Join the Open Studios Creative Community

Empowering Artists. Fostering Connection. Growing Careers.

The Call-for-Entry for the 2026-2027 Membership Year and 2026 Open Studios Tour is now online! Complete your application on CaFÉ before March 31, 2026.

The studio can be a lonely place, and the "business of art" can feel like a maze of taxes, pricing, and marketing. Whether you’re an emerging creator looking for your first gallery show or a seasoned professional seeking a deeper connection within the local artist community, Open Studios is your partner in creative entrepreneurship.

Why Join Open Studios?

We focus on the four pillars that help Boulder County artists thrive:

  • Visibility: We put your art in front of thousands. From our permanent gallery location, to public art placements in local businesses, to annual exhibits and our website, we provide our members with many opportunities to show their work and establish a name for themselves within the local art scene.

  • Business Education: Our members can master the "business of art" through monthly Zoom webinars and in-person workshops. We cover the topics that keep you up at night: pricing your work, navigating sales tax, transitioning to a full-time career, and more.

  • Direct Market Access: The annual Open Studios Tour each October bridges the gap between between the solitary studio and community members interested in learning about and buying art. Additionally, our website and e-newsletters reach thousands of art patrons every month, keeping our artists top-of-mind.

  • Marketing: Open Studios advertises the gallery, the Open Studios Tour, and other special events in print, digitally, and on air — driving high-intent audiences to your work. We list opportunities to interact with our organization and artists on local event calendars and regularly submit press releases to Colorado news media.

  • Peer Connection: Our members have the chance to break the isolation of the studio. Monthly coffee meet-ups and collaborative workshops enable you to build a network of local peers who share your challenges and celebrate your wins.

The Path to Membership: How to Apply

We are currently recruiting for the 2026-2027 membership year (July 2026 – June 2027). All applications are reviewed by a jury of art-industry professionals.

Apply now via CaFÉ
Deadline for Application: March 31, 2026

Applicant Requirements:

To become Open Studios members, applicants must:

  • Have a studio or home located in Boulder County from which they create visual artwork.

  • Seek to derive a portion of their annual income from their art practice.

  • Be technically proficient in their medium.

  • Present work that reflects an individual style and personal vision.

Selection & The Studio Tour

Artists selected by a panel of jurors will be invited to become Open Studios Members. The membership fee is $85/year for new members and $75/year for returning members. From the juried pool, the top 175 artists will also be offered the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Open Studios Tour. Tour participants pay a fee of $282 for new artists or $272 for returning artists.

Note: We believe art belongs to everyone. A limited number of scholarships are available for qualified artists who may face financial barriers to membership fees. Please contact us at info@openstudios.org for more information.

Member Responsibilities

As a member-driven nonprofit, our success depends on the collective effort of our artists. To remain in good standing, members agree to:

  • Complete volunteer service: Artist members are required to contribute 8 hours of volunteer service by May 31, 2027 (Tour artists need to contribute 12 hours). Alternatively, artists may pay a fee of $17/hour for time not volunteered. Completion of hours or payment is required to remain eligible for future membership. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful.

  • Read all Open Studios communication: Artist members are required to review and respond (if necessary) to all Open Studios email communications in a timely manner.

  • Maintain professional conduct: Our members will always treat staff, board members, fellow artists, and the public with kindness and respect.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

  • A community of local visual artists

  • Your own Artist Page in the openstudios.org Members Online Catalog with images of your work, artist statement, links to your email, website and social media.

  • For non-tour members, a piece of your best art in the annual Members’ Exhibit.

  • The opportunity to show and sell art through our permanent and pop-up galleries.

  • Sales and marketing training on topics including, but not limited to social media, sales techniques, website basics and more.

  • The opportunity to participate in our art-in-public-spaces program.

  • The opportunity to bring hands-on creativity to underserved communities, including children and seniors through the Mobile Arts Lab.

  • The opportunity to serve as an "Artist in Residence" in local schools, supporting teachers and inspiring students in Boulder County’s lower-income areas.

  • Ongoing social media, email and additional marketing campaigns throughout the year to promote all the activities listed here.

  • A $10 discount on membership fees for subsequent membership years.