March 6, 2019
Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) was presented with the Award for Institutional Achievement by the American Printing History Association (APHA) for its work promoting, preserving, and educating communities to the printing arts over MCBA’s history. The award was presented on Saturday, January 26, at APHA’s annual meeting at the Grolier Club in New York City, and was received by MCBA’s Board Chair, K.C. Foley.
The APHA awards committee selected MCBA for this award to further recognize and celebrate more than three decades of book arts programming focused on building and supporting communities where printing is a central interest and value. APHA awards chair, Amanda Nelsen, said, “I applaud the breadth of educational programming and areas of outreach MCBA has provided. I hope that this award presented during a time of leadership transition will inspire additional financial support for MCBA and enable the organization to further share the art and history of printing with all individuals.”
In 1976 the American Printing History Association established an annual award to be presented “for a distinguished contribution to the study, recording, preservation or dissemination of printing history, in any specific area or in general terms.” At first only individuals were eligible, but in 1985 a second award was established for institutional achievement.
“It is an incredible honor for Minnesota Center for Book Arts to be recognized by APHA for its work preserving printing with the book arts,” said K.C. Foley, MCBA’s Board Chair. “This recognition is a tribute to the work of many people, starting with Jim Sitter and the original board, as well as the many book artists, executive directors and staff, board and co-op members who contributed to MCBA over the past 34 years. It is also a great way to start our next era under Elysa Voshell, our 7th Executive Director.”
Voshell, who joined MCBA in late January, states, “I am so honored that the American Printing History Association has recognized MCBA for providing access to the power of print for people of all ages through our educational programs, and serving as a crucial link between the tools and techniques of printing history and their contemporary applications.”
About Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Founded in 1983, Minnesota Center for Book Arts is a nonprofit visual arts center that provides educational and artistic programming in the book arts, which encompass bookbinding, letterpress printing, papermaking, and more. With over 12,000 sq. ft of studio, classroom, and professional gallery space, MCBA serves emerging and established artists, youth, schools, libraries, arts organizations, collectors, and lifelong learners and appreciators of the book. MCBA is located in the historic Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, alongside partner organizations The Loft Literary Center and Milkweed Editions. To learn more, visit www.mnbookarts.org.
About American Printing History Association
The American Printing History Association (APHA) is a membership organization that encourages the study of the history of printing and related arts and crafts, including calligraphy, typefounding, typography, papermaking, bookbinding, illustration, and publishing. The organization does this through a wide variety of programs and services: the annual three-day conference and Lieberman Lecture series; the oral history project; the fellowship program; the scholarly journal Printing History and other special publications; annual individual and institutional awards that honor distinguished achievement in the field of printing history. To learn more, visit www.printinghistory.org.