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Open Call: Creative Mission São Paulo 2026

  • 4 hours ago
  • 5 min read
Dutch Music Export is preparing a Creative Mission to São Paulo, Brazil, in collaboration with Amsterdam Dance Event. The mission will take place in late November 2026.

The aim of the mission is to strengthen creative and professional collaboration between the Dutch and Brazilian music sectors. Brazil is one of the fastest-growing music markets in the world and plays an increasingly important international role across electronic music, pop, club culture, funk, baile funk and other contemporary genres.

The mission connects to the Brazil focus within Amsterdam Dance Event 2026. In the lead-up to São Paulo, Dutch Music Export will therefore also connect the mission to relevant Brazil-focused programme elements during ADE in October. This creates a trajectory in which Dutch creatives and professionals can first engage with the Brazilian market in Amsterdam and then deepen these contacts in São Paulo.

For this mission, Dutch Music Export will select two participant groups:

  1. Creatives


    Approximately 5 to 6 Dutch producers, songwriters, DJ/producers and/or artist-producers who will take part in the creative writing and studio programme in São Paulo.


  2. Music Professionals


    Approximately 4 Dutch music professionals who will take part in a parallel programme with company visits, B2B meetings, market introductions and networking moments.


Who can apply?

This open call consists of two routes.

Route 1: Creatives

This route is intended for Dutch producers, songwriters, DJ/producers and artist-producers who want to collaborate internationally with Brazilian creatives and music professionals.

We are looking for participants who:

  • have proven experience as a producer, songwriter, DJ/producer or artist-producer;

  • are professionally active within electronic music, pop, club sounds, funk, baile funk, urban-adjacent genres or other contemporary genres with a relevant connection to Brazil;

  • are open to co-creation and collaboration with Brazilian artists, producers and songwriters;

  • have an international outlook and are able to follow up on new collaborations;

  • have a professional network, team or release structure that allows new tracks or collaborations to be developed further after the mission;

  • are available for the full mission period in late November 2026;

  • are willing to actively take part in preparation, evaluation and follow-up before and after the mission.

During the mission, selected creatives will take part in writing sessions, studio work, listening moments and joint networking activities with Brazilian creatives and professionals.

Route 2: Music Professionals

This route is intended for Dutch music professionals who want to explore the Brazilian music market and contribute to sustainable collaboration between the Netherlands and Brazil.

This may include:

  • managers;

  • publishers;

  • label or distribution professionals;

  • bookers or promoters;

  • export and marketing professionals;

  • professionals with a clear creative or business link to Brazil, Latin America, electronic music, pop, club culture or songwriting.

We are looking for professionals who:

  • have a clear motivation to explore the Brazilian market;

  • have a relevant professional network in the Netherlands and/or internationally;

  • can make a concrete contribution to the development of Dutch creatives in Brazil;

  • are interested in long-term collaboration with Brazilian partners;

  • are willing to share knowledge and insights with the Dutch sector after the mission;

  • are available for the full mission period in late November 2026.

A dedicated programme will be developed for the music professionals, connected to the creative programme. This may include company visits, market introductions, B2B matchmaking, participation in relevant conference elements, meetings with Brazilian music companies and joint moments with the creatives.

Indicative programme

The final programme will be developed in the coming period in collaboration with local parties, Amsterdam Dance Event and potential Brazilian organisations.

The programme is expected to include:

  • writing sessions and studio work with Brazilian creatives;

  • company visits to relevant Brazilian music companies, labels, publishers, collectives and/or studios;

  • B2B matchmaking with local professionals;

  • listening sessions and feedback moments with A&Rs, publishers, labels and potential release partners;

  • market introductions on the Brazilian music industry, rights, publishing, distribution and live infrastructure;

  • joint networking moments with Dutch and Brazilian professionals;

  • possible connection to relevant music industry activities in São Paulo;

  • a closing session to define concrete next steps, collaborations and follow-up.

Connection with ADE

As Brazil is a focus market within Amsterdam Dance Event this year, the mission will also be connected to relevant Brazil-focused programming during ADE in October.

Candidates and selected participants may be invited to take part in relevant Brazil-focused programme elements, matchmaking moments or a closed networking event with Brazilian professionals attending ADE.

The final selection for São Paulo will take place before ADE. ADE will then serve as a preparatory phase: to gain a better understanding of the Brazilian market, establish first contacts and strengthen the matchmaking for São Paulo.

What support is available?

For selected participants, hotel costs during the mission period in São Paulo will be covered. Participation in the mission programme and related programme elements will also be supported.

Flight costs are at the participant’s own expense.

After selection, participants will receive further practical information about the exact mission period, programme, accommodation, preparation and any additional conditions.

Selection criteria

The selection will be based on, among other things:

  • artistic and/or professional quality;

  • international experience or export potential;

  • relevance to Brazil as a market and creative scene;

  • motivation for participation;

  • relevance of the mission for the applicant’s further development;

  • willingness and ability to follow up on collaborations after the mission;

  • diversity within the delegation in terms of genre, expertise, background and position in the sector;

  • the extent to which participation can contribute to sustainable collaboration between the Netherlands and Brazil.

For creatives, the selection may also take into account existing signals such as international releases, credits, streams, collaborations, publishing position, live or club profile and any existing traction in Brazil or Latin America.

For professionals, the selection will consider the relevance of their network, their role within the Dutch music sector and their ability to translate new knowledge and contacts into concrete opportunities for Dutch creatives.

Timeline

  • Application deadline: 13 September 2026

  • Selection announcement: 10 October 2026

  • Preparatory connection with ADE: October 2026

  • Creative Mission São Paulo: late November 2026

  • Evaluation and follow-up: December 2026 / early 2027

How to apply

Interested applicants can apply through the application form on this page.

The application form will ask for:

  • a short motivation;

  • biography / professional profile;

  • relevant links to music, releases, credits, projects or professional work;

  • explanation of the applicant’s connection to Brazil;

  • description of the desired outcome of participation;

  • availability for the mission period;

  • explanation of how potential collaborations or contacts can be followed up after the mission.



About Dutch Music Export

Dutch Music Export supports the international position of Dutch pop music through funding schemes, showcases, trade missions, creative missions and international network development.

With the Creative Mission São Paulo, Dutch Music Export aims to contribute to sustainable collaboration between Dutch and Brazilian creatives and music professionals, with a focus on co-creation, market access, knowledge exchange and long-term impact.

 
 
 

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