How to become part of Suffolk Open Studios

To be eligible for membership you must be a committed maker/exhibitor of quality original works of art and/or craft, and have your studio/gallery in the Suffolk area

Click here for Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Suffolk Open Studios is an established, well known and respected art organisation with over 100 members spread throughout the county.
Our aim is to promote the creation and appreciation of the visual arts in Suffolk by opening our studios collectively in June offering an insight to our workings and holding various exhibitions throughout the year.

Core Events –

S.O.S Showcase Exhibition
End of May
Blackthorpe Barn Rougham near of Bury St Edmunds
The perfect opportunity to see the stunning collection of members work all under one roof. Includes a Private View for VIPs and all S.O.S. members.

Open Studios Event
Weekends in June 11am to 5pm
Various studio locations throughout Suffolk
A chance to see how artists work, the public invited to visit members studios.

Autumn Exhibition
End of November.
Providing the occasion to see the latest collection of SOS artists work.

Click here for full details of Core Events 2008

In addition to the core events, at other times during the year-

S.O.S Members’ Exhibitions
Members are entitled to arrange collective exhibitions of their own.
An ideal opportunity for members to exhibit their work outside of the SOS core events and promote it under the SOS umbrella.
Click here for full details

Promoting the events and SOS members -

Directory
30,000 full colour artist directories are produced and distributed throughout Suffolk, covering the above. Artists opening their studios are allocated 1/3rd of a page within the directory which includes an artists statement, directions to the artists studio, and an image illustrating their work.
Posters and Private View invitations are also produced and distributed.

S.O.S Website
The S.O.S Website is a great user friendly site to visit and explore members details, exhibitions etc. The site is frequently updated with SOS news and contains lots of additional useful information.

Volunteering
The organisation is run by artists for artists. Members’ become part of a mutually supportive group which gives artists the chance to make friends and work co-operatively with like minded people.

All members are required to assist with the distribution of the S.O.S directory, posters, and private view invitations. Members exhibiting their artwork at S.O.S core events are required to deliver and hang their own work as directed. There are also other tasks required e.g. assisting with the organisation of the various core events, stewarding, setting up and taking down etc.

For those not wishing to volunteer for such duties, a volunteer exemption payment fee is to be paid.

Committee members are volunteers and are asked to put themselves forward for election to the present chairman prior to the AGM in November.

Committee consist of -

Chairman
Treasurer
Directory Coordinator
Distribution Coordinator
Showcase Exhibition Coordinator
Autumn Exhibition Coordinator
Directory Advertising Coordinator
Publicity Coordinator
Secretary
Area Leader coordinator
Recruitment Secretary

If you are interested in any of the above positions please contact the Chairman.

Area leaders are also required. Their main duties are to assist with the distribution of the directories, posters and invitations to artists, to be a point of contact for artists and to encourage membership in their area.

Many Hands make Light Work

Areas
S.O.S has divided Suffolk into areas. These are arranged by the District Councils (Forest Heath, Waveney, St Edmundsbury, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal or Babergh). An artist’s area is determined by where their studio/venue is situated.

Artists choose which weekends they would like to open, but if possible it is advisable that artists in each area open on at least one weekend together.

1st weekend St Edmundsbury
2nd weekend Mid Suffolk & Forest Heath
3rd weekend Suffolk Coastal & Waveney
4th weekend Ipswich & Babergh

The various options available for membership are:

• Artists (full membership)
This is for artists who would like to participate in SOS events and open their studios to the public in June.
Membership Fee £85

Click here for for full details


• Group of Artists or Teaching Organisations
No longer available. Available as Associate Artists only.

• Associate Artist
This is designed for those artists or art groups who do not wish to exhibit actively with S.O.S. or open their studios in June, but would like to be included within the directory.
Membership Fee £25

Click here for full details


• Gallery Listing
For galleries that wish to be associated with SOS and to be included within the directory and on the S.O.S website under Galleries section.
Membership Fee £100

Click here for full details



Also available for art lovers is -

• Friends of Suffolk Open Studios
For those who would like to be informed and be invited to SOS activities and events.
Click here for full details and to apply online

Alternativel if you want to download a form to printout and complete by hand
Click here for full details and application form download