Take part in Site festival 2027
annual arts festival in stroud
Site Festival is an annual programme of artist-led projects from SVA; events, exhibitions, talks and directory of Open Studios in the Stroud district; established in 1997.
We set up Site Festival Open Studios in 1997 when we first moved into John Street Studios. For us it was really important that SVA was not just about the building itself.
It's also about the community of artists who lived out in the Five Valleys, working away in their spare rooms, sheds and kitchen worktops, as well as the more formal studio spaces.
Nik Ramage at SVA : Fran Cox
open studios 2027
12th & 13th and 19th & 20th June
You’re warmly invited to take part in Site Festival 2027, for our 30th anniversary of opening SVA and hosting Open Studios in Stroud.
Our programme is open to anyone with an art practice in the Stroud District, or anyone who would like to base themselves here for Site Festival. We find that visitors make specific visits to Stroud for our Open Studios weekends, keep the directories for years, and contact artists, businesses and collaborations long after the festival.
Through Open Studios and our wider festival programme, Site Festival offers opportunities to collaborate and connect with other artists, galleries, groups and organisations.
We print and distribute around 13,000 copies of our annual directory across the South West and beyond, offering a wealth of publicity to local artists.
We’ve worked with thousands of artists since 1997, and have captured some moments in Site Festival films.
Open Studios 2024 : Charlotte Aiken photographed by Nettie Atkisson
Take part in site festival :
Register as an Open Studios artist to take part in Open Studios
Have a Listing and Feature in the directory, for an exhibition/event
Have a Display Advert
Apply for a Young Artist Bursary
Open Studios 2026 : Jessie James photographed by Fran Cox
Artists say
“I enjoy having it as a deadline, and meeting people. I don’t have my work online so it’s nice to spread the word by meeting people directly. “
“Opening my studio forces me out of my comfort zone, stops me being a hermit.”
“I don’t like having to sweep the floors but it’s good for me, like a medicine.”
Visitors say
“It’s a really important date in my calendar and it’s the best thing that happens in Stroud. I stock up on gifts, and I love poking around people’s houses and studios. You never know what you’re going to find.”
“I Love the routes and getting on my bike in my best frock.”
Register for Open studios
Nik Ramage exhibition : Fran Cox