Opportunity Details
Registration opens: TBD
Registration closes: TBD
Informational webinar: July 15, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Submission link: More details to come.
Eligibility: 1) Registered OST Artist is at least 18 years old, 2) Studio space or gallery is located within the Greater Tucson area, 3) Studio space or gallery is accessible and safe for public visits.
Overview
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona’s 2026 Open Studio Tours provides participating OST Artists with the opportunity to benefit from an annual, city-wide event where artists, galleries, and collectives across the Greater Tucson area open their doors to the public. As the largest self-guided showcase of artist studios and creative workspaces in the region, the three-day tour highlights our community’s vibrant creativity and fosters deeper connections between artists, art enthusiasts, and the general public who visit their studios.
Open Studio Tours promotes local talent and supports the growth of our creative economy by eliminating barriers to engagement between artists and potential buyers. Through OST, visitors are invited to see where art is created and learn about varied artistic processes. This unique experience provides artists with the opportunity to showcase and sell artwork directly to clients, without incurring application fees or commissions.
2026 Open Studio Tours registration is open to artists and creative spaces of various disciplines within the Greater Tucson area, including but not limited to visual artists, ceramists, jewelers, designers, musicians, writers, poets, spoken word artists, dancers, actors, filmmakers, galleries, and collectives.
Service region
Open Studio Tours is open to individual artists, galleries, and collectives throughout the Greater Tucson area who wish to open their creative spaces to the public.
Eligibility
Open to artists, galleries, and collectives that meet all the following criteria:
Eligibility 1. Registered OST Artist is at least 18 years old.
Eligibility 2. Studio space or gallery is located within the Greater Tucson area.
Eligibility 3. Studio space or gallery is accessible and safe for public visits.
Benefits
Open Studio Tours provides artists with the opportunity to showcase and sell artwork directly to clients, without incurring application or commission fees. Additional program benefits include:
- OST Artist profile will be featured on the Arts Foundation website.
- OST Artist profile and studio will be searchable on the OST App hosted on Toureka!. Visitors will be able to search by artist, medium, or location, build personalized itineraries, mark favorites, and use an interactive map. The OST app features tags for restrooms, accessibility, and more. A QR code and link will be shared in advance for easy access.
- Professional City-wide event promotion in digital and print media
- Free access to OST Yard signs and various promotional materials
- Free networking opportunities with artists and the public
- Professional OST Artist press kit
How to register
Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this program prior to submitting your registration. Please note: Registration in the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona Arts Directory does not count as registration for Open Studio Tours (OST). These are two separate systems. To participate as an OST artist, you must complete the registration steps outlined below, via Submittable.
- Visit the 2026 Open Studio Tours web page to access guidelines and the registration link.
- Review the complete guidelines, registration questions, and FAQs.
- Prepare responses that include contact information, artist portrait, artist bio, creative work samples, studio photos, studio tour date, and available times. See Submission Material Guidelines for details.
- Go to the online registration form
- Refer to the correct listing for 2026 Open Studio Tours Registration.
- Create a Submittable account. If there is a pre-existing account, log in.
- Complete the online registration form.
- Review all responses for accuracy. Click “Submit Form” to complete the registration process.
- Submit the completed registration by the deadline. No late registration forms will be accepted after the published deadline for this program.
- Once the registration form is successfully submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with the Submittable account.
Registration materials
Upload the following materials through the online registration form:
- Artist Bio – Provide a brief biography introducing yourself as an artist. Share details about your background, artistic journey, and any significant accomplishments or influences (200 word limit).
- Artist Portrait – Upload a high-quality photo. Must not exceed 2 MB.
- Creative Work Samples – Upload 4 work samples corresponding to the work you will be displaying. Each photo must not exceed 2 MB.
- Studio Interior Photo – Upload one high-quality photo of the interior of your studio. Photo must not exceed 2 MB.
- Studio Exterior Photo – Upload a high-quality photo of the exterior to help visitors locate your studio more easily. Photo must not exceed 2 MB.
- Description of your event – Briefly describe the type of experience visitors can expect. Will there be live demonstrations, interactive displays, exhibited artwork, performances, video showcases, live music, etc.? This should set expectations and entice visitors to attend your studio.
- Purchase Details – Provide instructions on how visitors can purchase your artwork or tickets for upcoming events.
- Studio Tour Date and Time – Indicate your availability during the tour to ensure visitors know when they can visit your studio.
Assistance
Assistance 1. Informational Webinar – The Arts Foundation Team will host and record an online information session. Refer to ‘Guidelines At-a-Glance’ >Resources for link.
Assistance 2. Bilingual Consultations – The Arts Foundation Team will provide technical assistance sessions in English and Spanish on Zoom, over the phone, or via email. Refer to Guidelines ‘At-a-Glance’ section>Resources for link.
Assistance 3. FAQ – Refer to Frequently Asked Questions in Appendix A for supplementary information.
Assistance 4. Other Questions? – If you have questions about the registration process or content of your registration, please contact David Gaxiola, Grants and Programs Project Manager, at david@artsfoundtucson.org or (520) 624-0595 (ext. 6).
Assistance 5. Submittable Technical Questions – If you encounter any technical issues with the online registration platform, please contact the Submittable team at support@Submittable.com or (855) 467-8264.
Assistance 6. Studio Tour Changes or Cancellations – If you need to report any last-minute changes or cancellations to your Open Studio Tour plans, please notify David Gaxiola, Grants and Programs Project Manager, at david@artsfoundtucson.org or (520) 624-0595 (ext. 6) immediately so your information can be updated accordingly.