Opportunity details | York Open Studios Call for Artists 2025

York Open Studios Call for Artists 2025

Deadline: 23/08/2024

City: York | Region: North Yorkshire | Country: United Kingdom | York Open Studios

York Open Studios is York's largest arts festival. We are inviting applications for our next event which takes place on 5-6 and 12-13 April 2025.

York Open Studios is a selected event taking place in artists' own studios, workshops and homes all across York. Every year we showcase over a hundred of York's 2D and 3D artists who make original art. Our visitors love YOS because it is more than an exhibition or a craft fair - it gives them an opportunity to buy original work, meet the artist, and find out more about how and where the work is made.

York Open Studios is run by a committee of volunteers - a mixture of YOS artists and non-artists who are passionate about the event.

To apply, you must live or have a permanent studio within a ten-mile radius of York city centre. We welcome applications from artists at all stages in their careers, including recent graduates who pay a reduced fee.

To submit:

Please read the FAQs before you complete the application form.

If you would like a clear print copy of this description, the FAQs, and the application form questions, please click here for a PDF version.

We require five good quality JPG images of the type of work you expect to show in April. At least three of these must be individual works but two may be detail or close-up shots.

Your images must be high quality and show your work clearly. They will be used by our panel during selection, and then if you are successful they will be used on our website, marketing materials and social media. We do not expect professional photos but they should be polished, print-ready and taken with a professional outlook. We reserve the right to crop or otherwise edit your images.

You are also asked to provide a short statement about the work in your images. Please explain your motivation, inspiration and materials used. You might also mention special techniques. Avoid flowery descriptions and do not make your statement too short, the aim is to make sure the panel understands you and your work.

Costs:
We charge £125 for successful applications. Recent graduates (within 2 years) pay a reduced fee of £60. Artists pay a commission of 10% on their sales over £300.

Make a submission Contact the curator

Who is eligible for this opportunity?

Artists and craftspeople who create original 2D and 3D work, and who live or have a permanent studio within ten miles of York city centre at the time of the Open Studios weekends.

When is the deadline?

11.59pm, 23 August 2024.

Where can I exhibit?

You can use your own permanent studio, workshop, home, an educational establishment where you teach or where you are artist in residence. Up to five artists can share one venue as long as at least one of these artists uses the space on a permanent basis. If there are more than five artists who are all permanently resident in a venue then they will be permitted to show together. Borrowed or hired venues are not permitted.

What are the exhibition opening hours?

Friday 5 April 6-9 pm (optional preview evening)
Saturday 6 April 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 7 April 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 12 April 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 13 April 10 am-5 pm

Is there a private view / opening?

Artists can choose to have a public preview on the evening of Friday 5 April which will be published in the directory and on the website. Artists can also choose to have a private preview on this evening but this will not be published.

Do I need to be present?

Yes, you must be present at your venue at all published times on both weekends.

How much does it cost?

We charge £125 for successful applications. Recent graduates (within 2 years) pay a reduced fee of £60.

Artists pay a commission of 10% on their sales over £300. We do not take commission on the first £300.

How do you decide on applications/proposals?

We employ an independent panel of arts professionals to select our artists.

What are the selection criteria?

The work submitted should be original, consistent and show a clear 'artist's voice'. While all the work is for sale, York Open Studios is not a craft fair. The panel are not looking for generic items - your work should be exciting and intriguing and demonstrate a clear direction and vision. The panel will use their knowledge and experience to arrive at a decision and consider qualities such as use and application of materials, originality and composition. The panel will look for work showing artistic commitment and a professional outlook.

Decisions will be based purely on the quality of the applications submitted, so make sure your images are high quality and show your work clearly. You are asked for a description of your work, and you must make sure that the panel understands what they are looking at. Write about your materials, techniques, scale and inspiration and avoid flowery descriptions. The panel will be able to research your website, but time is always tight, and first impressions from the submitted images and description are crucial.

Artists who submit poor quality images or descriptions that are too brief are unlikely to be selected.

The decision of the selection panel is final and we are unable to give feedback to individuals on their applications.

How many images do I need to submit?

You must submit five good quality JPG images of the type of work you expect to show in April. At least three of these must be individual works but two may be detail or close-up shots.

Your images must be high quality and show your work clearly. They will be used by our panel during selection and then if you are successful they will be used on our website, marketing materials and social media. We do not expect professional photos but they should be polished, print-ready and taken with a professional outlook. We reserve the right to crop your images.

What happens if my application is accepted?

You will receive a congratulatory email and a further form to fill in to ask additional questions for your directory entry and confirm that you agree to our terms and conditions. You will also be asked to pay your admission fee. The deadline for payment and provision of further details is 19 October 2024.

What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?

Each artist will have a dedicated page on our website and will be showcased across our social media channels. A printed directory with images, venue address and contact details will be produced including a handy map showing all venues. We employ a PR agency who provide press coverage and place adverts in local and national publications.

Where will my venue be listed?

Each artist will have a listing in our printed directory, their venue indicated on the map and a dedicated page on our website. We also highlight each artist on social media.

Tell me about the taster exhibition

We hope to have a Taster Exhibition at the Hospitium in the Museum Gardens, on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March. This is an opportunity for all of our participating artists to display a piece of their work and it gives visitors a chance to plan which studios they'd like to visit. At this stage you do not need to say whether you would like to be part of this but you might want to make a note of the dates.

Will I need to attend any meetings?

Yes, you are expected to attend a meeting on Saturday 12 October 2024 where the YOS committee will introduce themselves, welcome new artists and give you important information about the event. There will also be an optional meeting/social prior to the event where new artists and people who have exhibited before can get together to share useful hints and tips on how to get the most out of York Open Studios.

How is York Open Studios run?

York Open Studios is run by a committee of volunteers - a mixture of YOS artists and non-artists who are passionate about the event.

You must have an account to make a submission using CuratorSpace. It's free and only takes a few moments. Once registered you'll be able to keep track of all of your submissions and get updates on upcoming opportunities.

Already have an account? You'll need to log in to make a submission to this opportunity.

You must have an account to send a message to the curator of this opportunity. Registering only takes a few moments. Once registered you'll be able to keep track of all of your submissions and get updates on upcoming opportunities.

Already have an account? You must log in to send this curator a message.

Other opportunities

MINI Exhibition Opportunity
Canfas Gallery is hosting a small contemporary art exhibition of miniature works, inviting UK... "Literary Muse" – Open Call for issue 50 - art & writing influenced by words
Call for Submissions: "Literary Muse" – An Artistic Dialogue influenced by Literature We are... Lightpool Artist in Residence 2024
This is an exciting opportunity for an artist who is interested in creating imaginative light...

More opportunities