CANCELLED!

Calling all Norfolk artists

Be part of Norfolk Open Studios 2020

Applications are now open for artists from across Norfolk to take part in one of the most successful Open Studios schemes in the country.

The award-winning Norfolk Open Studios, now in its 26th year, will run from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 7 June.

Each year hundreds of artists take part in the scheme, inviting the public into their studios to reveal how and where they work.

The event annually attracts thousands of visitors and in 2019 more than 31,000 people flocked to studios across Norfolk.

Norfolk Open Studios enables artists to promote and sell their work directly to visitors who can see artwork as it happens in the studio.

During Norfolk Open Studios 2019, 430 artists participated across 250 venues along with 19 Norfolk schools. Throughout the county artists came together to create 16 Art Trails, allowing visitors to enjoy several studios in one day. Art demonstrations, private views, workshops and talks also make up this key event.

Ros Dixon, Norfolk Open Studios Administrator, said: “Norfolk Open Studios is very popular and well-loved by both artists and visitors. I think the scheme’s success is down to its format which offers artists a way to showcase their work and meet and talk with people about their art in an informal way.

“This has a real appeal and it gives visitors a relaxed opportunity to discover and see artists at work in unique spaces throughout the county. And, although the scheme is not just about selling and buying art, it does offer people the chance to buy art directly from the artist in their studio, which always adds a little bit of something special.”

Internationally renowned artists as well as artists new to the scheme take part each year and for many, it offers the opportunity to join a wider community of artists which helps to bring their work to new and diverse audiences, opening up discussions about their practice.

Artist Andy Jarrett said: “Norfolk Open Studio’s is one of my highlights of the year, it’s something very special and is really worth celebrating.

“For me it’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase my sculptural work to a vast and diverse audience, I have large numbers visitors from all over the county and further afield who come to see and buy my work, they often have commission ideas they want to explore as well, so it’s become an important part of my yearly income which is wonderful.

“This is only a small part of what Norfolk Open Studios offers, it’s also a nourishing chance to meet the wider artistic community, to make friends and share ideas, as artists we often work in isolation, so Open Studios is highly important.”

One visitor to this year’s event said: “I really enjoyed the opportunity to get out and about and the freedom to just explore the different types of studios and speak to the artists, understanding and appreciating their approaches.”

Norfolk Open Studios 2020 will take place between Saturday 23 May and Sunday 7 June 2020. Artists wanting to take part can apply online at www.norfolkstudios.org.uk

The cost for inclusion in the scheme is £110 for individual artists, £300 for groups of artists and £110 for schools. This includes a listing, profile and artwork image in the Norfolk Open Studios brochure with a print run of more than 30,000.

Artists will also receive an online profile on the Norfolk Open Studios website, showing a selection of their work, contact details and links to their website and social media channels – this profile remains published for up to one year.

Artists will also have access to marketing materials such as posters and postcards to publicise their involvement. They will have the opportunity to exhibit a piece of artwork at the Open Studios Central Taster Exhibition at The Forum in Norwich in the run up to the scheme.

Applications open on Friday 8 November and close on Friday 13 December 2019.

For more information please visit www.norfolkstudios.org.uk, or email [email protected] or call Ros Dixon on 01603 877762.

Notes:

Now in its 26th year Norfolk Open Studios has a new look and has returned to its previous name. As one of the largest and most successful open studio schemes in the UK, the subtle change in name helps reflect the fact that the scheme is a county wide event.

Earlier this year Norfolk Open Studios won The Visual Arts Award at the Norfolk Arts Awards. The Norfolk Arts Awards are held by the Hostry Festival in association with the Eastern Daily Press. The Visual Arts Award was sponsored by Norwich University of the Arts.

Norfolk Open Studios

For 16 days each year, Norfolk Open Studios celebrates the county’s artists and their achievements by offering them the opportunity to open their doors to the public to exhibit, sell and talk about their work.

Norfolk Open Studios has established itself as one of the largest and most successful open studios schemes in the country. It gives visitors the opportunity to see new art, meet artists, and – with many of the works on display being for sale – to buy original artworks directly from their creators.

Norfolk Open Studios is run by Norfolk & Norwich Festival as one of its initiatives. The Festival manages Norfolk Open Studios in partnership with Norfolk artists and makers. It is distinct from the annual Norfolk & Norwich Festival which takes place in May each year.