A North-east arts festival is looking for artists, crafters, photographers, galleries and other creative people to register for this year’s event.

The closing date to register for this year’s North East Open Studios (NEOS) event is April 12.

NEOS is Scotland's biggest open studio event and the organisers hope that with an increased response this year, they can become the largest in Britain.

Running from September 10-18 this year, NEOS has become established as a major draw for North-east tourism and culture, resulting in last year’s festival being awarded the accolade of the top cultural event for 2010.

NEOS chair Emma Pattullo said: “This year’s event promises to showcase the very best in North-east creative talent and we want to ensure that as many artists as possible have a chance to be involved. Artists can register easily online and we're going to hold a registration event so people can ask us questions and talk to other artists who are getting involved.

“Taking part in North East Open Studios is a fantastic opportunity for artists to communicate with their audience, help to develop work and explain their work process, as well as engaging and networking with like-minded people. NEOS also publishes a catalogue each year which serves as a year round directory of artists and galleries involved. Of course, there is the added bonus of sales and even commissioned works!”

North East Open Studios was set up to help artists showcase their work by opening their own studio space to the public and has grown to include traditional galleries and more unusual exhibition spaces. This year’s event will see artists showing work in garages, studios and even school halls.

For more details go to www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk