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.
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!
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 Sep - Oct 2025 proposals on June 2. 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 Sep - Oct 2025 proposals on June 2. 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.