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.
MCAD MFA Launch Programming includes an exciting opportunity to exhibit at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts this summer. You can read more about our Launch Programs here: https://www.mcad-mfa.com/about/opportunities/launch-programming/
WHO: MCAD MFA classes of 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023 are invited to apply.
WHAT/WHERE: A solo exhibition in Minnesota Center for Book Arts' Outlook Gallery. https://www.mnbookarts.org/galleries/ For any questions related to the space, please email the Director of Exhibitions and Artist Programs, Anika Schneider at aschneider@mnbookarts.org.
WHY: A solo exhibition in a unique street facing space is a great way to meet a new arts community and elevate your CV.
WHEN:
- Application opens on Friday, December 6th
- Info session with Anika on Thursday, January 30th at 12:00 pm
- Deadline to submit: Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at 11:59 pm
- Results will be announced: Monday, March 3rd
- Meeting with Anika at MCBA to go over exhibition plan to be scheduled: May 12th - 23rd
- Install 9 am - 5pm: June 10th - 22nd
- Exhibition opens: Monday, June 23rd
- Exhibition closes: September 2025
HOW: A jury composed of three MCBA staff members will select one proposal for a solo exhibition. The selected artist will be provided with a $500 reimbursement for supplies, transportation, etc. All receipts must be saved and submitted to the MCAD MFA Program for reimbursement.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts provides curatorial, administrative, and promotional support to the selected proposal.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS:
-up to 6 images
-image sample list (including title, dimensions, materials, year)
-exhibition proposal and timeline (max 500 words)
-sketch or rendering of proposal
-resume (optional)
-Artist Bio
McKnight Fellowships for Book Artists.
Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1981. The McKnight Artist Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently the foundation contributes about $1.7 million per year to its statewide fellowships. For more information, visit mcknight.org/artistfellowships.
The McKnight Fellowship for Book Artists supports the conviction that the arts cannot flourish or enhance community life without the ideas, energy, and drive of individual artists, and that artists cannot make these contributions without unfettered creative time.
The goal of the McKnight Fellowship for Book Artists program is to identify talented, Minnesota-based book artists who demonstrate sustained experience and achievement and who are at a career stage that is beyond emerging. The fellowship program supports two beyond emerging artists per year by providing significant financial assistance, creating opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals, organizing a panel featuring the fellows and invited critics, and working with the fellows to create an individualized professional development plan.
Application Cycle: December 1, 2024 - February 26, 2025 at 11:59PM CST.
Start your application early and carefully review the McKnight Fellowship for Book Artists' Application Guidelines (there are some changes to work samples submissions this year) for eligibility, program benefits, and application selection process prior to starting your application.
For further information, contact:
Anika Schneider, Director of Exhibitions and Artist Programs aschneider@mnbookarts.org 612-215-2528
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 February 2025 proposals on October 14, 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 February 2025 proposals on October 14, 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.