The Fore Edge
Looking for acquisition opportunities? Let us introduce you to a range of artists working at the forefront of the book arts landscape!
The Fore Edge is a quarterly newsletter sent to curators and librarians at universities and institutions across the country. Its purpose? To highlight artists’ books and zines available for acquisition.
Acquired pieces are added to Library Special Collections and become resources for students, faculty, and members of the public. Some public libraries, like the Hennepin County Library, even have a zine collection with pieces available for browsing and borrowing. Work featured in the Fore Edge includes artists’ books and zines by artists in MCBA’s Artist Consignment Program and/or exhibiting artists with work in MCBA’s Gallery.
Mare Nostrum, Al Motawaset by Islam Aly. Acquired by the University of Michigan.
The Fore Edge Fair: An Online Artist Book Sale
MCBA’s Fore Edge Fair is a new initiative to spread awareness of the Fore Edge and highlight artwork available for acquisition. Selected artists’ books and zines are spotlighted in an online artist book fair and available for acquisition through our online shop.
Our next fair will be in Spring 2027 so mark your calendars! Check back here for the submission timeline. We’ll feature 20-30 pieces in the collection, all reviewed and selected by a jury.
Artists with selected works for the Fore Edge Fair become part of MCBA’s Artist Consignment Program, and their selected piece(s) stay in MCBA inventory for at least one year after the Fore Edge Fair (or until sold). Consignment artists receive a 60/40 split, with 60 percent of the sale price paid out to the artist. Current consignment artists are welcome to submit work. All artists will be notified of sales of their work and the name of the acquiring institution.
If you have any questions about Fore Edge or Fore Edge Fair, please contact Annie Schiferl (Director, Retail & Visitor Services, aschiferl@mnbookarts.org) and Anika Schneider (Director of Exhibitions & Artist Programs, aschneider@mnbookarts.org)