Minnesota Center for Book Arts

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.

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.

Frances Butler was the first visiting lecturer at the Center and "spoke of book arts in terms of re-defining tradition," challenging the center to adopt a more forward-thinking mission.

Programs

Education programs include workshops in book art disciplines for adults, teens, teachers, youth and families; school field trips; and workshops to equip teachers to incorporate book arts into their classroom curricula.

Artistic programs include critically acclaimed exhibitions; artists’ residencies and competitive fellowships; studio and equipment rental; and an Artists Collective. 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.

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'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

References

1. McDowell, Jeanne. "Book Smarts". ''Time'', November 11, 2002.
2. Gregory, Cynthia L.. (April 2004). "Community of the Book: Minnesota Center for Book Arts". U.S. Library of Congress.
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. (Fall 2003). "A Centering, Of Sorts: The Evolving Idea Of Minnesota Center For Book Arts". Journal of Artists Books.
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. [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/10/bookartists "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. [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/25/bookartcollectors "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. [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/01/21_combsm_stamps "Rubber Stamp: Office Tool or Art Object?"]. Minnesota Public Radio, January 22, 2004.
13. Williams, Sarah. [http://www.thefriends.org/mba_book_artist_award.html Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Minnesota Book Awards] {{webarchive. link. (2008-04-02)
14. [http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/books/14455977.html "Names, Range Make Up Book Award Finalists"]. ''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', January 27, 2008.