Jerome Residency & Mentorship

Since 1985, MCBA has partnered with the Jerome Foundation to help early career artists push the boundaries of contemporary book arts by supporting the creation of new work.

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Residency

Mentorship

Mentorship

The MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Mentorship is an artist development program aimed at introducing book arts to early career artists whose primary medium is in another discipline.

There are many reasons to explore book arts as a new artistic medium. As a highly malleable and versatile form of expression, book arts extend the possibilities of other art forms. You can create a conceptual space. Experiment with sequence and visual or verbal narrative. Use book art forms to extend, explore, document or reexamine work produced in other artistic disciplines. The yearlong residency, complete with group critique sessions, culminates in an exhibition in MCBA’s Main Gallery. The goal of this program is to encourage creation and exhibition of new and compelling artwork, strengthen skills and career development, and deepen relationships in the book arts community.

2026 Application Timeline

Application opens Wednesday, July 1st

Virtual information session Wednesday, July 22nd at 6pm

Application closes Sunday, August 9th at 11:59 pm

Please read full application Guidelines

Apply Here!

Residency

Every two years, the MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Residency Program awards three early career book artists based in Minnesota with $3,000, 24/7 studio access for one year, and a discount on Artist Collective membership after completion of the residency.

The yearlong residency, complete with group critique sessions, culminates in an exhibition in MCBA’s Main Gallery. The goal of this program is to encourage creation and exhibition of new and compelling artwork, strengthen skills and career development, and deepen relationships in the book arts community.

Questions?

Please contact our Director of Exhibitions & Artist Programs for questions and assistance:

Anika Schneider
aschneider@mnbookarts.org
612-215-2528

Congratulations to the 2024 Jerome Mentorship Recipients!
Featured
Announcing our 2024 Jerome Mentorship Recipients
Announcing our 2024 Jerome Mentorship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2024 Jerome Mentorship Recipients, Yasmin Yassin, Gabi Estrada, and Drew Arrieta!

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEROME FOUNDATION

Since 1985, the Jerome Foundation has helped artists push the boundaries of contemporary book arts by supporting the creation of new work.

Under the previous eighteen series of residencies and our nine series of mentorships, this program has served Minnesota artists of diverse disciplines, including printers, papermakers, bookbinders, painters, sculptors, poets, photographers, choreographers, filmmakers, and others. With projects ranging from exquisitely-crafted fine press volumes and documented performances to one-of-a-kind installations, Minnesota early career artists have created work that  breaks the bindings and redefines conventional notions of book form and content.

Past Jerome Residents

Past Jerome Mentees