North East Open Studios 2025 13th – 21st September VISIT

Rules of North East Open Studios

One of the beautiful things about North East Open Studios is that it is open to all artists and makers, whether you are just starting out, or a seasoned pro. There is not, nor will there ever be a selection panel deciding whether you are at a good enough creative level to take part.

Whether or not you have a fine art degree, experience as a professional creative, awards, accolades, an impressive CV … none of this will ever be a barrier to entry. This is where talent can cut its teeth and benefit from a peer-to-peer network.

Creativity | Community | Connection | Collaboration.

The event was created by its founding members to provide a community and a network that did not exist 22 years ago.

There are however, some basic rules and ignoring these repeatedly or taking advantage of NEOS for profiteering, is not welcome. These rules have always been the case. They are not new and are readily available on the NEOS website in the Conditions of Entry, Constitution and Code of Conduct.

Below is a list of things that may prevent you from being able to take part in future NEOS events.

  1. We are an Open Studios Event NOT an Art & Craft Fair.

An Open Studios event is when artists and makers invite the public into their creative workspaces — whether that’s a home studio, shed, shared space, or hired venue — to see behind the scenes, meet the makers, and view work in the place it’s created. It’s informal, welcoming, and often part of a regional trail where visitors can explore multiple venues.

An Art & Craft Fair, by contrast, is typically held in one location like a hall or marquee, where artists and makers display and sell their finished work from stalls. It’s more of a market format and doesn’t involve the public seeing the making process or the working environment.

The key difference is process and place:

NEOS (North East Open Studios) emphasises the value of connection, conversation, and creativity – not just commerce.

2. All participants must be present during the times they say that they are open. This includes groups. Small groups and large groups must be constituted and active, with evidence of activities for a year. More information on groups can be found here in the Conditions of Entry.

3. No commercial businesses: this includes shops and galleries. We understand that not all artists and makers can open their homes or studios to visitors and that there are many reasons for this. If you are using a shop or a gallery, you are still the named NEOS member and participation should still be in the spirit of NEOS as an Open Studio event. Only paid NEOS members should be using the NEOS brand and publicity during the event to promote themselves and their opening times.

No sneaking in of spouses, children or grandchildren. If you are not a paid member, you are not a member of NEOS and should not be benefitting from the funds of the fully paid-up members. Breaking this rule may result in an instant ban.

4. You should demonstrate an aspect of your process regardless of where you are taking part. This does not mean you need to host a workshop. Sketch books, tools, materials, maps showing locations for plein air / inspiration / photos, contact sheets with notes in pencil – why did you choose that shot out of the many? This is not hard and putting a query in a search engine will provide you with inspiration if you are stuck.

5. No market stalls or purely gallery style set ups. If you need to use tea, coffee and cake to get visitors – NEOS may not be the right platform for you.

6. The committee are all volunteers, NEOS participants, working full-time with other commitments and navigating the general challenges of life. This event, over a large geographical region is a huge undertaking. We commit to organising the event, producing the iconic ‘books’ and promoting the main event. It is down to you as participants to promote yourselves and your locations / regions. Anything we do above and beyond our remit is the choice of the volunteers and what they are able to do within their own capacity. You committed to marketing yourselves before you were able to register.

7. Absolutely no rudeness to committee members or other NEOS members. This should not need saying and for the most part we have no problems, with a very lovely, supportive community. But sometimes as people’s stress and anxiety increases they forget that the committee are volunteers, who also have stress and anxiety! Rude behaviour includes entitled behaviour, sarcasm or expecting everything to be done for you. Rude communication via email, on the phone or via any other channel to any committee member, may result in an instant ban.

8. Deadlines are final. Deadlines are not arbitrary. We have them for a reason. No applications are accepted after the deadlines clearly advertised. No amendments to website listings or book listings are accepted after the deadlines unless there are exceptional circumstances that we may take into account. Any exceptions are at the sole discretion of the committee and post-holders.