A respected and dedicated champion of the field, Minnesota Center for Book Arts is the largest and most comprehensive center of its kind. We celebrate the book as a dynamic contemporary art form that takes many shapes.
MISSION
Our mission is to ignite artistic practice, inspire learning, and foster diverse creative communities through the book arts.
We do this by creating access to specialized book arts tools, equipment, and knowledge; supporting interdisciplinary artistic development; expanding opportunities for people who have been historically underrepresented in the field; and presenting exhibitions and educational programs that create connections around the art of the book, promote innovation, and advance the future of the field.
VISION
A world in which creative expression through the book arts is accessible to all.
VALUES
Our work is essential to the care of the human spirit. We believe that creativity is a basic human impulse that should be encouraged and recognized in all its forms, and that creative expression is core to a full and free existence. Through embodied, hands-on artmaking in collaboration with community, we cultivate deep connections with ourselves and others. We’re here because we believe in your creative potential.
MCBA engages a continuum of creators, learners, and admirers through high-quality programs that celebrate a diversity of artistic perspectives and voices. We advance the book arts field by inviting innovation, caring for traditions, educating new enthusiasts, inspiring creative expression, honoring artistic excellence, and empowering broad public access to this dynamic art form. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing, and bookbinding to new methods of art-making and communication, MCBA supports the limitless creative development of book arts.
The MCBA Prize is the first honor to recognize and promote excellence in new work from across the expressive spectrum of book art. Established in 2009, this biennial award is meant to represent the diversity of book art and encourage discussion rather than limit recognition to any one aspect of this vital field. Book art, broadly defined, includes work that embodies narrative, instruction, reference, mapping, guides, documentation, and more. It is work that engages the viewer and propels the experience forward through narrative, sequencing, spatial elements, visual or verbal language, temporal, mechanical, aural, typographic, symbolic or material means.
Forms, processes, traditions and approaches are open. Work may include unique book objects, altered books, graphic novels, ‘zines, concrete poetry, conceptual, visual and literary works. Processes may include any printing or printmaking methods such as photo-mechanical, hand-worked, analog/digital, relief printmaking, letterpress, intaglio, and screen-printing, as well as hand-lettering. Works may be in edition or unique. The finished work can depart from a bound book format to engage metaphors of the book in sculpture or installation. Work can be created collaboratively, but ultimately must result from an artist or artists’ vision and active participation.
In each biennial competition, integrity — a unity of form, materials and content that reflects an artist’s vision — will be a determining criteria in the winning works. The primary impetus for the creation of the work must come from the vision of the artist or artistic collaborators. Related works on paper (broadsides, prints, photographic portfolios), journals or diaries, scrapbooks and blank books will not be considered for the award, nor will video or film unless it is integral to an installation that embodies the qualities described above.
The juror is charged with narrowing the submissions to 20-30 semi-finalists and five finalists; of these finalists, one winner is then selected.
Semi-finalists and finalists will ship their work to MCBA in July for a standing exhibition in our Main Gallery from August 17th to October 12th, 2024.
The five finalists will be required to participate in a virtual prize reveal on Wednesday, September 18th at 6 pm CT, where the winner will be revealed.
The four finalists will receive a $500 cash prize and the winner will receive at $2,000 cash prize.
The application cost is $35. An artist may submit more than one application for different book projects, but each application is a separate $35 fee.
Please contact Anika Schneider, MCBA's Director of Exhibitions and Artist Programs, with any questions at aschneider@mnbookarts.org
Artist Collective Membership
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is a nonprofit visual arts center dedicated to igniting artistic practice, inspiring learning, and fostering diverse creative communities through the book arts. MCBA is committed to fostering a creative community of book artists and appreciators. We lead the field by promoting innovation, sustaining traditions, educating new enthusiasts, inspiring creative expression, and honoring artistic excellence.
MCBA provides critical studio access through its Artist Collective, comprised of dedicated artists working in papermaking, paper marbling, letterpress printing, screen printing, bookbinding, and related arts. Artists must have sufficient training to work independently and safely in the studio areas they wish to utilize. Through this program, members have access to clean and well-maintained artist studios, rare equipment, exhibition opportunities, and participation in an eclectic community of fellow artists
· 24-hour access to the MCBA studios and library
· Preferred press access on Open Studio nights
· On-site storage: one shelf and one locker
· The opportunity to show work in the annual Artist Collective exhibition in MCBA’s Main Gallery
· The opportunity to participate in Art-Share sessions with MCBA staff and Artist Collective members
· 70/30 consignment-split on accepted work in The Shop at MCBA
· 50% discount on MCBA workshops (by registering two weeks in advance of a workshop’s start date; Artist Collective members still pay full supply fee)
Artist Collective Monthly Membership Rates
LONG TERM MEMBERSHIP: Require a minimum six month commitment at a rate of $165 per month. Membership dues are to be paid by the fifth day of each month. After the initial six month membership, artists may maintain their membership on a month-to-month basis.
SHORT TERM MEMBERSHIP: Short-term membership requires three to five month commitment at a rate of $195 per month. A limited number of short-term memberships are available based on studio capacity. Members cannot defer during short term membership.
ARTIST COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP FOR BIPOC PARTICIPANTS: MCBA is offering a reduced rate to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) participants to honor equity and increase access and artistic opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the book arts. Both short and long term membership rates are $115 per month for long term (6+ months) and $145 for short term membership (3-5 months).
ARTIST COLLECTIVE FELLOWSHIPS: The Artist Collective Fellowship offers studio space and membership in MCBA’s Artist Collective for one year in exchange for providing support and helping to maintain the studios during MCBA’s Studio Lab. Studio Lab provides artists with regular, low-cost access to our studios and equipment outside of workshops and classes. Selected fellows will work 12-15 hours per month. In exchange, Fellows receive 24/7 studio access, a shelf and a locker, and the opportunity to show work in the Artist Collective exhibition.
COLLEGE STUDENT AND RECENT GRADUATE MEMBERSHIP: To foster the future of the field, MCBA offers a discounted rate on Artist Collective membership for degree-seeking college students and recent graduates of university programs. Membership rate is $115 per month for degree-seeking students and recent graduates for up to five years after graduation date.
MCBA INTERNSHIP DISCOUNT: MCBA interns are offered a monthly rate of $115 on Artist Collective membership for up to one year after completion of internship.
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP PAYMENTS: Artist Collective member dues are owed by the fifth of each month. Late payments will assess a $25.00 fee after the sixth of the month. Artists can pay their monthly membership fee by keeping a credit card on file or by mailing a check each month.
*If artists do not remove their items from storage after their membership is complete, they will be subject to a $50 fine.
Contact MCBA's Executive Director with any questions about membership guidelines, fees, or benefits. Anika Schneider: aschneiderl@mnbookarts.org / 612-215-2528
Minnesota Center for Book Arts invites teaching artists to submit proposals for in-studio workshops that focus on process, connection, and creativity. We're interested in participatory half and full day workshops in book arts and related mediums on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.
Scheduling is ongoing with a deadline for July - August 2024 proposals on April 1, 2024. We look forward to hearing from you!
Questions and ideas can be directed to Anna Bredeson (abredeson@mnbookarts.org) before submitting a proposal for workshops.
We value a culture of equity and inclusion and encourage individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts invites teaching artists to submit proposals for live, virtual workshops that focus on process, connection, and creativity. We're interested in participatory single-evening, and multi-evening workshops in book arts and related mediums.
Scheduling is ongoing with a deadline for July - August 2024 proposals on April 1, 2024 at midnight. We look forward to hearing from you!
Questions and ideas can be directed to Anna Bredeson (abredeson@mnbookarts.org) before submitting a proposal for workshops.
We value a culture of equity and inclusion and encourage individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.