List of proposed materials

  • Short artist bio

October 15 – Artists selected + virtual Artist Draft with sponsors.
October 22 – Signed contracts due. Stipends distributed. Artists begin fabrication.
December 13 – Completed garment photos + materials list updates due.
January 10 – Voting links go live. Artists begin sharing.
January 20 – Submit final artist bio + runway description for emcee. SAC provides final logistics.
January 30 – Gala Fashion Show + Party

DESIGN GUIDELINES

  • Fashion must align with the Gala theme. Designers are encouraged to interpret the era—not by recreating costumes, but by exploring the themes that defined it: confidence, wit, moral ambiguity, luxury, rebellion, noir glamour, forbidden romance, powerful women, dazzling nightlife, and cinematic storytelling

  • Designs must be able to fit through standard doorways and allow models to ascend/descend three steps.

  • Artists are responsible for recruiting their own models (or may model their own design).

  • This is a charitable event. Photos, videos, and artist information will be used in event marketing and promotions.

  • We encourage the use of unexpected or non-conventional materials! Historically, the most eye-catching and memorable designs (and vote-getters!) have incorporated inventive, surprising elements.

QUESTIONS? READY TO APPLY?

Email mserene@salinaartcenter.org with subject line: GALA FASHION 2027

Let us know you're interested, and we’ll keep you in the loop!

Celebrate fearless creativity!




TICKETS GO ON  SALE DECEMBER 1, 2026!