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 Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

, MCBA is a nationally recognized leader 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.

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 This is a list of notable warehouse districts. A warehouse district or warehouse row is an area found in many urban setting known for being the current or former location of numerous warehouses. Logistically, warehouses are often located in indust ...

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 The Loft Literary Center is a non-profit literary organization located in Minneapolis, Minnesota incorporated in 1975. The Loft is a large and comprehensive independent literary center, and offers a variety of writing classes, conferences, grants ...

and

Milkweed Editions Milkweed Editions is an independent nonprofit literary publisher that originated from the ''Milkweed Chronicle'' literary and arts journal established in Minneapolis in 1979. The journal ceased and the business transitioned to publishing. It relea ...

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.

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."Names, Range Make Up Book Award Finalists"
''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', January 27, 2008. 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 includ
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

External links

Minnesota Center for Book Arts
{{Coord, 44.975414, N, 93.254176, W, format=dms, region:US-MN_scale:10000_type:landmark, display=title Arts organizations based in Minneapolis Book arts Bookbinding Papermaking in the United States Printmaking groups and organizations Arts centers in Minnesota Culture of Minneapolis Buildings and structures in Minneapolis Arts organizations established in 1983 1983 establishments in Minnesota