2025 New Editions Open Call
Ends on
New Editions Call For Book Art at Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Please read thoroughly before applying!
Application Open Call May 1 - May 31, 2025
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is a visual arts nonprofit organization that supports creative expression through traditional and contemporary book arts, including papermaking, bookbinding, and letterpress printing. MCBA’s philosophy and artistic vision challenges its artist community to think beyond the traditional notion of the “book.” Today, books can be bound and unbound, fabricated into sculptures, interpreted as metaphor, experienced as installation or performance, and interacted with virtually. What unites this varied work is a focus on the interdisciplinary expression of narrative.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) seeks submissions for the upcoming event, New Editions, a partnership between MCBA's Shop and Gallery.
New Editions is a biannual celebration featuring new artist's books, photo books, chapbooks, zines, broadsides, and other hand printed work created by local and international artists. Works will be on display and on sale in MCBA’s Main Gallery from October 11th - October 27th 2025, with the preview party on October 10th from 6-9 pm. New Editions offers something for everyone, from seasoned collectors to new enthusiasts, with items listed at a variety of price points.
About the Event:
Friday, October 10th, 6PM-9PM: New Editions Ticketed Preview Party featuring selected artists' works and catered Book Arts celebration
Saturday, October 11th - Sunday, October 26th New Editions sale free and open to the public!
Application Call, Selection, and Acceptance Process
Application Open Call open from May 1 - May 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST
Application Requirements
- Artwork submitted must have been created between May 2023 and May 2025.
- Artists can submit 1-5 pieces for consideration, and each piece must be a separate application. Ex. if you are submitting 3 pieces for consideration you must submit a total of 3 applications. Do not submit more than 5 applications/ pieces.
- Artwork images (up to 5 images), all corresponding didactic information, and optional artist statement
- Artists must include the following didactic information for each piece: title of artwork, date of creation, medium, retail price (artists receive 60% of retail price).
Applications are submitted through the online platform Submittable. To begin, create a new account. Once you have created an account, you will be able to fill out the application form and upload your pdf with all corresponding information.
You can return to the application site as many times as you like until you complete your submission. Once you hit submit, you will no longer be able to log in and make any changes to your submission.
Jury Process
- The jury will be composed of a panel of MCBA Staff.
- MCBA reserves the right to refuse any application submissions.
- Artists will be notified about accepted submissions and sent the corresponding forms by June 28th, 2025.
Timeline for Accepted Work
- Acceptance forms must be completed by artist by July 12th, 2025
- Accepted artwork must be shipped and postmarked to MCBA no later than Saturday, July 26th
- Accepted artwork must arrive at MCBA no later than Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Accepted Artwork Stipulations
- Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping work to MCBA.
- All work must be ready to sell. All prints must arrive sleeved with a backing board. All zines, artist's books, and chapbooks retailing for under $30 should also be in plastic sleeves, with a display copy available to be looked through.
- Artists agree to sell work at MCBA under consignment terms of 60/40, with the artist retaining 60% of the purchase price.
- Artwork will remain on consignment in the MCBA Shop for at least 6 months after the New Editions event.
- After April 2026, unsold work will be returned to the artist. MCBA will pay for return shipping.
- If more than one edition is available, artists may be asked to send multiple copies upon acceptance.
All submissions to the Shop (wholesale and consignment) are reviewed using the linked criteria.
If you have any questions about the submission process, e-mail exhibitions@mnbookarts.org.
Best of luck!