About POS

A little bit of history

Perthshire has many wonderful things, from big trees and an amazing history, to fantastic countryside and many visitors. It also has a wealth of local artists and a supportive community.

Perthshire Open Studios (POS) has been running for over 13 years. Entirely volunteer run, the nine days of the open studios event across Perthshire attracts visitors and residents, supporting economic and cultural growth as well as cultural benefits. In 2021, 143 venues and 198 solo artists participated in POS.

Previous research shows that for every pound spent on POS each year, £15 is spent in Perthshire on art. If this ratio was maintained for the proposed new approach, we could see a £600,000 boost to Perthshire artists through sales, plus the amounts visitors spend on food and accommodation.

In the spring of 2022, a small group came together to try and find a way forward in the current environment. A decision was made to take a pause in activity to review both internal and external challenges facing the organisation and to consult with artists across Perthshire. The research showed us that there had been many changes in recent years as we have more makers, more online selling, more selling opportunities, and more Perthshire-focused art organisations.