City-Wide Open Studios is a week-long event dedicated to the community of working artists in St. Louis. Free and open to the public, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore these creative spaces and enjoy one of the most exciting aspects of contemporary art—the chance to discuss art with the artists themselves.

During Open Studios weekend artists open their studios to the public. Guests are invited to tour the various spaces, for free, all weekend and find out what kind of creative invention happens behind closed doors. There is not a fee for artists to participate and no reservations are required for the guests to visit these private studios.

To help bring visitors to the studios, the Contemporary provides publicity materials, signage, an official map, and press coverage. The Contemporary designates which day of the weekend the studios will be open. Artists are required to be in their studios the entire period assigned to them.

Open Studios takes place annually in July. The call to artists is announced in June.

City-Wide Open Studios 2009 was presented by Charter Communications. Additional support is generously provided by Schlafly Beer, River City Professionals, ALIVE Magazine, FrontDoor STL LLC, Grand Center, Inc., KDHX 88.1, The Royale, and Trek Bicycle Store of St. Louis.