Studio Tour Checklist for Artists

Tour Artists:

These tasks and to-dos are suggestions for you, organized in chronological order so that you can tackle things in a timely manner. Remember, you don’t have to do all of the things on this list! Pick the ones that fit you best and go from there. Put these items in your planner for the next month and watch the magic happen!

3 – 4 Weeks Before the Tour (or Sooner)

Create new work for the Tour!
Regularly post on social media channels to promote the Tour (you can share other artists, post about yourself, etc)
Email your mailing list to let them know about the event.
Share sneak peeks of your work and your space.
Communicate about special offerings or deals (if applicable).
Share what they can expect at your studio (how are you going to draw them to your location?).
Create, print and mail postcards as additional advertising separate from what the Tour organizers have undertaken.
Check business card inventory, order more if needed.

Two Weeks Before the Tour

Yard signs will be available. Make sure you are well identified.
Prepare your work to be displayed (wires, frames, etc).
It is strongly suggested that you price everything. Some visitors will not ask you the price if it’s not visible.
If possible have a helper to assist you during the Tour.
Make sure you have the QR code for Visitor Feedback printed out so that you can hand then out to absolutely everyone that attends your studio! This will help us for subsequent years of the Tour.
Keep engaged on social media and emails. Remind people of the Tour and share with them what you are excited about and what they can expect to see.

One Week Before the Tour

Have your payment system in place (a cash float, an electronic payment system or etransfers)
Have packing and wrapping materials on hand for those all-important sales! (paper, bubble wrap, plastic bags, tape, etc)
Create a way to collect visitor information (QR code to your mailing list sign up, a guest book, a clip board and sign-up sheet, etc)
Having food or drinks available is NOT required.
Create signage for your space to help visitors navigate to all the areas that you want them to see if the area is beyond your studio entrance.
Have your own printed materials that helps promote you as an artist or your studio, this includes your artist statement/bio and business cards.
Remind people of the Tour on social media and your mailing list. Send them some progress photos of your space and your work.
Send out texts to friends and family who might like to know about your participation in the Tour.

Day Before the Tour

Put out yard and direction signs the evening before the first day of the Tour or early in the morning of the first day.
When setting up for the Tour, make sure that all outside and inside walking obstructions are either marked or removed.
Prepare your demo and your materials if you are going to do a demo of your art.
Confirm with your helpers, if you are having some.
Clean the bathroom.
Put up labels for the work.
Put up signage around your studio location to guide visitors.
Send out a final reminder about the Tour via social media and email. Keep this email very simple and straightforward.

During the Tour

Smile and welcome people when they come.
Put a name tag on, even if it’s just a white label that you write on.
Straighten work as needed.
Get your packing station organized and ready to go.
Put postcards and business cards out for folks to take.
Make sure that each visitors get a copy of the Visitor Feedback QR code! (very important)
Encourage people to sign up for your “invitation list”.
As people are viewing your work, ask them questions:  Have you seen my work before?

- What brings you to the studio today?
- Which piece is your favorite?
- What is it about “this piece” that draws you in?
- Where can you see this hanging in your space?
- Do you have questions about my process?
- Are you from the Ottawa Valley or out of town?
- What other studios are you visiting today?
- Do you need some ideas of where to go next?