Becoming an Open Studios Artist

The philosophy of the trail has been to give the public an insight into the creation of art through the opening of studio doors. For many people this is the major attraction - seeing the environment in which work is created, the tools and something of the process. If the artist is showing away from his place of work in a hall, hut or marquee then we need to offer a little of the flavour of the working environment either through some aspect of work being undertaken, a selection of tools or equipment or some working drawings or sketchbooks. We would like to maintain this 'accessibility' for the public and thus provide a rich and varied audience for the artist.

1. Registration
An online Registration Form will be available from mid October and the closing deadline is 30th November 2013.

Artists new to the trail must register one week in advance of the deadline.

2. Who can take part?
The Chichester Open Studios Art Trail is open to all artists and makers resident in the Chichester area or those who have their full-time art studio in the area.
The Chichester area for this purpose refers to the extent of the of the current Trail. Any studios outside of this area would need approval by the committee.

3. What type of work can I exhibit?
Only your own original work or fine art prints may be exhibited on the Trail.

4. Premises
While it is preferred that artists open their own studio, workplace or home for the Trail, it is evident that not all artists have a venue suitable to invite hundreds of visitors. In this situation artists may join together in a studio or may hire out a suitable room, hut, garage, marquee or hall within the Trail area.
There is, however, a limit of 3 artists sharing a venue for the Trail. This does not apply to venues which are studio complexes where the artist has a regular studio space. In the case of the studio complex all artists working at the site must register for the Trail. Galleries or art spaces promoting the work of other artists at the same time as the Trail will not be allowed.

5. Cost
The fee for joining this year is £80 per artist
The Fee includes all advtising and signs, a page on the trail website plus an entry in the Trail Guide of which 20,000 are distributed.
Also included in the fee is Third Party Public Liability Insurance for each venue.

PLEASE NOTE: An additional £25.00 administration fee will be charged to process late registrations or alterations to registration details after the deadline. Registration fees are non refundable. We cannot refund this fee for any reason - it covers the administrative cost of processing your registration and contributes towards costs of organising the event.