MCBA Prize

Deadline: March 6, 2009 by 5:00 p.m. (RECEIVED)

MCBA Prize
Minneapolis, MN
The five finalists will be announced June 1, 2009
The winner will be announced at a gala event on July 25, 2009


The MCBA Prize recognizes and promotes excellence in new work from across the expressive spectrum of book art. This biennial award is meant to represent the diversity of book art and encourage discussion rather than limit recognition to one aspect of this vital field.

Integrity will determine the winning work. Integrity refers to a unity of form, materials and content that reflects an artist’s vision.

Book art in a broadly defined field includes work that embodies narrative, instruction, reference, mapping, guides, documentation, and more. It is work that engages the viewer and propels the experience forward through narrative, sequencing, spatial elements, visual or verbal language, temporal, mechanical, aural, typographic, symbolic or material means.

Forms, processes, traditions and approaches are open. Work may include unique book objects, altered books, graphic novels, 'zines, concrete poetry, conceptual, visual and literary works. Processes may include any printing or printmaking methods such as photo-mechanical, hand-worked, analog/digital, relief printmaking, letterpress, intaglio, and screen-printing, as well as hand-lettering. Works may be in edition or unique.

The finished work can depart from a bound book format to engage metaphors of the book in sculpture or installation. Work can be created collaboratively, but ultimately must result from an artist or artists’ vision and active participation.

The primary impetus for the creation of the work must come from the vision of the artist or artistic collaborators. Related works on paper (broadsides, prints, photographic portfolios), journals or diaries, scrapbooks and blank books will not be
considered for the award, as well as video and film unless it is integral to an installationthat embodies the qualities
described above.

Awards
5 Finalist Awards: $500 award, free participation in the Book ArtBiennial and $750 travel and lodging stipend if the finalist chooses to attend the Biennial
1 Winner: $2000 award (in addition to $500 finalist award, free participation in the Biennial and $750 travel and lodging stipend)

Jury and Criteria
Work will be judged by a three-member jury comprised of John Risseeuw, Artist and Printmaking Professor, Arizona State University, Ruth Rogers, Special Collections Librarian, Wellesley College; and Scott McCarney, book artist, designer and educator.

Awards will be granted based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, originality, creativity, content integration, unity of form, craftsmanship, reader/viewer engagement and conceptual strength.

Eligibility and Restrictions
All artists who use the book format as their primary means of expression are eligible to apply. Accepted works may range from hand-printed fine press books, to inexpensive pamphlets, to one-of-a-kind sculptural works that reference the role of the book in contemporary society. All techniques, approaches and methods of creative expression will be considered.
 Work must have been completed since January 1, 2007
 Students are not eligible nor is work completed as part of a degree-granting program
 MCBA staff and Board Members are not eligible
 Collaborative works are eligible with the consent of all involved

Entry Fee
$35.00 per entry. Multiple entries will be accepted with sufficient payment.

Deadline for Entries
Entries must be received and logged by MCBA staff no later than 5 pm, March 6, 2009. Mail submissions (do not email entries) to: MCBA Prize, 1011 Washington Ave South, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA

Submission Requirements
Entries must be submitted on a CD. Multiple entries should be submitted on multiple CDs.

For further details, submission guidelines and entry forms for The MCBA Prize, download the prospectus.

Visit website for additional details: mnbookarts.org

For More Information Contact:
Jeff Rathermel,
MCBA Artistic Director
jrathermel@mnbookarts.org