OVERVIEW
Minnesota Center for Book Arts now offers two Certificate programs of study, to recognize dedicated adult students who complete significant coursework in the book arts and demonstrate knowledge and proficiency across book arts disciplines. These programs have been long in the making; this launch represents the culmination of almost five years of serious study and community dialogue on MCBA's role in training and supporting the next generation of book artists.
The Core Certificate in Book Arts is designed to recognize the achievements of a student who has attained a broad knowledge in the fundamentals of book arts, as well as a more in-depth understanding in one or more areas or techniques. Students must complete a uniform Core Curriculum, as well as a number of elective courses within defined categories.
After earning the Core Certificate, you may choose to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Book Arts. The Advanced Certificate is designed to recognize and support the work of individuals who choose to seriously pursue advanced-level independent projects in one or more areas of book arts.
One key benefit of pursuing a Certificate program is eligibility for a new Early Registration discount for workshops and classes. Upon earning a Certificate, students will qualify for a number of additional new benefits, ranging from enhanced studio access to teaching and exhibition opportunities.
Credit hours and categories for current class and workshop offerings are listed on the online Adult Workshops schedule. Teacher Workshops are also eligible for credit toward the Certificate.
Coursework toward these certificates must be completed over the span of no more than five years. New enrollees can receive up to 25 hours of retroactive credit for classes taken no more than five years prior to the date of their certificate application. See the sidebar on the left for assistance in determining retroactive credit hours and categories for workshops and classes taken in prior years.
If you have questions about the Certificate programs which this webpage and the accompanying forms fo not address, please email certificate@mnbookarts.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Once a student has completed 25 hours of classes at MCBA, s/he must register for the certificate with MCBA's Artist and Adult Programs Director using the Certificate Enrollment Form (download from Forms section below). Upon completing registration, the student will be eligible for Early-Bird Registration discounts for classes toward her/his certificate (one key benefit of pursuing the certificate).
Students will be expected to track their own progress toward their certificates, using the Core Certificate Tracking Form and/or the Advanced Certificate Tracking Form (download from Forms section below). These certificates ask students to log the classes they take in fulfillment of requirements, and to obtain teacher signatures confirming their successful completion of those classes. From January to December 2011, students may submit their Tracking Forms to the Artist and Adult Programs Director to obtain a signature for classes taken up to 8 years before the creation of the Certificate Program.
Once a student has completed the required class hours for the MCBA Certificate, s/he must submit her/his Certificate Tracking Form to the Artist and Adult Programs Director. Certificates will be awarded once a year, in the spring. Students will receive written approval on the completion of their certificates no more than a month after the submission of their paperwork.
BENEFITS OF ENROLLMENT
MCBA certificates denote recognition of proficiency in core and/or advanced book arts practices, and entitle students to the following benefits:
- Certificate-holders and students enrolled in the certificate program will receive early-bird registration discounts (in addition to member discounts, if they are members) for any class for which they register at least a month in advance
- Certificate-holders will be eligible to participate in MCBA Community Shows in the gallery spaces within the Open Book Building
- Certificate-holders will be featured, with links to their websites if applicable, on MCBA's website
- Certificate-holders may also be eligible for teaching opportunities and/or referrals from MCBA
- Certificate-holders will have free access to cutting equipment in MCBA's bindery when that equipment is not being used by a class or MCBA program
CURRICULUM: MCBA CORE CERTIFICATE IN BOOK ARTS
This certificate is designed to recognize the achievements of a student who has attained a broad knowledge in the fundamentals of book arts, as well as a more in-depth understanding of one or more areas or techniques. To complete this certificate, a student must complete at least 140 hours of classes in three categories: A (Introductory classes and Core Curriculum), B (Intermediate-level classes), and D (Electives).
Category A Classes
These classes, which include a core curriculum that acquaints students with the fundamental tools and techniques of book arts, are geared to the beginning-level student. Any student pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 60 hours of Category A Classes, including at least one class each in design, papermaking, letterpress printing, and bookbinding.
Core Curriculum (required)
- Letterpress I
- Introduction to Binding
- Introduction to Papermaking (Western or Asian style)
- Introduction to Design (offered with varying focus)
Additional Category A Classes
- Introduction to Screenprinting
- Introduction to Marbling
- Beginning Book Repair
- Boxmaking Made Easy
- Introduction to Relief Printing
Category B Classes
These classes are geared toward deepening knowledge of the processes and materials introduced in Category A Classes. Enrollment in these classes generally carries a prerequisite (usually a Category A class in the same discipline). Any student pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 40 hours of Category B Classes. In some cases (such as Letterpress II), it may be permissible to repeat a class for credit toward the certificate.
Sample Category B Classes
- Letterpress II
- Platen Press
- Printing with Polymer Plates
- Intermediate Bookbinding
- Intermediate Book Repair
- Nonadhesive Bindings
- Boxmaking Made Hard
- Beyond Boxmaking
Category D Classes
These classes generally deal with a specific technique, such as a single binding or printing process. Electives are generally open to students at all levels of expertise. Any student pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 40 hours of Category D Classes.
Sample Category D Classes (selected from Fall 2010 course catalog)
- Journal Practice: Collage and Sketching
- Making a Good (Or Golden!) Impression
- Paper As Narrative
- Experiments in Pressure Printing
- Brush, Ink, Breath: Sumi-E As Meditation
- Presentation Portfolios
- Ephemera Revisited: Collage Cards
- Concertina Book Structures
CURRICULUM: MCBA ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN BOOK ARTS
This certificate is designed to recognize and support the work of individuals who choose to seriously pursue advanced-level independent projects in one or more areas of book arts. To be a candidate for the MCBA Advanced Certificate in Book Arts, a student must first obtain the MCBA Core Certificate in Book Arts, and must be prepared to conceptualize and execute independent projects that require proficiency in one or more areas of book arts.
To complete this certificate, a student must complete at least 120 hours of classes in two categories: C (Advanced-level classes and Guided Projects) and D (Electives), as well as the 18-hour Book Arts Seminar, then must mount a culminating exhibition of a body of work in MCBA's bindery gallery space.
Category C Classes
These classes are designed for advanced students, and are of two sorts: technique-based, which build skills and develop advanced techniques, and guided projects, which allow students to work with the supervision of an experienced artist and community of peers on a project of the student’s design. Any student pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts must complete 100 hours of Category C Classes.
Sample Technique-Based Category C Classes
- Extreme Boxmaking
- Advanced Binding II: Full-Leather Binding on Raised Cords
Sample Guided Projects Category C Classes
- Advanced Letterpress: Guided Projects
- Advanced Bookbinding: Guided Projects
- Advanced Papermaking: Guided Projects
- Artist’s Book: Guided Projects
Category D Classes
These classes generally deal with a specific technique, such as a single binding or printing process. Electives are generally open to students at all levels of expertise. Any student pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts must complete 20 hours of Category D Classes.
Sample Category D Classes (selected from Fall 2010 course catalog)
- Journal Practice: Collage and Sketching
- Making a Good (Or Golden!) Impression
- Paper As Narrative
- Experiments in Pressure Printing
- Brush, Ink, Breath: Sumi-E As Meditation
- Presentation Portfolios
- Ephemera Revisited: Collage Cards
- Concertina Book Structures
Book Arts Seminar
The Book Arts Seminar will be taught once a year in the fall, and will feature a series of six lecture courses taught by artists and/or scholars in the book arts. The Seminar will be designed to give participants a thorough grounding in issues in contemporary book arts, as well as historical dimensions of book and book arts culture. Topics to be covered may include: surveys of contemporary artists' books or fine bindings, histories of bookbinding techniques and tools, special collections libraries and book arts collections, theoretical issues in book arts scholarship, or professional practices in the field. Any student pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts must complete the Book Arts Seminar. This class will also be open to the public.
FORMS
Certificate Enrollment form (last updated 1-18-11)
Download PDF format
Download Microsoft Word format
Core Certificate Tracking form (last updated 1-18-11)
Download PDF format
Download Microsoft Word format
Advanced Certificate Tracking form (last updated 1-18-11)
Download PDF format
Download Microsoft Word format
If you have any trouble with the downloadable forms, or need hard copies mailed to you, please contact certificate@mnbookarts.org.
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