New Dorset Artist Open Studios puts affordability, promotion, and artists at the heart of its model
Dorset is getting a new county-wide arts event next summer – and its organisers say it has been built by listening to what artists actually want. Dorset Artist Open Studios (DAOS) will take place from 28 August to 5 September 2027, bringing together artists and makers from across Dorset for a nine-day celebration of creativity.
The event will give the public the opportunity to visit individual studios, home workshops, shared creative spaces and group venues, meeting artists and seeing where and how their work is made. But the organisers say the most important feature of DAOS is what happens behind the scenes.
The event has been designed around feedback from artists who wanted an affordable summer open studios event with strong county-wide marketing and promotion, but without losing the freedom to choose how they participate. Artists will be able to showcase their work individually or collaborate with other artists and makers to create group venues.
The event will be organised on a not-for-profit basis, with all income generated through participation being reinvested into delivering and promoting the event.
“This isn’t an event that has been designed first and then asked artists to fit into it,” said an event spokesperson. “We started by listening to artists. “They told us what they needed – affordability, exposure, good promotion and flexibility – and those principles are at the heart of DAOS.”
For visitors, the result will be a county-wide trail through Dorset’s creative community. Over nine days, visitors will be able to discover artists working in disciplines including painting, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, woodworking, and sculpture. Many will demonstrate their processes, talk about their work and offer original pieces for sale directly from their studios.
Rather than following a single exhibition route, visitors can create their own itinerary and discover the creative spaces that interest them.
The event is being developed and delivered by a volunteer team, with the intention of creating a sustainable annual platform for Dorset artists.
Dorset artists and makers can now register until 30 November 2026.
Visitor information will be published on the DAOS website from 27 February 2027, with a printed brochure available from 27 July 2027.
