Boise Open Studios Cooperative Organization
About Boise Open Studios Cooperative Organization
If you want to see how art actually gets made, BOSCO gives you the door in. Through its annual Open Studios Tour, visitors step inside working studios across the Treasure Valley, meet artists, and see original work up close. The collective also keeps that access going year-round with workshops, mentorships, internships, and collaborative exhibitions that connect artists with the broader community.
BOSCO’s big idea is simple and unusual in the best way, it invites people into working studios instead of keeping art at a distance. Then it stays useful to artists through education, mentorship, and public programs that reach into music, dance, history, and community life.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Open Studios Tour
An annual two-weekend tour in October that invites the public into working artist studios across the Treasure Valley.
Educational workshops and classes
Business-building classes, workshops, lectures, and other educational events that support artists and the public.
Artist mentorships
Mentorships that pair experienced BOSCO members with emerging and aspiring artists through partnerships such as the Catalyst Arts Collaborative.
Student internships
An educational internship program that pairs students with working artist mentors.
Exhibitions and collaborative events
Pop-up exhibitions, gallery shows, and public art projects created with local businesses, cultural institutions, and community organizations.
Juried membership
A juried membership for Treasure Valley artists with participating and supporting tiers and year-round access to BOSCO activities.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To foster greater understanding of the creative process between artists and the public. BOSCO strengthens understanding of the creative process by connecting artists with the broader community, nurturing meaningful dialogue and shared inspiration through artistic expression.
Who they serve
Treasure Valley visual artists, students, art lovers, collectors, families, and the broader public interested in the creative process.
Their impact
- The collective includes over 125 Treasure Valley artists.
- The Open Studios Tour brings thousands of visitors each year.
How your donation helps
- Essential marketing and paid services
- Behind-the-scenes efforts
- Workshops, lessons, and educational events for all ages
- The annual Open Studios Tour
- Internships for university students
- Support for artists to create public art and community programs
Our story
BOSCO started in 2008, when thirteen artists wanted to open their studios for one weekend and welcome the community inside to see the creative process firsthand. What began as a small invitation grew into a member collective with more than 125 artists and a year-round schedule of educational and collaborative events.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
I create assemblage artwork with found objects, natural materials, vintage oddities, unrecyclable plastic, and most passionately, objects discarded on beaches, in rivers, parking lots, and roadside streets and highways.
Events
Boise Open Studios Tour
annualThe signature annual tour invites the public into the studios of 125 local artists over two weekends in October, with east side studios open the first weekend and west side studios open the second weekend.
Best of BOSCO Exhibition and Mosaic Fundraiser
annualAn annual exhibition at Delia Dante Gallery and Fire Fusion Studio that begins the Open Studio Tour season and includes 8x8 mosaic pieces created by BOSCO artists to support the nonprofit mission.
Art as Song, Song as Art
annualA collaborative event with the Idaho Songwriters Association that pairs original visual artwork with music, with exhibitions at the Riverside Hotel and JUMP.
Oinkari Basque Dancers Collaboration
annualA collaboration at the Idaho State Archives that presents works inspired by live performances by the Oinkari Basque Dancers.
The Pursuit of Happiness: America's 250th
dated exhibitionAn exhibition at Initial Point Gallery, Meridian City Hall that explores what it means to pursue happiness in America today.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Boise Open Studios Cooperative Organization has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer at events
- Assist with outreach
- Help behind the scenes
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What happens during the Open Studios Tour?
Visitors spend two weekends in October touring working artist studios across the Treasure Valley, meeting artists, asking questions, watching demonstrations, and seeing or buying original work.
How does BOSCO support artists beyond the tour?
BOSCO offers mentorships, business-building classes, workshops, exhibitions, collaborative events, and student internships that connect learners with working artist mentors.