1. Parties involved

Open Studios is a collaborative event organized by a group of volunteers, from now on to be called "Organizer". The event is designed to enable those involved in the visual arts, from now on called "Participant", to invite other artists and the general public to visit each others' studios and regular work spaces.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Participant's application

Participants are seriously committed to producing original work.
Participants should preferably have their own studio or regular, everyday working space.
The Participant should have had some previous experience of exhibiting in group or solo exhibitions.
It is a prerequisite that Participants are expected to be present during the hours of their selected weekends, failure to do so without good reason will mean their exclusion from future events.
Participants are expected to take an active role in supporting the scheme and its associated events.
Visitors should find visiting studios enjoyable and something they would want to repeat. To this end Participants should create a welcoming environment.
Participants must help with the distribution of Guides and posters.
Members of groups or institutions must join as individual members.

In order to insure continued quality standards, The Cyprus Chamber of Fine Art (EKATE) have kindly agreed to provide a review panel to screen all applications for Open Studios 2008. Artists submitting their applications should understand that their images and history description* will be forwarded on to this review panel automatically. Artists should return to their page on this website on June 7th to view the panel's decision. It is important to stress that the experienced amateur is equally valued as a participant.

* EKATE's review is based on the history description (step 4: GUIDE BOOK INFORMATION) and 5 photographs of your work (step 5: PHOTOS). So don't forget to provide the required information/material.

3. Exceptions

Spaces at some venues like Forza 9, Stegi and Tekni may be available for Participants not able to use their own studios and can be applied for now. Participants at these spaces should remember that they are expected to show work in progress and not just use them as exhibition spaces.

Two or more artists may count as a single member only if they genuinely collaborate in all their work.

If you are not sure if you qualify through these criteria, evidence of work can be made available to one of the co-ordinators or organizers for approval, by arrangement. Please contact us soon for further advice about these requirements, if you would like someone to visit or if you would like any further advice.

4. Members' rights and obligations

Open Studios gives you support and promotes your work to help you reach a wider public. As a member of Open Studios you will have both rights and obligations.
If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you will have enough work to show, do not apply to participate this year but spend time getting to know Open Studios and other artists while you build up your work. It reflects badly on Open Studios as a whole if visitors travel to a studio only to find that there is very little to see.

Furthermore, if you state in the Guide that your studio is going to be open at specific times then it must be open and you must be there. So, do think carefully before choosing your dates. If you fail to comply with this without a valid reason you may be excluded from participating in next years Open Studios.

5. Participation

Individual membership will cost € 95,- this year. This includes an entry in the Guide, a page on the web-site, promotional materials, (e.g. posters, flyers).

The website will post one page of details relating to each individual participant including links and contact details.

You will appreciate that Organizer and any gallery participating in the scheme are not taking any commission.

Disclaimer

Open Studios is held on an entirely voluntary basis. All artists and their visitors participate at their own risk. We will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, injury arising from Open Studios activities.

You may wish to seek advice for personal or public liability insurance. For your own security you might consider inviting friends to join you on open days, especially if concerned about access to your home.

Cheques should be made payable to 'Phyl O Reardon and Aristotelis Demetriou'.

MAY 31st 2008
is the absolute deadline for returning your application, enclosures and cheque.

In September we hope to make the Guide available for distribution.
You will be notified of dates for Previews of Open Studios when we hope you will be able to exhibit one or two examples of your work.

We have no affiliation with any group or organization in Cyprus or abroad.

We are a small group of unpaid volunteers organizing a 'not for profit' event.

We apologize in advance but we cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, accidents or injuries etc., arising from activities involving Open Studios. You are advised to examine your own insurance cover.