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Open Your Creative Space in 2026
North East Open Studios is a nine-day, region-wide event where artists and makers invite visitors into their working studios and shared venues. If you are ready to open your doors and connect directly with the public, we would love you to take part.
What Are You Joining?
What Is North East Open Studios?
North East Open Studios is not an art fair or craft market.
It is a coordinated open studios event across the North East of Scotland. Visitors travel from studio to studio, meeting artists, seeing work in progress and experiencing where creativity happens.
As a member you become part of a respected, long-standing event that:
- Promotes the event region-wide
- Produces our iconic yellow printed directory
- Hosts a professional online listing
- Runs a coordinated marketing campaign
- Connects you to a strong creative network
This is about visibility, credibility and genuine engagement with visitors.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Who Can Take Part?
We welcome applications from practising artists and makers working in the North East of Scotland.
Youth Membership is available for those aged 18 to 25.
You must:
- Be producing original work
- Be able to open your studio or venue for the required dates in September
- Meet all submission deadlines and administrative criteria
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please check our conditions of entry before registering.
We have put together some PDFs Help Guides to walk you through the application process and for the best chance of success.
North East Open Studios does not have – and will never have – a curatorial selection process based on perceived artistic merit or qualifications.
We DO have administrative criteria and not filling out your application properly is the only barrier to success.
Key Dates
Registration Opens:
1st of March. This date has not changed in 23 years!
Registration Closes:
31st of March. Your application must be completed in full and payment received before this date.
Event Dates:
This year North East Open Studios is taking place on the 12th to the 20th of September. The event is 9 days. The community is year round.
Applications close strictly on the published date. Late entries will not be accepted.
North East Open Studios operates a single membership fee structure.
Membership Fee
Each participating artist pays individually for:
- Inclusion in the printed directory
- A personal online listing
- Inclusion on the interactive map
- Event signage and promotional materials
- Participation in the coordinated marketing campaign
Youth Membership (18 to 25) is offered at a reduced rate.
Every artist taking part must complete their own registration and pay their own membership fee, even if sharing a venue.
What Is Included
As a member you receive:
- A listing in our iconic yellow printed directory
- A dedicated online profile page
- Inclusion on the interactive event map
- Official event signage
- Inclusion in the region-wide marketing campaign
- Access to member guidance and support in a supportive and inclusive community
North East Open Studios promotes the event as a whole. Individual sales, pricing, public liability and venue logistics remain your responsibility.
Sharing a Venue
Sharing a Studio or Venue
We know not everyone can open their own studio.
Artists are welcome to share venues. However, each participating artist must:
- Register individually
- Provide their own images and listing information
- Pay their own membership fee
- Meet all deadlines
- Actively promote their own participation locally
- Be present - in person - on the days they list as being open
Shared venues are responsible for coordinating their own logistics, but each artist remains individually accountable for their listing, local marketing, public liability and participation.
Your Commitment as a Member
North East Open Studios is a collaborative event. To maintain its reputation, members are expected to:
- Open their studio or venue - in person - for the advertised dates
- Provide accurate information during registration
- Supply a strong 1080 x 1080 profile image
- Meet submission deadlines
- Actively promote their own participation locally and display official signage during the event
- Present work professionally and provide an 'open studio' experience
We are not an art and craft fair. Work should be original and presented to a professional standard. Members are expected to provide an insight into their creative practice and engage with visitors.
How Registration Works
Registration is completed online.
To make the process smooth, please prepare in advance:
- Register and login with the email you want published in the book.
- A 1080 x 1080 profile image - your key image for your online listing and book entry
- Up to 18 additional images - show off your finished pieces and work in progress!
- A 340 character directory entry - this is the text for your online listing and book entry
- Artist Statement - this is about your ideas and process.
- Extended Bio - this is about your training (being self-taught counts), awards, exhibitions and professional experience.
- Social media and website URLs (use full addresses INCLUDING https)
- Opening times when you will be present in person.
- What3words location (copy and paste).
- Facilities and accessibility information.
Taking time to prepare these properly will strengthen your listing and help visitors plan their visit.
Accessibility & Inclusion
We ask all members to provide clear and accurate access information so visitors can plan confidently.
This may include:
- Step-free access
- Parking details and clear directions
- Toilet facilities
- Wheelchair access
- Any limitations visitors should be aware of
- Dog friendly or animals present
Clear information builds trust and supports more inclusive visitor experiences.
Registration opens 1 March.
Ready to Take Part?
If you are prepared to open your creative space and be part of a respected regional event, we look forward to welcoming you.