Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Bern Artist Studio Tour?
The New Bern Artist Studio Tour is an annual event connecting artists directly with the public, by inviting them into artists' studios and creative process. Artists can showcase pieces, sell works, generate commissions, and educate the public on their process. The tour is designed as an opportunity for the artists and the public.
What mediums can be on the tour?
The Tour is open to all mediums, styles, themes, and techniques, so long as they can in some way be safely displayed/showcased to the public. We have painters, but also woodworkers, weavers, ceramics, welders, and more. It may be that you can't show every part of your process, due to safety concerns (i.e., a welder who doesn't have spare helmets for people to use), but we encourage you to be creative in ways to show your work and process.
Do I have to have my own separate studio space? Can it be my house?
We understand that many artists have studios in their garage, a spare bedroom, or other area in the home. You can still take part in the tour, and we will send information to artists with suggestions and ideas for preparing this spaces and pathways before the tour. You may also be interested in the options in the next question.
Can I share a space with someone else? Are there spaces available?
Artists may share a space with another artist, but each artist will need to pay the registration fee to have their work included in the marketing, booklet, website, and/or exhibition. We encourage artists to talk with each other about sharing a space, but if you cannot find another artist to host you, please reach out to us, as some artists have expressed interest in hosting others. We also have a limited number of 10'x10' spots in the Harrison Center (311 Middle St).
Do I have to be in downtown?
No, our goal is to highlight all artists of New Bern, and we encourage artists to be wherever they create their works. The Tour also has a raffle and pin program to encourage visitors to go to as many studios as possible.
Okay, I'm in! How does it work and how do I participate?
First, you'll need to register as an artist to be a part of the tour. Click the link below, or the menu the header to go to Artist Registration. The deadline to register is July 31, 2026.
Artist Registration
Once you do the Artist Registration, you'll be emailed a link with a form for you to complete about your studio, mediums, description, and images of your work. This step will need to be done by August 15, 2026, so we can get the book together for printing, and prepare the website and social media. If you can't find the email form, reach out to us and we'll supply it.
We'll get the booklets laid out and printed, and marketing together to start releasing press in the early fall. We'll also be sending out information to artists about studio set up, education resources, and the like during this time frame.
On October 30 and 31st, you'll drop off your piece for the 2026 New Bern Artist Studio Tour Exhibition in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts. This exhibit is a way for us to promote the Studio Tour to the public and generate their interest in seeing your work. It will be up for the Preview Party and ArtWalk. Artist who wish to donate to the raffle can drop that piece off as well during this time.
As an artist, you'll receive one ticket to our Preview Party on November 7. This party is our way to thank our artists and sponsors, generate excitement for the tour, and give both the opportunity to network. You aren't required to come to the Preview Party, but there's snacks and beverages, and allows the artists to see each other works and meet, since they'll be busy on Tour days.
There's also ArtWalk on November 13th, from 5pm-8pm, featuring the New Bern Artist Studio Tour. This monthly event draws crowds of 300 or more each month, and we'll be handing out booklets and information on the Tour, that will be taking place that weekend. This will help locals and visitors know that the tour is taking place and encourage them to come out. We understand many artists may be setting up their studios that night, so you are not required to be there.
The Tour will take place November 14, from 10am-4pm. Please have your studio open and ready to go by 10am. You'll get visitors throughout the day, and we encourage to have works in progress you can show them, finished pieces on display for sale, and perhaps event a slideshow or other education materials. You can sell works directly to the public, accept commissions or classes, and network with the public about your work. There's also an optional day, November 15, from 12pm-3pm. Sunday generally isn't as busy, but you may find people returning to buy work they saw the previous day, or get new visitors who didn't have time to see everything Saturday.
Afterwards, we'll send out a survey to the artists, to find out what you thought about the tour, and how we can improve it for the future.
The New Bern Artist Studio Tour is an annual event connecting artists directly with the public, by inviting them into artists' studios and creative process. Artists can showcase pieces, sell works, generate commissions, and educate the public on their process. The tour is designed as an opportunity for the artists and the public.
What mediums can be on the tour?
The Tour is open to all mediums, styles, themes, and techniques, so long as they can in some way be safely displayed/showcased to the public. We have painters, but also woodworkers, weavers, ceramics, welders, and more. It may be that you can't show every part of your process, due to safety concerns (i.e., a welder who doesn't have spare helmets for people to use), but we encourage you to be creative in ways to show your work and process.
Do I have to have my own separate studio space? Can it be my house?
We understand that many artists have studios in their garage, a spare bedroom, or other area in the home. You can still take part in the tour, and we will send information to artists with suggestions and ideas for preparing this spaces and pathways before the tour. You may also be interested in the options in the next question.
Can I share a space with someone else? Are there spaces available?
Artists may share a space with another artist, but each artist will need to pay the registration fee to have their work included in the marketing, booklet, website, and/or exhibition. We encourage artists to talk with each other about sharing a space, but if you cannot find another artist to host you, please reach out to us, as some artists have expressed interest in hosting others. We also have a limited number of 10'x10' spots in the Harrison Center (311 Middle St).
Do I have to be in downtown?
No, our goal is to highlight all artists of New Bern, and we encourage artists to be wherever they create their works. The Tour also has a raffle and pin program to encourage visitors to go to as many studios as possible.
Okay, I'm in! How does it work and how do I participate?
First, you'll need to register as an artist to be a part of the tour. Click the link below, or the menu the header to go to Artist Registration. The deadline to register is July 31, 2026.
Artist Registration
Once you do the Artist Registration, you'll be emailed a link with a form for you to complete about your studio, mediums, description, and images of your work. This step will need to be done by August 15, 2026, so we can get the book together for printing, and prepare the website and social media. If you can't find the email form, reach out to us and we'll supply it.
We'll get the booklets laid out and printed, and marketing together to start releasing press in the early fall. We'll also be sending out information to artists about studio set up, education resources, and the like during this time frame.
On October 30 and 31st, you'll drop off your piece for the 2026 New Bern Artist Studio Tour Exhibition in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts. This exhibit is a way for us to promote the Studio Tour to the public and generate their interest in seeing your work. It will be up for the Preview Party and ArtWalk. Artist who wish to donate to the raffle can drop that piece off as well during this time.
As an artist, you'll receive one ticket to our Preview Party on November 7. This party is our way to thank our artists and sponsors, generate excitement for the tour, and give both the opportunity to network. You aren't required to come to the Preview Party, but there's snacks and beverages, and allows the artists to see each other works and meet, since they'll be busy on Tour days.
There's also ArtWalk on November 13th, from 5pm-8pm, featuring the New Bern Artist Studio Tour. This monthly event draws crowds of 300 or more each month, and we'll be handing out booklets and information on the Tour, that will be taking place that weekend. This will help locals and visitors know that the tour is taking place and encourage them to come out. We understand many artists may be setting up their studios that night, so you are not required to be there.
The Tour will take place November 14, from 10am-4pm. Please have your studio open and ready to go by 10am. You'll get visitors throughout the day, and we encourage to have works in progress you can show them, finished pieces on display for sale, and perhaps event a slideshow or other education materials. You can sell works directly to the public, accept commissions or classes, and network with the public about your work. There's also an optional day, November 15, from 12pm-3pm. Sunday generally isn't as busy, but you may find people returning to buy work they saw the previous day, or get new visitors who didn't have time to see everything Saturday.
Afterwards, we'll send out a survey to the artists, to find out what you thought about the tour, and how we can improve it for the future.