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.

By Design Teen Artist Program
MCBA’s By Design program supports emerging teen artists 14 to 18 years of age. MCBA provides mentorships, designated studio space, exhibition opportunities, and a safe environment for teens of varied expertise and economic and cultural backgrounds. Teens explore the exciting media related to book arts (drawing, painting, printing, comics, zines, writing, papermaking, etc.) as a contemporary means of artistic expression.

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. New in 2006 was a stipend for work of extraordinary merit.

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.