Par.x/ Design

Base 36: Par.x Innovation Grant

Our Story and Commitment

Base 36 began as a grassroots, artist-driven initiative with a mission to foster innovation, experimentation, and boundary-pushing creativity in the arts. Over time, we have evolved into a decentralized collective, comprising a small but dedicated group of artists & researchers who balance their commitment to the arts with other significant obligations. The Par.x Innovation Grant Program is a natural extension of our ethos—rooted in the belief that the arts must be preserved, supported, and advanced through genuine passion and dedication.

What truly sets the Par.x Innovation Grant apart is that its funding comes directly from the senior and founding artists within our program. This is an initiative of artists funding artists, not backed by major philanthropic entities or corporate sponsors. Our resources come from within, driven by our deep appreciation for the arts in their most authentic forms. We approach each application with care and sensitivity, understanding the unique challenges that artists face.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that we are not a large organization with vast financial resources or a grander political agenda. We are a small, decentralized collective doing this out of love for the arts and a desire to inspire, innovate, and encourage future creativity. We ask that applicants approach this opportunity with humility and understanding, recognizing that this is a rare and personal investment in the future of the arts.

Mission Statement

At Base 36, our mission is to empower artists, creators, and thinkers across all disciplines through the Par.x Innovation Grant Program. We are dedicated to fostering innovation, encouraging experimentation, and promoting excellence in the creative disciplines of Fashion & Design by providing financial support and resources without imposing limitations or restrictions on the creative process.

As an artist-founded organization, we understand the challenges artists face, particularly the financial constraints that can hinder the full realization of a project. Par.x exists to alleviate these burdens, allowing artists to pursue their visions with complete creative freedom. We believe that by supporting art without strings attached, we enable the true potential of artistic expression to flourish.

Program Overview and Goals

The Par.x Innovation Grant Program is open to artists from all backgrounds and disciplines, regardless of medium or career stage. We welcome submissions from emerging and established artists alike.

We are particularly interested in work that is innovative, boundary-pushing, and challenges conventional norms. The Par.x Grant is designed to support projects that not only demonstrate technical skill and creative excellence but also provoke thought, inspire dialogue, and explore new frontiers in contemporary design. We seek to support artists who are unafraid to take risks, challenge the status quo, and engage deeply with the world around them.

Our program is offered without any conditions on rights, ownership, or future obligations. We believe in providing support that is truly artist-centered, allowing you to maintain full control over your work and creative output.

While the Par.x Grant is provided with no strings attached, Base 36 is committed to building lasting relationships with the artists we support. As part of our ongoing mission, we may explore additional opportunities for collaboration after the grant has been awarded. These opportunities could include exhibition and publishing, where we may offer rights of first refusal for acquisition or future monetization. Additionally, we may provide targeted support by funding further production or distribution of selected works, depending on the medium and project.

Application Process

All designers are welcome to apply, and applications will be reviewed based on innovation, creativity, and the potential impact of the proposed work. We encourage you to submit work that best represents your practice, along with a clear explanation of how it engages with contemporary discourse.

Please note that all applicants are restricted to applying in one particular category. If applying as a group or in a collaborative sense, one member must be selected as the liaison/representative and should submit a combined collection of references, CVs, and background information on behalf of the group. Additionally, some categories may require extensive project layouts and budget plans in order to be awarded. More information will be provided if your project falls under this criteria.

Program Timeline

Application Window: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026

• Judging Review: February 15, 2025 – May 31, 2026

• Finalist Announcement: July 9, 2026

Note: These dates may be project-dependent and are tentative. Final timelines will be confirmed on a case-by-case basis, with the aim to allocate funds outwardly through late-2025 and early-2026.

How To Apply

Our application for the 2025-2026 Open Call for the Par.x Innovation Grant Program will be available from November 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET to May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. The application can be accessed via Par.x Grant Application.

Disclaimer *

While we accept applications from all parts and regions of the world, please note that all applications must be completed in English. Due to the smaller nature of our organization and the large volume of inquiries we receive, it may take some time before responses are met and matched. Please do not follow up or inquire about the status of your application. We will process your application and reach out upon completion. Outside of this, our newsletter will keep you updated with any developments as they arise.

This is not an open call for representation or anything of the like. We welcome those interested in our project’s mission to attend future events and engage with our channels.