17th Annual Portland Open Studios

Portland Open Studios is a juried studio tour of approximately 96 artists in the Portland metro area, providing an opportunity for artists to open their studios to the public. Now in its 17th year, the event is an important and anticipated annual arts event that attracts visitors from the community and beyond. The tour is a ticketed event; attendees may purchase a printed Tour Guide Calendar, Map-Only ticket, smartphone app, or be personally invited by participating artists to their studios.

Eligibility is open to all visual media except film and is limited to residents of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Artists are required to open their studios and demonstrate their working methods during all hours of both weekend dates (October 10, 11, 17, 18). Studios will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists must have an educational element, such as documentation of methods or demonstrations of technical and creative processes. A studio is defined as any workspace which the artist is permitted to open to the public and where the artist can demonstrate their working methods, including living rooms and garages. The entry fee is $35. Upon acceptance, a participation fee of $150 is collected to fund advertising and operating costs. An optional volunteer opt-out fee of $175 is available. Three jurors from Portland's arts community view and score submitted images; the combined scores determine which artists are invited to participate. The percentage of previous participants admitted will not exceed 65% of total participants.

Selected artists receive benefits including publication of artwork and contact information in a full-color Tour Guide distributed throughout the region, publication in iPhone and Android apps, a dedicated website page featuring three images and artist statement, five free Tour Guides and five free Map-Only tickets, studio signs, two free workshops, and blog announcements from April 2015 through March 2016. Artists ages 20–30 are encouraged to apply for the Kimberly Gales Emerging Artist Scholarship, which waives all fees and provides a $100 stipend. Submission deadline is March 15, with selection notification on April 1. Evening workshops are scheduled for May and August (dates to be determined).