We are so excited to be preparing for, what we hope will be, a bumper year for 10th Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week taking place across the county from 16th-25th August 2025. Applications to take part will open online on 12th February and close on 19th March. Hopefully, the following information will provide you with answers to questions that you may have about taking part but if there are additional queries please email us on contact@worcestershireopenstudios.org
What is Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week?
Our Art Week is the largest free art event in the county. In this well-established, annual event artists and makers, who belong to the organisation, invite visitors into their studios/homes & other spaces to meet with them, learn more about their creative processes and be inspired by their work.
How do people choose artists to visit?
Our yearly evaluation of the event tells us that the main reasons the public visit an artist are to:
- See artwork
- Meet and talk to artists
- Get inspiration and ideas
They choose the artists to visit based on their guide/website image combined with the type of medium and the geographical area
Do I have to be a member to take part?
Yes. Membership, which costs £35, entitles you to a year-round, updateable profile/gallery on the website, access to discounts and opportunities from our partners, ability to post your events, exhibitions, workshops/courses for free on our popular and growing website and the opportunity to take part in the flagship Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week (for which there is an additional fee). Read more about ‘Benefits of Membership’ here: https://www.worcestershireopenstudios.org/membership
When will Membership run until?
Membership lasts for a full year (or much more for those who have already joined us!). All current members and those joining us for the 2025 event will have membership until the enrolment for the 2026 event and enjoy all the associated membership benefits throughout the year.
How much does it cost to take part?
Once you are a member, taking part in the August Art Week costs a further £105 per person for artists and makers showing alone and £95 for those exhibiting in a group/at same location. With the membership fees covering the significant website running costs, the event entry fees reflect the expense of producing some 15,000 guides, posters and other marketing materials and of distributing them countywide as well as other associated running costs.
Unlike some other Open Studios/Art Week events, where Groups are given just a small group mention and tiny images, or in some cases no individual image, in the event guide, all WOS participants, whether they are single or group exhibitors receive exactly the same in terms of space. Everyone gets an individual profile and the same-sized photograph of their work.
Groups appear together under the same Venue Number and artists/craftspeople are labelled a,b,c, d and so on. It is a very clear, unambiguous and easy-to-use format. We believe this is very important as feedback from previous events tells us that participant’s profiles are what visitors use to decide who to visit and that they keep the guide after the event to use as a local art directory. Feedback also tells us that another key selling point for WOS is being able to meet our artists and makers personally and our focus is thus on supporting and promoting each and every participant equally in the guide.
The relatively small discount for those taking part in a group reflects the fact that less signage will be required.
There will, additionally, be some space available in the guide to take out an advert if that is something that you are keen to do but spaces are very limited.
Will there be a printed guide this year?
Yes, absolutely. Each artist will have their own entry in the guide which will include one image of their work, type of artwork, short description, opening times and facilities.
You will receive copies of the guide for your own use. We will also distribute copies to key locations across the county to help promote the event. We understand that visitors often keep the guide as a reminder/directory of local artists and makers and many participants say that they continue to benefit from inclusion in the guide, as well as contacts made during the event, long after the event.
Do I need to open my studio for the full ten days?
No, you don’t have to open for the full ten days. We ask that you open for both weekends if possible as it provides a better visitor experience and supports those opening on similar days nearby. However, we do understand that people have pre-existing commitments so ultimately it is your choice, but you must open for the days and times that you publish in the guide, otherwise visitors are left very disappointed. There is the option of also opening midweek which, during the last event saw some good success with visitor numbers and sales. Perhaps use midweek days to run a workshop or demonstration which you can advertise on the relevant website section (we will be promoting and workshops taking place during WOS), this is proven to encourage visitors on quieter days.
I’ve already committed to other exhibitions, can I still take part?
Yes, of course. Many members have work in different exhibitions whilst taking part separately in Art Week. You can take part in your own studio/creative space, be registered as such and be in the printed guide whilst also having work elsewhere. Don’t forget to post about your other exhibitions on the ‘Events/Exhibitions’ page!
My studio is too small for multiple visitors
Consider setting up outdoors if you have a garden. Or alternatively share a venue with another member. If you want help finding someone to share with, post up your interest on our private Members’ Facebook group. Your alternative location must be in Worcestershire or on its borders.
What if I can’t be at my studio every day?
Visitors expect to meet the artist taking part. Unlike a gallery or exhibition, meeting the artist sets Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week apart and visitors expect the artist to be there and studios to be open for the full weekend. To avoid disappointment and wasted journeys it is mandatory that you open for the days for you have registered and that you are present in your studio/exhibition space throughout the opening hours that you have specified in the guide. If you are exhibiting as a group, please ensure that at least ¾ of participants are available on any given day, it is in your interest to be there as it significantly increases the chance of making a sale.
Can I sell my work?
Yes of course, but feedback has shown that visitors don’t expect to visit a shop. If they like you and your work they are going to be looking for an opportunity to buy something. Your studio or space where you are taking part is the priority. If this is successful then sales are more likely to happen, and your visitors will return and follow you online. We suggest having a range of items available at different price points.
We know that many sales are made after the Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week event by visitors who ‘discovered’ an artist/maker during their visits.
What if I have to cancel?
If you cancel before 21st March 2025 we will provide you with a full refund. After that date the guide will go to print with your details in it and no refund will be possible.
If you do have to cancel after that date, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can update the website to let visitors know. We also ask that you put a closed sign on your door during the event under those circumstances.
Do I have to pay commission on sales?
No, we don’t ask for any commission. We do ask you to keep a record of numbers and types of sales and to provide this feedback so that we can use it to help us track the success and effectiveness of the event. You may have a separate arrangement with a host venue where you do pay commission but this is between you and the venue.
Can I update my Art Week event profile?
Your entry for the Art Week guide will be created from the information you supply when your register for the event, this will not be editable after 21st March. However, if there are any errors let us know and we can update your entry up until the print cut-off date. No other changes will be possible after that as we will be using the information provided for the printed guide. You will, however, be able to change your online artist profile (rather than registration profile) at any time.
Do I need insurance?
You must have Public Liability insurance to cover any accidents to visitors whilst they are on your premises. You may also wish to consider covering your artworks against loss and damage, and professional indemnity insurance. The SAA, Axisweb and a-n.co.uk all offer reasonably priced cover. Please also consider any possible impact on your home insurance policy.
Will you supply any marketing materials to promote the event?
Yes, you will receive printed guides, posters and handouts along with road signage to promote the event locally.
Can I produce my own posters and marketing materials?
Yes, we supply a customisable template for you to create your own posters and postcards. You must use the provided Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week branding.
Can I use the Art Week logo on my own web pages and marketing materials?
We will provide a specific Art Week for use by artists participating in the event.
Also on social media, please use #worcestershireopenstudios and tag us @worcestershireopenstudios on your posts.
What about demonstrations or ‘Have-a-Go’ sessions?
We encourage that you share with visitors as much as possible those things which give a real insight into your studio practice and how you create your artwork.
Demos, workshops and ‘Have-a-Go’ sessions are a great way to do this and help increase footfall to outlying areas and during quieter (weekdays) periods. These can be publicised on the website and we aim to highlight them in the event marketing.
I run a gallery, can I take part?
We welcome applications from artists and makers who operate a gallery within their studio space and will be actively participating in the event themselves.
For the duration of the Art Week event, at least 80% of the work displayed in the gallery should be created by other Art Week participants who have also registered to take part.
We do not accept registrations from commercial galleries where the owner does not have a studio space on-site.
I’ve never taken part in the event before. Where can I get help?
There will be a Zoom Q+A style briefing at 7pm on 3rd March for artists or makers new to Worcestershire Open Studios, as well as those who have participated previously (we will send an email invite). We’ll go through the details and give you the opportunity to ask questions. Watch out also for our emails with updates, information and reminders in the run up to the event.
We have a private FB group for members where you can also ask questions, look for people to exhibit with and so on.
Finally, make sure that you are signed up to the mailing list and / or follow us on Social Media for the latest updates.