Bluff Country Studio Art Tour

The 17th Annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is open to artists and studios in southeastern Minnesota, with artists from southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa eligible to apply. The tour takes place April 28-30, 2017, in SE Minnesota. This is a studio tour with a preference for artists to open their studios to the public to demonstrate and show visitors their work process. Artists with studios that are not handicap accessible or conducive to tours are encouraged to apply as an artist at the hosted location at Lanesboro Community Center (an additional rental fee applies, split between all participating artists at this location).

Application deadline is October 31, 2016, with late applications accepted until November 15, 2016 at a higher fee. Artists must submit 6-10 high resolution photos at 300dpi with a maximum of 1920 px on the longest side. Entry fees vary by category: Emerging Artist - $125, New Established Artist - $210, Returning Artist - $250, Late Artist Application - $275, and Gallery/Museum/Art Institution categories ranging from $250-$350. An optional additional brochure photo costs $25. A new Emerging Artist category is available for artists with no experience exhibiting and selling artwork in an art fair/tour environment; only one emerging artist will be selected and must submit a 2000 character essay.

Artists' applications will be juried and notification of status will be provided by November 30th. Each artist receives a page on the tour website with a slideshow of work and a map to their location. The tour brochure includes a map of the entire tour with each artist listed and one photo, mailed to approximately 10,000 addresses of past patrons with an additional 5,000 distributed through local businesses, visitor centers, and art organizations. The tour is promoted through print ads, radio ads, and social media. Each artist is expected to provide a mailing list and distribute brochures to potential attendees.