Guide For Artists

Guide for Artists

Preparing to Register

PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE NOTES FOR ARTISTS

The form does not need to be completed in one sitting you can partially complete and save changes. You only need to save and continue if you wish to come back to the form later. The following preparation may be helpful:

• Your artist’s personal statement/biography (200 words maximum).
• About your work (20 words max)
• 4 images of your artwork, to upload. (One must be an image of you in your studio).
• These images must be as JPG files, of size between 1mb and 3mb each. Format image size, Portrait – 1:1, 4:5, 3:4. Landscape 1:1, 5:4 or 4:3 This is for the printed guide, website, social media & publicity. 
• Name your Image file’s name before uploading your artwork followed by a sequence number eg JoeBloggs1, JoeBloggs2, JoeBloggs3, JoeBloggsStudioImage
• No shops/galleries can take part unless the artist/group are all registered and are the only artists showing in that venue.
• Please read the following notes carefully prior to registering.
  • Please use normal upper and lowercase type, Not block capitals.
  • Register in your own name not a trading name.
  • Each artist must register and pay individually.
  • Please note that only artists with a full or part-time studio within the Chichester area are eligible to join.
  • A maximum of 6 artists may share a Venue.
  • In the case of a permanent studio complex, all artists working at the site must register for Open Studios individually.
  • No late entries can be accepted. Registration ends at midnight on 30th November 2026.
  • Maximum of 170 artists for the 2027 Trail, on a first-come-first-served basis. Once this limit is reached, no further entries will be accepted.

  Please proofread your registration carefully. The information you provide here will be uploaded directly to your page on our website and used for your Guide entry as well as for all publicity purposes.

Publicity

We actively promote Chichester Open Studios Artists and support our artists through press and online advertising. We’ll provide you with clear signs so visitors can easily find their way to your studio, posters, flyers, and Guides.

Your own efforts to market your studio and artwork will further increase visitor numbers and enhance your overall experience.

Signage

Signs will be distributed a few weeks before the snapshot event. Arrow signs should be placed out on the morning of each Trail day. While we endeavour to supply signs secured on stakes, you may wish to reinforce them further depending on your location. Full details will be sent by email to all registered artists. Please note these will be handed out during the ‘Promotional Materials‘ collection day.

Collection Day TBC 2027!

Collection day provides everything you need for your studio—signs, clickers, posters, flyers, and Guides. It’s also a great opportunity to meet and connect with fellow artists. Dates TBC vis newsletter email.

Setting up your Studio Venue

The idea behind Open Studios is for the public to see your work in the context of its creation. Visitors love to gain an insight into your working practice, the tools you use, the process and details of making; it becomes accessible, adding meaning and associations to your work.

We also encourage new venues, where possible, to participate for 3 – 4 years in a row. This gives you the opportunity to build a following, develop your visitor base and get the most from being part of the Art Trail.

Setting Up Your Venue – Chichester Open Studios

Safety Guidance

An artist’s working environment can pose hazards to visitors. The Guide will carry a disclaimer to the effect that visitors enter at their own risk and we will also provide a safety notice for you to print out and display in your studio. Venue Safety – Chichester Open Studios

Newsletters

We will keep in touch with you via Newsletters, from info@chichesteropenstudios.org letting you know what is happening on the organisational side, anything we need from you and when it is required. It is essential you thoroughly read these emails and it is each individual artists responsibility to do so; it may seem long but it’s all necessary details. We use mailchimp to send our emails in bulk to all artists. Please be sure to check your spam folders periodically and press not spam as not to miss out on vital information.

Artist Mentors

Seasoned artists are offering a guiding hand to newcomers through our relaxed mentoring programme. If you feel this would be helpful, simply tick the box for a mentor when registering, and we will do our best to match you with a suitable guide.

We are here to support and promote Artists, and we’re confident you will enjoy being part of the Chichester Open Studios – Art Trail. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@chichesteropenstudios.org.

Artist Interviews

Each year a handful of artists partake in an artist interview, we would love to hear your success stories and get to know more about you. This is a limited time opportunity and will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. Dates to come forward TBC. (To be confirmed). Artist Interviews – Chichester Open Studios

Sharing

A max. SIX artists per venue

See Terms & Conditions 

Snapshot Exhibition

Each year artists are able to participate in a preview exhibition, artists may enter one main artwork 2D 100 x 100cm and 3D words size TBC, we will also be asking for a browser entry for COS27. We will update you with more information via newsletter regarding entry and asking for label details for this at a later date. We encourage all registered artists to participate to give visitors a taster of what is on offer during the Open Studios event in May.

Social Media

See our Social Media Tips – Chichester Open Studios Art Trail

Workshops

Included in your entry fee, share your workshops and we will upload it to our database here Workshops – Chichester Open Studios Art Trail

Community Resources/Advertising

Are you a business, would like to promote a business, we have extra Advertising opportunities. First offer is for our artists, for more information and price guides email: info@chichesteropenstudios.org

Register Now