For nearly 30 years, Newton Open Studios (NOS) has been a cornerstone of Newton’s cultural life, connecting artists, residents, and visitors through meaningful, accessible, and inspiring art experiences. Each year, NOS transforms homes, studios, civic buildings, and shared spaces into a citywide celebration of creative practice, dialogue, and discovery.

Held annually in early Spring, Newton Open Studios invites the public to engage directly with artists and their work in an open, welcoming environment. While most exhibitions take place indoors due to seasonal temperatures, select locations may feature outdoor sculpture and site-specific installations, offering moments of surprise and interaction within the urban landscape.

The Experience

This year, visitors can explore work by approximately 110 artists exhibiting across homes, private studios, and group locations throughout Newton, including major civic venues such as public school and art centers. Each site hosts between one and thirty artists, creating intimate viewing experiences alongside larger, dynamic group presentations.

To enhance the visitor experience, NOS provides an interactive online printable map that allows guests to preview artists, explore their websites, and plan personalized routes. Given Newton’s geography and the variety of locations, visitors are encouraged to travel by bicycle, car, or carpool. Throughout the weekend, NOS’s signature red balloons and signage guide visitors from site to site.

Visitors are also encouraged to enjoy Newton’s vibrant dining scene during their journey, making Newton Open Studios not only an arts destination, but a full cultural experience supporting local businesses and community life.

Why Art Matters

Art plays a vital role in shaping vibrant, connected communities. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and dialogue, offering ways to understand ourselves and one another beyond words. Newton Open Studios celebrates art as a living practice: one that reflects diverse voices, lived experiences, and evolving perspectives.

By supporting artists and making creative work visible and accessible, NOS strengthens Newton’s cultural identity and affirms the arts as an essential component of civic life, lifelong learning, and collective well-being.

About Newton Open Studios

Newton Open Studios is a nonprofit arts initiative dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between artists and the public. Our mission is realized primarily through an annual, two-day open studios event that enables artists and makers to showcase and sell their work, build professional visibility, and engage directly with audiences.

Beyond the annual event, NOS supports artists by promoting calls for art, exhibitions, and professional opportunities in Newton and the greater Boston area. The organization is funded primarily through artist registration fees, individual donations, and the generous support of local businesses and cultural partners, including funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through Newton’s Local Cultural Council. Spark Newton  serves as NOS’s fiscal agent.

A Brief History

Newton Open Studios traces its roots to 1985, when local artist Renee Rubin envisioned an open studios event as part of Newton’s cultural programming. With the support of Linda Plaut and Judy Anderson from the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, the first NOS launched with 28 artists across 19 sites.

Over the following decades, NOS evolved through collaborations with the New Art Center, Newton Community Pride, and dedicated artist-leaders. Participation steadily grew, from dozens of artists in the late 1980s and 1990s to more than 175 artists across 50–60 sites in peak years.

Recognized by Boston Globe Magazine in 2006 as one of the region’s best open studios events, NOS has become one of the largest and most respected programs of its kind in Greater Boston.

The event has continually adapted to meet community needs, from shifting its dates to early April for greater accessibility, to pivoting to outdoor-only exhibitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. These adaptations reflect NOS’s commitment to resilience, inclusivity, and public engagement.

In 2025, Newton Open Studios proudly celebrates its 29th anniversary, continuing a legacy of artistic excellence, community participation, and cultural enrichment.

Leadership

Claudia Fiks, Director
With more than 20 years of experience in arts administration, Claudia Fiks brings expertise in curatorial programming, project development, community engagement, and fundraising. Her leadership emphasizes professional support for artists and meaningful cultural experiences for the public.

Deb Perugi, Website Manager & Registrar
A graphic designer and artist with over four decades of experience, Deb oversees NOS’s digital presence and artist registration, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and visual cohesion.

Ellen Fisher, Advisor
A curator and practicing artist, Ellen Fisher previously served as Director of NOS and contributes deep experience in exhibition planning, photography, and graphic design.

Support

Newton Open Studios is proudly sponsored by Spark Newton, our fiscal agent. Donations to NOS are tax-deductible and directly support artists, programming, and public access to the arts..