Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is the largest and most comprehensive independent nonprofit book arts center in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, MCBA is a nationally recognized leader[1] in the celebration and preservation of traditional crafts, including hand papermaking, letterpress printing and hand bookbinding, as well as the use of these traditional techniques by contemporary artists in creating new artists' books and artwork.[2]

History

MCBA was established in 1983. Two years later, it moved to the first floor of the McKesson building, at 24 North Third Street, in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis. In this space, MCBA established educational, artistic, and community programs to introduce book arts to the public and promote appreciation of artists' books, fine-press publications, broadsides and other artworks created using book art techniques.[3]

In 2000, MCBA joined The Loft Literary Center and Milkweed Editions in establishing Open Book, a center for literary and visual arts, in downtown Minneapolis. The building creates a lively destination for a diverse public interested in books, book arts and literary endeavors of all kinds.[4]

In 2004, MCBA served as a partner in the Walker Art Center's "Walker Without Walls" as a satellite location for No Reading Required, an exhibition of artists' books from the Walker's library.[5]

Programs

Education programs include workshops in book art disciplines for adults, teens, teachers, youth and families;[6][7] Book Arts in the Schools custom in-school residencies; and workshops to equip teachers to incorporate book arts into their classroom curricula.

Artistic programs include critically acclaimed exhibitions;[8][9][10][11][12] By Design, a co-op program for teen artists, including education, mentorship and exhibition opportunities;[13] an annual Winter Book publication;[14] artists’ residencies and competitive fellowships; studio and equipment rental; and an artists’ cooperative. MCBA also co-sponsors and administers the Minnesota Book Artist Award, presented each year to a Minnesota book artist in recognition of his or her body of work and contributions to the book arts community.[15][16]

Community programs include participation in numerous public festivals, fairs and events, and Free Family Days at MCBA's studio facilities, designed to provide free art-making opportunities for families and children of all ages. MCBA celebrates Wayzgoose with an annual member and donor appreciation event.

MCBA's facilities also include The Shop at MCBA, which features works for sale on consignment from book artists across the country and around the globe, and the James and Marilynn Alcott Library and Archives.

References
  1. McDowell, Jeanne. "Book Smarts". Time, November 11, 2002.
  2. "Community of the Book: Minnesota Center for Book Arts". U.S. Library of Congress. 1997. Retrieved 2008-03-17. Gregory, Cynthia L. (April 2004). "Book Arts on the Web: An Introduction to Selected Resources". CR&L News. Association of College and Research Libraries. 65 (4). Archived from the original (– Scholar search) on 2008-02-24. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  3. Lewis, Amy. "Made by Hand". Format, January 2000.
  4. Grossman, Mary Ann. "Where Literature Lives: The New Open Book Building". St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 7, 2000.
  5. "No Reading Required: Artists' Books from the Walker Art Center Library Collection on View at Minnesota Center for Book Arts". Walker Art Center, July 30, 2004.
  6. Beckstrom, Maja. "Handmade and Heartfelt". St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 15, 2007.
  7. Winstead, Mary. "Book Makers". Minnesota Parent, June 1999.
  8. Combs, Marianne. "We, Too, Are Book Artists". Minnesota Public Radio, September 11, 2007.
  9. Abbe, Mary. "Black Books". Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 10, 2007.
  10. Combs, Marianne. "Beyond Words: Collecting Books as Art". Minnesota Public Radio, July 25, 2006.
  11. FInch, Liberty. "Books Abound". Twin Cities Pulse, November 30, 2005.
  12. Combs, Marianne. "Rubber Stamp: Office Tool or Art Object?". Minnesota Public Radio, January 22, 2004.
  13. Shah, Allie. "Book Arts Redefined". Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 29, 2006.
  14. Smith, Thomas R. "Bly's Seasoned Poems Ideal for This Year's Winter Book". St. Paul Pioneer-Press, December 8, 1999.
  15. Williams, Sarah. Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Minnesota Book Awards Archived 2008-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  16. "Names, Range Make Up Book Award Finalists". Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 27, 2008.

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