The mission of Open Studios is to advance and enrich the visual arts and promote the role of artists in the Boulder community.

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Open Studios is more than just the annual studio tour. Since 1995, the organization has grown to encompass numerous programs and projects designed to raise awareness and appreciation of art in our community. Over the last 25 years, Open Studios has become the most comprehensive visual arts organization in Boulder, including five different programs:

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• Open Studios Tour & Membership

The Studio Tour is our flagship event, created in 1995. The Tour is an exciting 3-weekend-long event with a festival-like atmosphere. In recent years, the Tour has attracted approximately 8,000 patrons from our region and beyond. These patrons visit multiple studios, meet artists, purchase art, learn about their art-making practices and form lasting relationships with the artists. Our Membership Program provides 12 months of activities and benefits for artists to promote their art, engage with the public and hone their skills in the business of the arts.

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• Boulder Plein Art Festival (BPAF)

Juried Plein Air artists from around the country spend a week capturing our beautiful Boulder County scenery on paper and canvas. They compete for notoriety, cash rewards and the opportunity to market and sell the art produced during the festival week. Our next Plein Air Fest  will be held in June, 2021.

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• POP! Gallery

Using temporary spaces during the summer and holiday months, POP! Gallery gives local artists a retail opportunity to advance their careers and an opportunity for the public to see, learn about, and purchase art by Boulder artists.​

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• EdLinks Art Education

EdLinks matches Boulder Valley School District art teachers with local professional artists for classroom instruction, projects, presentations, and demonstrations. The artists are employed and paid by Open Studios, in order to provide these services free of charge to the schools.

• Mobile Art Lab

The Art Lab appears at festivals, fairs and even birthday parties, providing materials, guidance and process-based teaching to encourage children and adults to discover the creative artist within. In collaboration with Boulder Housing Partners, the Lab facilitates art-based community-building projects in Boulder’s under-served neighborhoods. ​