IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ARTISTS

Preparing to Register

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING

The registration form does not need to be completed in one sitting you can partially complete and save changes. You only need to save and continue if you wish to come back to the form later. The following preparation may be helpful:

• Your venue statement, (Each option allows a different number of words, please ensure this is not exceeded).
• Image of your artwork, to upload.
• If multiple artists at your venue, please choose a lead and input this artists name in the correct box on the form.
• Images must be as JPG files, of size between 1mb and 3mb each.
• Change the image file’s name before uploading your artwork followed by a sequence number eg JoeBloggs1  JoeBloggs2  JoeBloggs3 

Cost.

• £125 Per Artist

• OPTION 1:
  Quarter A5 page = Included in artists fee. Includes up to 1 image, venue name, up to x3 artforms, address, contact details (includes phone number, email, website, social media), directions to venue (up to 20 words), opening days and times, //what3words, accessibility information, and a 20 word statement, individual names in index and website search.

• OPTION 2:
  Half A5 page = Minimum of 2 artists plus £50. Includes up to 3 images, venue name (artists names), up to x3 artforms, address, contact details (includes phone number, email, website, social media), directions to venue (up to 20 words), opening days and times, //what3words, accessibility information, and a 30 word statement, individual names in index and website search.

• OPTION 3:
  Three Quarter A5 page = Minimum of 3 artists plus £75. Includes up to 5 images, venue name (artists names), up to x3 artforms, address, contact details (includes phone number, email, website, social media), directions to venue (up to 20 words), opening days and times, //what3words, accessibility information, and a 40 word statement, Venue name in index and website search.

• OPTION 4:
  Full A5 page = Minimum of 5 artists plus £100. Includes up to 7 images, venue name (artists names), up to x3 artforms, address, contact details (includes phone number, email, website, social media), directions to venue (up to 20 words), opening days and times, //what3words, accessibility information, and a 50 word statement, Venue name in index and website search.

Please read the following notes carefully prior to registering.

• Please use normal upper and lowercase type, Not block capitals.
• Your Venue must be within Dorset.
• Register in your own name not a trading name.
• Each artist must register and pay individually.
• Please note if you are sharing a venue, please ensure you mark the box and complete the venue details accordingly.
• All artists at the same venue must register for Open Studios individually.
• No late entries can be accepted. Registration ends at midnight on 18th January 2026.

Please be sure to proof read your registration because the information you provide will be uploaded directly to your website page and used for your Guide entry. 

Publicity

• We will actively promote Dorset Art Fest and support our artists through press and online advertising. 
• We’ll provide you with clear signs so visitors can easily find their way to your venue, plus posters, flyers, and Guides for you to distribute accordingly.
• Your own efforts to market your studio and artwork will further increase visitor numbers and enhance your overall experience.

Materials Collection Day 2026 Expected End of May TBC

• Collection day is when you will collect everything you need for your studio, signs, posters, flyers, and Guides. 
• It’s also a great opportunity to meet and connect with fellow artists. 

Setting up your Studio Venue

• The idea behind Open Studios is for the public to see your work in the context of its creation. Visitors love to gain an insight into your working practice, the tools you use, the process and details of making; it becomes accessible, adding meaning and associations to your work.
• An artist’s working environment can pose hazards to visitors. The Guide will carry a disclaimer to the effect that visitors enter at their own risk.
• We advise you also print out a safety notice and display in your studio.
• Carry out a safety/risk assessment.

Once you have completed the form, you can pay the registration fee of £125 by BACS payment. Invoices will be sent to the lead artist for options 2-4.  NB online payment is preferred, if you need to pay by cheque email contact@dorsetart.co.uk for details.

Pre Event

• Consider if there's sufficient parking space for your visitors.
• Label all your works with their title, medium and price (if for sale).
• Have some blank sales receipts ready, plenty of small change and a supply of 'red dot' stickers for works that you have sold.
• Ensure your studio is as easy as possible to find.
• Use your social media accounts to link to us and yourself in the run up to the event.
• Send out invitations.

Throughout Event

• Make sure you get complete details from your buyers on the invoice in case of a problem and to keep your inventory of works up-to-date.
• It is best to mark the work that has been sold with a red dot and arrange for its delivery after the end of the Open Studios event because this will keep your display intact and will show visitors that you have sold some works.
• Low value items such as postcards are a useful way of generating sales.
• Refreshments and simple snacks are optional, but a good way to keep visitors longer in your studio.
• One way to make peoples visit memorable is to give some demonstrations throughout the day.
• Encourage visitors to leave their contact details in a visitor's book. In accordance with latest privacy laws, you need to ask for their permission in order to contact them later on. This is an opt-in on their part rather than an opt-out.

Post Event

• Collect in all signage/banners as soon as practically possible.
• Follow-up with your visitors by sending some 'Thank you' notes and update your mailing list with the new contacts you have collected. 
• Take note of what went well and what did not and make some check lists for next time.
• Sit back and relax, or complete those commissions you've acquired. 
• Be proud of yourself, it is a big achievement you have completed.

The team are here to support and promote Artists, and we’re confident you will enjoy being part of the Dorset Art Fest. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at contact@dorsetart.co.uk