Jerome Residency

MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Residency

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Application Cycle:
The application cycle for the 2021–2022 residency has closed.

The MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Residency Program (formerly known as the MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Fellowship) awards three $3,000 awards and studio access to Minnesota-based early career book artists in a year-long residency from October, 2021–November, 2022. The goal of this program is to encourage the creation and exhibition of new and compelling artwork, strengthen skills and career development, and deepen relationships in the book arts community. During the residency, three artists (or collaborative groups) will receive:

        • $3,000 project stipend
        • Educational stipend of $350 to be used for workshops or custom tutorials
        • 24/7 access to MCBA studios and technical assistance
        • One-year MCBA membership (10% discount on all workshops, 10% discount in the Shop, and invitations to exhibition openings and special events)
        • Participation in group critiques with MCBA staff and guest critics
        • Recognition through a culminating exhibition in MCBA’s Main Gallery
        • Professional documentation of exhibition artwork

Studios and Equipment

MCBA is a 12,000-square foot space with two galleries, a Shop, library, rare book arts equipment, and specialized studios, including a bookbindery, darkroom, and studios for letterpress printing,  screen printing, and papermaking.

The MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Residency is open to:

        • Book artists who create work that falls within the book arts context, including but not limited to letterpress printing, screen printing, intaglio, bookbinding, box-making, papermaking, or paper decoration. Book art, broadly defined, includes work that embodies narrative, instruction, reference, mapping, guides, documentation, and more. As an interdisciplinary art form, book arts may include other mediums such as photography, other forms of printmaking, installation, sculpture, and film.
        • Early career artists who are in the early stages of their creative development with 2–10 years of generative experience, and have a focused direction and goals, even while still developing their artistic “voice.” They have yet to be substantially celebrated within their field, the media, funding circles, or the public at large. Early career artists are vocational (as opposed to avocational, academic, amateur or educational) artists. Read more information about the Jerome Foundation’s definition of early career artist here
        • Artists who have lived in Minnesota for at least one year prior to the Residency deadline (September 3, 2020).
        • Artists who are available to participate in all aspects of the program.

Artists are not eligible for this residency if they are:

        • A degree seeking full-time/part-time student
        • A staff member of MCBA
        • A prior recipient of any McKnight Fellowship
        • A two-time prior recipient of the MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Fellowship
        • A recipient of the MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Fellowship from 2019–2021

The MCBA / Jerome Book Arts Residency, administered by Minnesota Center for Book Arts, is made possible by the generous support of the Jerome Foundation. MCBA and the Jerome Foundation encourage artists representing diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment for help with your application, please contact Anika Schneider, Director of Exhibitions & Artist Programs, at aschneider@mnbookarts.org or 612-215-2528.

Information Session

Questions about the residency program, eligibility requirements, or the application process? Watch the pre-recorded info session below.


About the Jerome Foundation

The Jerome Foundation, created by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill (1905-1972), seeks to contribute to a dynamic and evolving culture by supporting the creation, development, and production of new works by early career/emerging artists. The Foundation makes grants to early career artists and those nonprofit arts organizations that serve them in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. The Foundation’s highest priority is to support artists early in their careers who create work that is and/or has the potential to be:

Compelling – offering distinctive vision and authentic voice

Deeply considered, imaginative, and executed – working with attention to craft and with technical proficiency, providing artistic experiences that communicate unique perspectives and invite viewers to question, discover, and explore new ideas in new ways

Innovative and risk-taking – engaging, questioning, challenging or re-imagining conventional artistic forms. Innovation and risk-taking are Jerome Foundation values that reflect the foundation’s interest in supporting artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are expanding ways of working, asking questions, and inspiring new ways of imagining.

For more information about the Jerome Foundation, click here.



Past Jerome Fellows