Artists’ FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)

How do I open my house?

Anyone can open their house. In order to do this, it is best to join a trail as you will probably receive more visitors and also benefit from collective publicity. You will need to contact your local trail representative (to do this see contact details below). If there is no trail in your area, or your local trail is full for this year, you will need to join the independent houses (contact details below)

How do I get into an Open House?

If you are not planning to open your own house, you can exhibit in someone else’s house by going to the ‘Guest artist’ section of this site and leaving your details, so that venues looking for artists can contact you directly

Is there a selection proccess?

To be part of the Open Houses there is no selection proccess – anyone can open their house. However, some trails do have a ‘probationary’ period before you can be inlcuded in their trail. Contact your area’s trail representative for specific details. If you cannot join your local trail, all houses are welcome to open as independent venues (contact the independent representative below)

Do I have to live in Brighton?

To open your house as part of the Artists Open Houses you have to live within the 01273 telephone code area. You can live outside the area if you are a guest artist in someone else’s house.

Can I open my own house if it is rented?

You do not need to be a house owner to take part in the Artists Open Houses. However, please check that you are not infringing your rental agreeement

Do I have to be a professional artist or maker?

Not necessarily, but houses may expect a certain degree of professionalism when selecting their exhibiting artists

What does it cost?

As a guide, the listing price for 2010 was £240 per venue. This fee is usually divided between all the artists exhibiting in the venue, which means the cost to individual artists is quite small. You may also find a local sponsor/s to help you cover this cost.

What do I get for my money?

A single listing in the AOH brochure gets you: a single image, a listing for all your exhibiting artists, details of opening times, facilities you may care to offer visitors and a map of your area marking the location of your house.

For 2010 the brochure print run was 50,000 brochure copies and 60,000 map-leaflets. The map-leaflet is also reproduced as an insert in Latest 7 and Latest Homes magazine. The distribution area covers Central London (including all major galleries), South London Orbital, Kent, Sussex, and Brighton and Hove city, as well as a targeted mailing list of around 80,000 recipients.

Your contribution also includes duplication of all brochure information on the AOH web site. The web site has a fully interactive search facility allowing visitors to find individual artists or media. The web site has a year–round presence.

You also have a dedicated AOH committee that works to promote and market Artists Open Houses through all forms of media throughout the year. For the 2009 festival this includes interviews and articles with national as well as local print media, numerous radio interviews, TV and film.

You will also receive invitations to the AOH launch event.
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Trail representatives contact details:

Guest Artists

If you have already registered as a Guest artist to exhibit your work within 'find a guest artist', you can manage your profile here:

Manage your profile

Exhibitors Manual

The AOH Exhibitors Manual gives practical advice on setting up an Artists Open House for the first time. Available in PDF format.

Download PDF

Contact

Artists’ FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)

How do I open my house?

How do I get into an Open House?

Is there a selection proccess?

Do I have to live in Brighton?

Can I open my own house if it is rented?

Do I have to be a professional artist or maker?

What does it cost?

What do I get for my money?

Trail representatives contact details:

Beyond The Level

Central Brighton

Ditchling

Dyke Road Arts

Fiveways

Hanover

Hove

Kemptown

Newhaven

Ouze Valley

Rottingdean

Seven Dials

Independent Houses

Guest Artists

Exhibitors Manual