Norfolk Open Studios

Norfolk Open Studios ran from 1994 – 2025.

For 16 days each year, the award-winning programme celebrated the creativity of Norfolk’s artists and makers. Artists from across the county opened up their working spaces to the public, whether it was their studio, garage, garden, or shed, offering visitors the opportunity to get an up close look at the creative process, and buy some original artwork!

Artists often held additional events and workshops as part of their open studios, offering a hands-on experience for visitors. Artist Trails also formed a part of the programme, with artists creating their own local networks with fellow creatives, providing a new way for visitors to engage with the  studios. The Forum Trust opened its doors to participating artists each year, holding a preview exhibition of work and giving the public a taste of what was to come with the programme.

In 2023, due to the changing landscape of how artists are able to sell and promote their work, the ongoing impact of Covid, and Norfolk & Norwich Festival’s renewed focus on establishing similar opportunities, platforms and networks in areas of the community with less provision, the decision was made to cease operating the programme after 2025.

We would like to sincerely thank the thousands of local artists who have taken part in the programme since its inception, and the businesses who partnered with us to support preview exhibitions, private views, and professional opportunities for the artists we worked with.

Norfolk Open Studios was a Norfolk & Norwich Festival initiative, managed in partnership with Norfolk artists and makers.

There are similar schemes and initiatives artists might be interested in:

North Norfolk Open Studios – https://www.northnorfolkstudios.co.uk/

Norwich Print Fair – https://www.norwichprintfair.co.uk/

Cambridge Open Studios –  https://camopenstudios.org/

Norfolk Makers Festival – https://norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk/

Art Fair East – https://artfaireast.com/