MCBA offers a broad range of programs and services for diverse artists and adult learners interested in exploring the book-as-art as well as an environment that encourages conversation, collaboration, and discovery.

MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Mentorship
In 2006, MCBA established a new mentorship program through funding from the Jerome Foundation. This program, launched in the fall of 2006, is designed to broaden MCBA’s audience to include artists from media other than book arts.

MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Fellowship
Also funded by the Jerome Foundation, MCBA’s Book Arts Fellowship provides grants for emerging book artists. As with the Book Arts Mentorship, the program culminates with an exhibition in MCBA’s gallery.

Artists-in-Residence
MCBA’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program nurtures selected artists by providing resources for producing and promoting their work. In turn, artists provide MCBA with technical and educational assistance in the artists’ fields of expertise. Resident artists work for two weeks to four months in one of three studio areas: bookbinding, papermaking or printing.

Equipment/Studio Rentals
MCBA offers access to equipment and studios for artists interested in exploring the book arts genre, including two papermaking studios, one printing studio, and a bindery workshop. Each of the three areas contains an extensive array of equipment and tools that would be cost-prohibitive for many artists to purchase on their own.

Artist Cooperative
For greater studio access, artists may apply for membership in an artist cooperative; members pay monthly rental fees, share technical expertise, and collaborate on book arts projects.

MCBA On The Road
MCBA is dedicated to providing visitors of all ages with opportunities for learning, creativity and self-expression. MCBA On The Road extends our educational reach to greater Minnesota through partnerships with other art centers, offering hands-on workshops, exhibitions and free open house events that introduce the book arts to new participants. The mission of each partner organization aligns with MCBA in their intention to foster appreciation for the arts and make them accessible to all.

We would like to thank all of our partners in making the inaugural year of MCBA On the Road a great success. In 2012 MCBA worked with three partner organizations: Owatonna Arts Center in Owatonna, MN; MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, MN; and Rochester Art Center in Rochester, MN; to offer book arts instruction to the communities that each of these three centers serve. Each center also hosted an open house offering a variety of book art activities including paper marbling, simple book binding and printmaking, designed to engage all ages.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.