About Artweeks
Korky Paul workshop
The first Oxfordshire Artweeks took place in 1982. The organisation had been founded a year earlier by a group of professional Oxford-based artists who, having seen the model in the United States, decided that a festival of ‘open studios’ could work well over here. The aim was to establish a forum whereby the public could be invited to enjoy visual art away from the formality of a gallery setting, in a relaxed environment and with direct access to the artists.
This formula proved to be so successful that it has been replicated throughout the United Kingdom. In Oxfordshire, we now have around 400 sites each year, as well as special exhibitions and events, tours, talks, workshops and demonstrations to appeal to all ages. Artweeks is the largest visual arts festival in the county.
Everyone is welcome to join in: entry for participants is non-selective and entry for visitors is free. Detailed information about the festival, including dates, times and location can be accessed from this website or from our free colour guide, available in April each year from Oxfordshire libraries and Tourist Information Centres.
Workshop at Broad Canvas, Oxford
If you are an artist interested in participating in next year’s festival, please look at our ‘How to Exhibit’ page on this website.
How Artweeks operates
The ‘Oxfordshire Visual Arts Festival’ (‘Artweeks’) is a non profit-making company, limited by guarantee and owned by its members.
Artweeks is run by a Board of volunteers, comprising artists and other professionals who generously give their time and expertise, free of charge. There is one part-time director and one part-time office administrator. In addition, there is a team of 16 volunteer area co-ordinators, who provide a local focus for promotional activity and advice for our members.
Funding for Artweeks is managed from the artists’ fees, together with the support of a number of sponsors and public bodies (please see the ‘Sponsors’ page).
The Artweeks’ Office handles all enquiries and is open part-time. Please see our Contact details and opening hours
The Artweeks’ Board
Please see details of the Board members’ profiles