Frequently Asked Questions

For its eighteenth year, Big Medium has combined the East and West Austin Studio Tours into one city-wide celebration of art in Austin. The Austin Studio Tour 2020 continues Big Medium’s mission of fostering connections between artists all over Austin and presents the public with creative ways to safely experience art through virtual exhibitions & programs alongside self-guided visits to art outdoors.

Yes! Some registration is required to access links to attend virtual events.

Nope. With health and safety in mind, we can best support all participants by hitting pause on this element of the program this year. Some participants will present artworks outdoors in front of galleries, studios, homes, or in garages, but artists will not interact with the public in person this year. You can get-to-know artists online by following them on social media, joining a program, or browsing the Virtual Group Exhibition.

Visit the expanded AustinStudioTour.org platform to see artist profiles, images of artworks, virtual studio visits, demonstrations, artists talks, and download a self-guided tour map of outdoor installations and public art around the city that can be experienced safely.

Yes, in a new way. Because we’ve shifted artist profiles and guides online, this year’s catalog is designed more like a coffee table book and less like a guiding publication. That means more art and less text!

This book will only be distributed to Artists & Participants, Members, and Supporting Partners. We’re excited to produce this special year-round reference to Austin’s vibrant art community. There is still time to join as a Member and pick-up the catalog! The general public can best support Austin artists this year by purchasing artworks online or by contacting artists directly.

The new Austin Studio Tour platform (austinstudiotour.org) will include profiles of all participating Artists & Art Spaces plus a section featuring curated interactive demonstrations, virtual studio visits, and a map to outdoor public art. Participating Artists profiles will have short bios, images of available art to purchase, along with links to their social media, websites, and to any live streaming or pre-recorded content related to their presentation this year.

• See the online 2020 Austin Studio Tour Group Exhibition curated by Big Medium and attend a Virtual Program to interact with Artists.
• Visit austionstudiotour.org to read Artist profiles and see available artworks for purchase.
• Big Medium’s Creative Standard Artist Membership Program recently launched an online platform called the Artist Registry. The Artist Registry is a year-round platform to showcase Austin artists that live and/or work within 30 miles of the Capitol & the surrounding areas. 2020 Austin Studio Tour Artists that are also Creative Standard members will be included in the Registry in addition to the Studio Tour platform. This new online resource will give access to profiles on Austin Artists anytime, to anyone in the world, not just during the annual Studio Tour.
• The Austin Studio Tour will feature a newly designed coffee table-style art book that will be available for curve side pick up to all new and existing Members.

Big Medium will continue its annual Studio Tour Group Exhibition but will present the show virtually this year via the website. Audiences can still support Austin Artists this year by viewing and purchasing art on Big Medium’s platform.