Arvada Art Studio Tour - Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been doing the tour?

The Arvada Art Studio Tour was started in 2000 by a small group of artists wanting to build their community.

What is the tour?

For one weekend in September, Arvada artists open their home studios to the public from 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday. Our mission is to strengthen community connections and foster public appreciation for the arts in Arvada, Colorado. We aim to bring residents and artists together, increase understanding of the creative process, and encourage community engagement in the local arts scene.

What kinds of things do visitors get to see?

Each Artist will present things that they think will be of interest to their visitors, and will be able to answer your questions about how they create. Many artists will have their tools out, and projects in various levels of completion.

Is art for sale?

Nearly every artist will have pieces for sale. We are engaging with new artists and crafts persons who create for love of the craft and may not quite be ready to sell.

I love what you're doing - how can I support the Tour?

We are always looking for advertisers and grants. If you or someone you know would like more info, please contact us at arvadaartstudiotour@gmail.com.

I'm an artist. Can I join the tour?

Yes! We require our artists to have a connection to Arvada. If you produce or sell your artwork in the city of Arvada, you qualify to join the tour. Review / complete the Call For Entry Here!

Why should I join the tour?

Joining the tour is a great opportunity to connect with artists all across Arvada and build community. It's also a lot of fun! You get a chance to demonstrate your art and showcase your talent while meeting new people, often neighbors you might not have had a chance to get to know before. The tour also brings people (and potential customers) right to your door and provides publicity for your art, on our website, through social media highlights, and with a listing in the tour booklet handed out to visitors.

What if I don't have a home studio in Arvada? Or I don't want to open up my home to the general public? Can I still participate?

Yes! We have many artists who join a collective for the tour and use one Arvada location. We currently have a few groups at home studios as well as galleries. There is a group rate, and then an individual rate for each artist listed at that location (check the current call for entry). If you don't have a studio or gallery location to join, contact us and we'll connect you with one.

Can I participate in the tour for just part of it? I'm not available for the whole time.

Unfortunately no. We require our artists to participate fully in the tour- meaning you are present for visitors on both Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Many visitors drive far distances and spend time to see all our artists. It wouldn't be fair to them if they couldn't count on the artists to be there.

What if I don't have much art to show?

This tour is about showing the public the artistic process. Demos are highly encouraged! Seeing where and how you make your art is just as important as seeing the finished product. So display your works in progress, showcase your equipment or organization techniques, and have fun talking about your process.

Can I sell my artwork during the tour?

Yes! This is a great opportunity to sell your artwork to people you might not normally reach. However, if you prefer not to sell anything during the tour that's ok too. Please note, it is the artist's responsibility to have an Arvada sales tax or special events license and properly submit your tax filings.

I'd like to join the tour! How do I submit an application?

Please visit our Call For Entry page to see what the application looks like and other details. You can also use the 'request info' tab above to ask us a question.

What does my fee go towards?

The Arvada Art Studio Tour is a non-profit run by volunteers. All fees go towards running the event, with the majority going towards printing and advertising costs (signage and event booklets, local advertising outlets, etc.). We are continually searching for advertisers and grants to keep the costs lower for our artists.

I have some great ideas for improving the tour. Who can I talk to?

We love your enthusiasm and we'd love to talk with you! We are also open to artists getting more involved in the planning process of the tour. Please contact us at arvadaartstudiotour@gmail.com and a board member will get back to you as soon as possible.

General questions - please contact arvadaartstudiotour@gmail.com.