What is Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios?
Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios (NNOS) is delivered by Norfolk & Norwich Festival in partnership with Norfolk artists for the benefit of Norfolk artists, offering to help and support them in opening up their studios, meeting their public and selling works of art. The scheme runs annually in May/June time for two weeks (including three weekends)
Now in its eighteenth year, NNOS has established itself as one of the largest and most successful open studio schemes in the country. It provides the opportunity for artists across the county to show and sell their work to a curious and enthusiastic audience, primarily in their own studios, thereby maintaining and broadening the audience for local visual arts work. It also creates a focus for local artists and audiences to meet, spark interest and nurture enthusiasm for their work. During Norfolk Open Studios 2011, an estimated 33,000 members of the public roamed the county to visit over 340 participating artists in their studios and a total of £256,433 worth of art was sold.
NNOS in 2012
In 2012, Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios runs from Saturday 26 May – Sunday 10 June and over 240 venues are participating, with over 430 artists exhibiting as individuals or as part of a gallery or collective. Use the menu bar or 'Search' function at the top of this page to find comprehensive listings and images of all participating NNOS 2012 artists.
Entry to studios is free and many artists have organised additional events such as private views, workshops, demonstrations, launch events, artist talks, afternoon tea & cake, and much more! Also, why not visit several studios in the same area and make a day of it? Many of the artists have got together and organised Art Trails – just pick up a trail map and go – you’ll find plenty of refreshment stops and the chance to win a prize along the way!
Don’t forget to include the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios Schools as part of your studio visits. There are 19 schools across Norfolk participating in NNOS 2012 who will be opening their doors and becoming their very own open studios, allowing the public to see a future generation of budding artists!
How to get a copy of the brochure
You can download the NNOS 12 brochure free from the website or pick up a copy from many arts venues, tourist information centres and libraries across the county as well as some pubs and cafes.
Applying to participate in NNOS 2013
The dates for Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios in 2013 will be confirmed during the summer of 2012. The application procedure opens in the autumn, usually in October.
There is a joining fee to participate in NNOS; one fee for individual artists and higher fees for groups of artists exhibiting in one venue. For the fee you get a listing with an image in the NNOS brochure/directory, an all-year-round website listing and an opportunity to take part in the Central Taster Exhibition at the Forum in Norwich. This year, more artists got together to form clusters of studios or ‘Art Trails’ to encourage the ‘day out’ opportunity of NNOS. Also, many artists organised additional events to their open studio such as afternoon teas, talks, demos, classes/tuition, etc.
The deadline for applications to join NNOS is usually around the second week of December and all artists are given the opportunity to proof read their brochure entry before it goes to print. There is no selection process to join the scheme but you do have to be living or working as an artist in Norfolk.
Watch this space for more info about when the application procedure opens again.
Want to find out more?
For more information about Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios and to join the mailing list so that you are sent the application pack in the Autumn, please email Kat Stapley, Project Manager, Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, katherine@nnfestival.org.uk or phone 01603 877757.