Cornish Art Festival Resumes After Funding Challenges

A visual arts festival in Cornwall has been revived after a financial deficit earlier this year had cast uncertainty over its 2025 iteration. Established in 1998, Cornwall Open Studios had announced in September that it would not proceed with a 2025 event due to a reduction in grant funding. Nevertheless, a collective of local artists has now brought the festival back, introducing a new logo and website, and planning a brochure for distribution in the spring. Jeremy Sanders, representing Cornwall Open Studios, stated that this marked a “fresh start” for the event, adding that it was “building on more than 20 years of tradition by adding some exciting new features to benefit both artists and visitors”. According to Mr Sanders, the team formulated the updated programme following consultations with artists and creators throughout Cornwall. He explained that the redesigned website enables individuals to locate local artists via an interactive map, and includes a directory where artists can present their work. The event provides an opportunity for the public to visit artists’ studios across the county and observe their creative processes. The 2025 iteration of Cornwall Open Studios is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 1 June, with all participating studios accessible during the long weekends and select studios open on weekdays.