Artists Open Houses
In Brighton, Artists Open Houses is the pioneering open-access arts festival founded in 1982 where hundreds of local artists open their private homes and work studios to the public every May and December.
Grassroots Origins
The concept was created in May 1982 by painter Ned Hoskins in Brighton's Fiveways neighbourhood. Frustrated by the high barriers and commissions of commercial galleries, Hoskins and a small group of neighbours opened their front doors and hung paintings directly in living rooms, hallways, and kitchen garden studios. The initiative ignited a nationwide movement, widely replicated across the UK and internationally.
In Practice
Today, Artists Open Houses (AOH) comprises over 1,500 participating artists exhibiting across 14 geographic trails throughout Brighton, Hove, Rottingdean, and the edge of the South Downs. Visitors navigate mapped trails on foot or bicycle, buying fine art, sculpture, studio ceramics, and textiles directly from creators over tea and homemade cake.
Why It Matters to Newcomers
AOH transforms art collecting into an accessible neighbourhood tradition. For newly relocated professionals, exploring the trails during May weekends offers an unmatched glimpse into Brighton's Victorian domestic architecture—from Hanover terraced houses to grand Hove villas—while building lasting friendships with local artists.
Related Terms
- Fringe City – the open-access performing arts counterpart running across Brighton in May
- Brighton Festival 2026 – the curated international festival operating alongside AOH
- Brighton Museums & Galleries Guide – our overview of visual arts in the city
Sources: Artists Open Houses Official CIC Archive; Ned Hoskins Fiveways Founding Retrospective (1982); Arts Council England Case Studies.