Almost Real Things Opens 2026 Austin Studio Tour Applications
Almost Real Things, an Austin-based nonprofit, has launched an open call for the 2026 Austin Studio Tour, set for two weekends in mid-November. The tour is open to artists, collectives, galleries, shops, cafés, restaurants, and other venues. In 2025, the tour featured 723 participants across 317 locations, including backyards, driveways, garages, and commercial spaces like Canopy, a 64-studio building formerly housing Big Medium, which ran the tour from 2007 to 2024. Almost Real Things, a magazine publisher and events producer, took over management in 2025. A printed guidebook with artist profiles and a map will be published. Application fees are $200 for individual artists and groups, with a 50% discount for students; hosts pay $300. Fees are refundable if not approved. Eligible areas include Greater Austin, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, and Sunset Valley. Artists must be 18 or older; younger artists may apply through a guardian. Review begins July 13, with responses within seven business days. The deadline is August 3 at 11:59 p.m. CDT, with a late deadline August 10 for an additional $50. The tour runs November 14–15 and 21–22.
Key facts
- Almost Real Things announced open call for 2026 Austin Studio Tour
- Tour scheduled for two weekends in mid-November 2026
- Open to artists, collectives, galleries, shops, cafés, restaurants, and venues
- 2025 tour had 723 participants in 317 locations
- Venues included backyards, driveways, garages, home studios, and Canopy
- Canopy is a 64-studio building that formerly housed Big Medium
- Big Medium ran the tour from 2007 to 2024
- Almost Real Things is an Austin-based magazine publisher and events producer
- Tour publishes a printed guidebook with artist profiles and map
- Application fee: $200 for individual artists/groups, $300 for hosts
- 50% discount for student artists
- Fees refundable if application not approved
- Eligible area: Greater Austin, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley
- Artists must be 18 or older; younger artists may apply through parent/guardian
- Application review begins July 13, response within 7 business days
- Deadline: August 3 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
- Late deadline: August 10 at 11:59 p.m. CDT with $50 extra fee
- Tour dates: November 14-15 and 21-22, 2026
Entities
Institutions
- Almost Real Things
- Big Medium
- Canopy
- Glasstire
- Austin Studio Tour
Locations
- Austin
- Greater Austin
- West Lake Hills
- Rollingwood
- Sunset Valley