Book Arts Certificate
Minnesota Center for Book Arts plays a leading role in training and supporting the next generation of book artists.
MCBA offers two Certificate programs of study, to recognize dedicated individuals who complete a significant number of workshops in book arts and demonstrate knowledge and experience across book arts disciplines.
The Core Certificate in Book Arts is designed to recognize the work of individuals who build skills and knowledge in fundamental book arts processes, as well as an in-depth understanding in one or more areas or techniques. Enrollees must complete a uniform Core Curriculum, as well as a number of elective workshops within defined categories.
After earning the Core Certificate, individuals may choose to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Book Arts. The Advanced Certificate is designed to recognize and support the work of individuals who engage in advanced-level workshops, independent projects, and professional practices in one or more areas of book arts.
Benefits of Participating
MCBA Core and Advanced Certificates recognize proficiency in book arts practices and earn individuals the following benefits:
- Individuals enrolled in the certificate program will receive a 20% discount on workshop tuition.* This discount remains in place throughout participation in the program as long as enrollees maintain active MCBA membership (which accounts for 10% of the discount).
- Opportunity to connect with other artists and makers in MCBA’s community through workshops and events
- Core and Advanced Book Arts Certificate graduates are acknowledged in MCBA’s e-newsletter and receive letterpress printed certificates to honor their achievement.
- Core Book Arts Certificate graduates continue to receive a 20% discount on tuition as long as they maintain active MCBA membership.
- Advanced Book Arts Certificate graduates are invited to participate in MCBA’s Artist Collective at a temporarily reduced rate.
*Those registering for workshops with a scholarship are not eligible to receive the 20% discount on workshop tuition in addition to the scholarship.
Application Process
To enroll in the Core Certificate in Book Arts, individuals must have taken 25 hours of MCBA workshops (virtual and/or in person) and they must be active members of MCBA. Individuals who meet the above criteria may complete and submit a Certificate Enrollment form to MCBA’s Workshop Manager. Within 2–3 weeks, MCBA staff will verify enrollment and share next steps for workshop registration (using the 20% discount) and tracking participation on the Core Certificate Tracking form.
Graduates of the Core Certificate in Book Arts are automatically enrolled in the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts.
Tracking Participation and Graduation
Individuals are expected to track their own progress toward their certificate using the Core Certificate Tracking form and/or the Advanced Certificate Tracking form. Credit hours and categories are listed with workshop descriptions for current workshops and both virtual and in-person workshops are eligible. Once an individual has completed the required workshop hours for a certificate, they may submit their tracking form to MCBA’s Workshop Manager.
New enrollees can receive retroactive credit for workshops taken no more than five years prior to the date of their certificate application. For support in determining past workshop participation and other questions about the Book Arts Certificate program that are not addressed here, please contact MCBA’s Workshop Manager.
Graduates will be recognized for their achievement with a letterpress printed certificate after their tracking form has been reviewed by staff (please allow one month for this process). Graduates are acknowledged publicly each fall in an e-newsletter featuring certificate graduates and their work.
Forms
Certificate Enrollment form
Download (PDF format)
Core Certificate Tracking form
Download (PDF format)
Advanced Certificate Tracking form
Download (PDF format)
If you have any trouble with the downloadable forms, or need hard copies mailed to you, please contact MCBA’s Workshop Manager.
Core Certificate graduates
Christine Anderson
Kirsten Annexstad
Aviva Aviel
Renee Belina
Sue Bjerke
Jenna Bluhm
Timothy Brock
Betsey Buckheit
Pamela Burkley
Brenda Butler
Parry Cadwallader
Elizabeth Carls
Denise Clemen
Nicole Crashell
Meryl DePasquale
Sarah Dimick
Barbara Eijadi
Patricia Federico
Christopher Foster
Debra Frances Plett
Carol Garner
Barbara Gibson
Cindy Gipple
Tari Goerlitz
Sylvia Gonzalez
Morgan Grace Willow
Marvel Gregoire
Karen Hokanson
Monica Howell
Heather Isaacs
Laurel Jedamus
Karen Kinoshita
Karen Bjork Kubin
Sarah Lee
Mary Lee
Kelli Lien
Luis Maldonado
Barb McLean
Ash Meyer
James Meyers
Scott Miller
Linda Montana
Patrick Mulrooney
Lisa Nordmeyer
Chaz Nove
Paul Nylander
Jacquelyn Peck
Barbara Portwood
Becka Rahn
Matthew Ramirez
Olga Ricalde Moreno
Stephanie Rosso
Karine Rupp-Stanko
Cathy Ryan
Heidi Schallberg
CB Sherlock
Jessica Shimek
Chris Silker
Dana Slowiak Bloedorn
Sarah Solbrig
Kate Sophia
Sarah Stengle
Amber Stoner
Dawn Tevis
Jill Weese
Mary Witkus
Laurie Wright
Advanced Certificate graduates
Sheila Asato
Suzanne Asher
Sue Bjerke
Gretchen Blase Kreidler
Elizabeth Carls
Helen Carlson
Denise Clemen
Marianne Davis
Stephanie Dickson
Christine Dockry
Stacy Gabriel
Cindy Gipple
Georgia Greeley
Frederic Gustafson
Rebecca Hranj
Frank Hurley
Renee King
Lin Lacy
Mary Lee
Sarah Peterson
Olga Ricalde Moreno
Jill Weese
Cynthia Werner
Laurie Wright
Chris Silker
Curriculum: MCBA Core Certificate in Book Arts
To complete this certificate, individuals must complete at least 140 hours of workshops in three categories: A (Introductory workshops and Core Curriculum), B (Intermediate-level workshops), and D (Electives).Category A Workshops
These workshops, which include a core curriculum that acquaints individuals with the fundamental tools and techniques of book arts, are geared toward beginners. Individuals pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 60 hours of Category A Workshops, including at least one workshop each in design/content, papermaking, printing, and bookbinding.
Core Curriculum (required)
– Letterpress 1: Printing Basics or Introduction to Screen Printing or Alternative Printmaking at Home (virtual)
– Introduction to Hand Bookbinding or virtual case binding workshop
– Japanese Papermaking or European Papermaking or DIY Papermaking at Home (virtual)
– Design or content development focus (offered with varying focus)
Additional Sample Category A Workshops
– Letterpress 2: Setting Type
– Introduction to Marbling
– Box Building for Beginners
– Non-Linear Artist’s Books (virtual)
Category B Workshops
These workshops are geared toward deepening knowledge of the processes and materials introduced in Category A Workshops. Enrollment in these workshops often carries a prerequisite (usually a Category A workshop in the same discipline). Individuals pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 40 hours of Category B Workshops. In some cases (such as Letterpress 2: Setting Type), it may be permissible to repeat a workshop for credit toward the certificate.
Sample Category B Workshops
– Letterpress 3: Two-Color Postcards
– Book Repair
– Screen Print: Guided Projects
– Marbling Focus: Stones & Moire
– Box Building: Drawers & Dividers
– Mechanical Spine Binding (virtual)
Category D Workshops
These workshops generally deal with a specific technique, such as a single binding or printing process. Electives are usually open to individuals at all experience levels. Individuals pursuing the Core Certificate in Book Arts must complete 40 hours of Category D Workshops.
Sample Category D Workshops
– Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
– Origami Lantern
– Screen Print Cards
Curriculum: MCBA Advanced Certificate in Book Arts
To be a candidate for the MCBA Advanced Certificate in Book Arts, individuals must first earn the MCBA Core Certificate in Book Arts, and must be prepared to conceptualize and execute independent projects that require proficiency in one or more areas of book arts.
To complete this certificate, individuals must complete at least 120 hours of workshops in two categories: C (Advanced-level workshops and guided projects) and D (Electives), in addition to attendance at three MCBA-hosted artist talks, panels, or exhibition openings, where artists speak about their work (this includes both in-person and virtual events). Candidates of the Advanced Certificate must also display their book arts work publicly and submit documentation with the Tracking form once complete. This might be an in-person solo or group exhibition in a gallery, library, or coffee shop; or, a new website, blog, or active social media account that features the candidate’s artwork. Documentation may include a postcard, images, email marketing, or links to websites of the public exhibit or book arts workshop.
Category C Workshops
These workshops are designed for advanced participants, and are of two types: technique-based, which build skills and develop advanced techniques, and guided projects, which allow participants to work with the supervision of an experienced artist and community of peers on a project of the individual’s design. Individuals pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts must complete 100 hours of Category C Workshops.
Sample Category C Workshops
– Box Building: Drawers & Dividers
– Visual Poetry and Artist’s Books
– Developing Contemporary Marbling Patterns
– Cloud Paper: Reverse Pulp Painting
– Book Arts Project Planning
– Screen Print: Guided Projects
Category D Workshops
These workshops generally deal with a specific technique, such as a single binding or printing process. Electives are usually open to individuals of all experience levels. Individuals pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Book Arts must complete 20 hours of Category D Workshops.
Sample Category D Workshops
– Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
– Origami Lantern
– Screen Print Cards